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(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Water Conservation through Community Planning

(June-2023)

Water Conservation through Community Planning

Introduction:

In order to achieve the goals of inclusive growth with equity and social justice, comprehensive development of basic infrastructure is required. A key component of infrastructure needs is organizing adequate, timely, and affordable water supplies to ensure a healthy and economically productive society and to become a water-secure nation. The country receives 1,200mm of rainwater annually and only 6% of that is stored. Therefore, saving and conserving water is imperative to meet the country’s water needs.

Community Participation in Water Conservation:

According to the Indian Constitution, “water” is a matter of state. Therefore, measures to increase, conserve and manage water resources remain the primary responsibility of the respective states.
States’ water conservation efforts are supported through various central government programs with the necessary provisions for technical and financial assistance.
Involving citizens in the management processes of a public development company leads to better results.

Various water conservation initiatives implemented by the states:

Neeru-Chettu

Initiated by – Andhra Pradesh.
It is aimed at collective participation and the spread of awareness to make the state ‘drought proof’ through better water conservation.
The activity involves rejuvenating and re-vitalising water resources through the desilting of tanks and feeder channels, etc.

2. Jal Jeevan Hariyali

Initiated by – Bihar.
It is aimed at encouraging farmers to participate in water conservation efforts of the government and to sensitise them on the use of alternative crops, organic farming, drip irrigation and other technologies with less dependence on irrigation.
It involves the identification, restoration and renovation of all public storage structures- canals, ponds, etc.

3. Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan

Initiated by – Gujarat.
It is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme and the government’s contribution is 60% of the work expenditure.
The project involves deepening of the water bodies before the arrival of the monsoon to enhance storage.

4. Jal Hi Jeevan Hai

Initiated by – Haryana.
It encourages farmers to adopt crop diversification and sow crops which need less water like maize, arhar, etc.

5. Pani Panchayat

Initiated by – Odisha
It aims to ensure optimum utilisation of water as well as improving agriculture production.

6. Jalyukht Shivar Abhiyan

Initiated by – Maharashtra.
The aim is to make Maharashtra drought-free by making 5000 villages free of water scarcity every year.
It involves the deepening and widening of water streams, the construction of cement and earthen stop dams, etc.

7. Mukhya Mantri Jal Swawalamban Abhiyan

Initiated by – Rajasthan.
Through the convergence of schemes of various departments, works are executed through people’s participation by motivating villagers and beneficiaries.
The conservation efforts include managing rainfall, run-off, groundwater and in-situ soil moisture.

8. Mission Kakatiya

Initiated by – Telangana.
The initiative aims at spreading minor irrigation in the state with community participation for sustainable water security.

Water Conservation Initiatives of the Union Government –

India has about 141 million hectares of net-sown area, out of which about 65 million hectares (45%) are currently covered under irrigation of any source. India highly depends on rainfall making cultivation in unirrigated areas a risk-laden, less remunerative and less productive profession. Assured irrigation encourages farmers to invest more in farming technology and inputs, leading to an increase in income and productivity.

Conclusion:

The water conservation programmes would be successful in achieving their objectives only if the community and end beneficiaries are involved in various stages of programme implementation.