A booklet written by former MLA and once the
minister of Narmada Project in Gujarat Government, Mr. Jay Narayan Vyas gives
insights into why it is watershed management and decentralised water
conservation programmes that can solve water crises of drought prone area of
North Gujarat and not big dams like Sardar Sarovar Project. In fact, Mr. Vyas writes,
“Downstream areas have suffered economic losses because of the construction of dams
such as Dantiwada and Mukteshwar. Water stored in dams built in Sabarkantha
district has been allocated elsewhere instead of being given priority for
irrigation in North Gujarat.”
This booklet, by Mr. Vyas, is to understand
as he writes, “how can water resources be managed and planned effectively in
the context of North Gujarat” and that, “Even if only one per cent of
the ₹10,000 crore allocated to the Narmada Project were invested in land and
water management schemes, countless lives and livelihoods in North Gujarat
could be protected.”
This booklet is now available in Gujarati in digitised
form at the archives at National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru https://catalogue.archives.ncbs.res.in/repositories/2/archival_objects/11556
However,
as the booklet is in Gujarati, I am reproducing select excerpts here for wider
readership for knowledge and insights only and in greater interest to move
towards addressing the problem of water in the water scarce regions of Gujarat.
Translation of select excerpts for education
purposes only:
Map of Command area of Irrigation Projects in North Gujarat- see the digitised booklet made available by NCBS
There is no option other than keeping water at
the centre stage in any scheme for North Gujarat’s development.
Jay Narayan Vyas
MLA, Siddhpur [North Gujarat]
A farmer in North Gujarat draws water from
depths of up to 900 feet for irrigation because the groundwater table has
fallen drastically. The high cost of electricity leaves little or no room for
profit from farming. Today, farmers in North Gujarat are in search of an
adequate, reliable, and affordable water supply for irrigation…
There is widespread discontent over
electricity tariffs, as farmers in North Gujarat pay more than twice as much
for electricity as the effective cost of water supplied through canals in
certain regions. For a farmer, electricity is simply a means of accessing water…
Over the years, no irrigation projects have
been implemented to address the specific water challenges of this region. If
this situation continues, there will soon be no groundwater left to pump,
regardless of the availability of electricity. If that happens, what will the
agriculture and livestock-based economy of North Gujarat depend on?
…The meaning of development is different for
different people. As a poet once observed, each person has their own vision of
development. Some would say that development means roads and electricity
reaching villages…But will the exploitation of people living below the poverty
line end simply because roads and industries reach villages? Others argue that
farmers should be given free electricity to pump water from a depth of 900
feet. But will such a policy be sustainable in the long run if any state
government provides free electricity?
In all these debates, one important reality
is often forgotten. Farmers do not need cheap electricity. Because there are no
irrigation projects that can provide them with an adequate and reliable supply
of water, they are still forced to draw water from deep underground. Farmers
have neither a personal interest in nor a desire to draw water from a depth of
900 feet. They do so only because they have no alternative. If they do not,
they cannot survive…
The groundwater contains high levels of
fluoride and salinity. According to research by Dr. Shailesh Shah of the
Urological Society of India, the incidence of kidney stones is increasing in
Gujarat. Out of every 100 people, 25 to 30 suffer from kidney stones. The
problem is more prevalent in the regions of Saurashtra and North Gujarat.
In Mehsana district and in several villages
of North Gujarat, people consume water with high fluoride content. This leads
to fluorosis, a disease that affects the bones and joints, causing pain and
stiffness. There is no medicine for this disease.
…The dairy industry, which is closely linked
to agriculture, has developed significantly in the three districts of North
Gujarat. According to estimates, Mehsana district alone produces more than 40
crore litres of milk each year. Income from dairy farming sustains village
economies to a considerable extent. The region also includes the tribal belt of
North Gujarat, comprising the Amirgadh, Virampur, Ambaji, Shamlaji, Meghraj,
Palanpur, and Danta talukas of Banaskantha district, as well as the Khedbrahma,
Vijaynagar, Bhiloda, and Meghraj talukas of Sabarkantha district…
Water: A Basic Necessity
These tribal areas and forests also require
an adequate supply of water to sustain life. The development of forest
resources is essential for the overall development of tribal communities. In my
view, water is the most fundamental requirement not only for the development of
North Gujarat but for every aspect of life. For North Gujarat, water is truly a
matter of life and death. It is indispensable for both agriculture and
livestock. It is for this reason that this subject has been chosen: how can
water resources be managed and planned effectively in the context of North
Gujarat?
Rainfall in India
On average, India receives abundant annual rainfall. If
we analyse data gathered from 2,600 places in India between 1901 and 1970, then
the average comes to 117 cm. Considering India's geographical size, this is
among one of the highest average rainfall levels in the world. Even if rainfall
varies by 20 per cent above or below the average—a probability that is
relatively low—the country still receives an enormous quantity of water… It is
estimated that about 44 per cent of India's rainfall infiltrates the ground.
Nearly half of India's rainfall occurs at an intensity of
about 5 cm or more in a single hour. In areas without adequate forest cover,
nearly 67 per cent of this water flows away as runoff. As a result,
approximately one tonne of soil per hectare is lost through erosion during such
heavy rainfall, while during less intense rainfall the soil loss is about half
a tonne per hectare. Soil erosion is comparatively lower in afforested areas.
However, comprehensive data are not available on the extent of soil erosion in
regions receiving different levels of rainfall across the country.
Water Problem in North Gujarat
The groundwater used in the Mehsana, Banaskantha, and
Sabarkantha districts of North Gujarat is not recently recharged water. It is
fossil water that has accumulated over thousands of years. Not a single river
in North Gujarat is perennial. Even the Sabarmati cannot be regarded as a
perennial river, as water flows in it only during the monsoon…
Known as a dry region, North Gujarat has long been
characterised by chronic water scarcity and is frequently affected by drought…Droughts
that have occurred since 1900 can be classified into three categories: normal
droughts (once every three to seven years), severe droughts (once every seven
to ten years), and devastating droughts (once every fourteen to twenty years).
Groundwater in North Gujarat is mainly found in layers of
sand. It is extracted through open wells, borewells, and artesian wells. The
underground flow of water is from east to west, following the natural gradient
of the land. In the rocky eastern region, groundwater is obtained by drilling
artesian wells, and the number of such wells has increased every year.
The average annual rainfall in North Gujarat is 625 mm.
However, rainfall declined sharply during the drought years of 1985, 1986, and
1987. In 1985, the region received only 381 mm of rainfall; in 1986, 299 mm;
and in 1987, only 175 mm. Consequently, groundwater levels fell by about 1.5
metres in 1985, 3.3 metres in 1986, and approximately 4.5 metres in 1987.
Groundwater levels continue to decline because extraction
exceeds natural recharge. According to information presented in the Gujarat
Legislative Assembly, groundwater levels in North Gujarat fall by an average of
about 5 metres every year.
A few decades ago, wells drilled in the artesian belt of
Banaskantha and Mehsana yielded water. Today, water can be extracted only by
installing pumping machinery. This indicates a substantial decline in
underground hydrostatic pressure.
Groundwater Mining
Twenty to twenty-five years ago, groundwater was
available at depths of only 25 to 30 metres. Today, it is found at depths of
130 to 140 metres. Large numbers of artesian wells are now being drilled for
irrigation and drinking water. Since groundwater extraction exceeds natural
recharge, North Gujarat is effectively mining its groundwater reserves.
Water Quality
Water quality presents another major challenge in North
Gujarat. The quality deteriorates progressively towards the western part of the
region. Groundwater salinity is estimated to be around 3,000 ppm. Because
groundwater is being extracted faster than it is recharged, saline water from
deeper layers of sand and gravel mixes with the freshwater aquifers, increasing
the salinity of groundwater.
Fluoride
High fluoride concentrations have been detected in the
groundwater of several villages in North Gujarat. When the fluoride
concentration exceeds 1.5 ppm, it has adverse effects on human health.
Excessive fluoride causes a disease known as fluorosis. It discolours
children's teeth, turning them yellowish-brown, causes pitting and cavities,
and makes the teeth brittle and prone to breaking. Over time, fluorosis
stiffens the joints of the hands, legs, and back, making even routine movements
such as sitting down and standing up difficult. The progression of this disease
can be prevented only by providing drinking water that is free of excessive
fluoride…
There has long been discussion about supplying drinking
water from the Narmada Project to the fluoride-affected villages of North
Gujarat. However, the proposal prepared in 1990 was repeatedly delayed during
scrutiny by the World Bank and other international financial institutions. At
one stage, the Finance Minister announced a provision to supply water to
Saurashtra through a pipeline. Even during the financial crisis of 1993, it was
confidently stated that ₹100 crore would be allocated for this purpose. However,
similar urgency has rarely been shown for North Gujarat.
If people continue to consume fluoride-contaminated water
for another ten years, severe deformities will become increasingly common. It
is unfortunate that the seriousness of this growing public health crisis has
not received the attention it deserves.
The groundwater situation in North Gujarat is critical.
Despite the implementation of several irrigation schemes, no significant
long-term solution has emerged. New irrigation projects are frequently
announced and included in state budgets, often in response to political
pressure or public demand. However, many remain incomplete because they are
undertaken without adequate financial planning or assured budgetary
allocations.
Narmada Project
According to the Narmada Project report, 27,940 hectares
of land in Chanasama taluka, 69,316 hectares in Sami taluka, and 21,987
hectares in Harij taluka of Mehsana district will receive irrigation water from
the Narmada Canal.
At present, about 287,300 hectares of land in Mehsana
district receive irrigation through various sources. Of this, only 5,500
hectares are irrigated by canal water. After the completion of the Narmada
Project, the irrigated area is expected to increase by 145,139 hectares.
According to one estimate, 212,300 hectares of land in
Banaskantha district currently receive irrigation, of which only 14,600
hectares are irrigated by water from rivers and canals. Once the Narmada
Project is completed, an additional 319,740 hectares of land in the district
will benefit from irrigation.
Across North Gujarat, about 658,200 hectares of land
currently receive irrigation from various sources. With the commencement of
irrigation through the Narmada Canal, the irrigated area will increase by
464,879 hectares. However, the majority of North Gujarat will still not receive
water from the Narmada Project, as shown in Diagram 1.
Mukteshwar Irrigation Project
A dam has been constructed on the Saraswati River near
Mukteshwar. However, the canal network has not yet been developed. If 200–250
cusecs of water were released from the dam each day, the decline in groundwater
levels in the villages around Siddhpur and Patan could be arrested.
The storage capacity of the dam is 15,000 lakh cubic
feet. In addition, it receives inflows from the upstream catchment during the
monsoon. If the water stored during the monsoon were released periodically in
adequate quantities, groundwater levels could be replenished within an area
extending approximately eight to ten kilometres around Kheralu and Vadgam. This
would also substantially increase groundwater storage. In this way, the
benefits of the Mukteshwar Dam could reach the proposed command area even without
the construction of canals. The government has recently adopted a similar
approach to sustain villages downstream of the Dantiwada and Sipu projects.
For the past two years, water from the Mukteshwar Dam has
been released into the Saraswati River, and villages along the river have
benefited from it.
Intensive efforts are needed to restore groundwater in
this region. Following initiatives undertaken during the past two years, the
state government has approved a ₹5 crore scheme to recharge the Saraswati
basin. However, this alone is not sufficient. Similar programmes need to be
implemented on a much larger scale in Siddhpur and other talukas. The question,
however, is whether the government has the financial resources to do so.
The Eighth Five-Year Plan provides an allocation of
₹11,500 crore. Of this amount, ₹3,436 crore has been earmarked for medium and
large irrigation projects. Nearly ₹2,900 crore of this allocation will be spent
on the Narmada Project, leaving very little funding for other irrigation
schemes. In contrast, only ₹232 crore—about two per cent of the total
outlay—has been allocated for small irrigation projects. How can this be
considered adequate?
Even after the completion of the Narmada Project,
groundwater depletion could trigger large-scale migration unless intensive
efforts are made to implement small irrigation projects, recharge groundwater,
and improve water management. People dependent on agriculture and dairy farming
could lose their livelihoods and be forced to migrate from the region in large
numbers. Such an exodus may be less than ten years away. The real question is:
how long will it take for policymakers to awaken to this crisis? Even if
adequate financial resources become available, the problem cannot be solved
without public awareness and strong political will.
At one time, there was a proposal to supply water to
North Gujarat from the Kadana Project. Later, there was discussion of providing
additional water through the Narmada Project. At another stage, there was a
proposal to save North Gujarat by constructing a dam on the Anas River in
Rajasthan. None of these proposals materialised.
A question was raised in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly
asking the Minister for Narmada and Water Resources whether there was any proposal
to supply water to North Gujarat by constructing a dam on the Anas River. The
minister's reply was unequivocally negative.
There was also discussion about supplying additional
water to Mehsana district after the completion of the Narmada Project. However,
that proposal was quietly shelved, and today it appears that no one is
concerned about it.
Post-Narmada Scenario
North Gujarat is expected to derive only limited benefits
from the Narmada Project. Earlier, there was a proposal that once Gandhinagar
and Ahmedabad began receiving Narmada water, 500 cusecs of water would be
released into the Sabarmati canal system to supply additional villages. This
proposal came to be known as the Post-Narmada Scheme.
The scheme was intended to provide water to a number of
villages. However, because of siltation in the canal system, its implementation
is no longer considered feasible.
Although several dams have been constructed in
Sabarkantha district, the surrounding agricultural land has not received the
expected irrigation benefits. At one stage, it was announced that Mehsana
district would receive water through a high-level canal. Later, it was said
that the district would receive Narmada water. When it became evident that only
a limited number of villages in North Gujarat would benefit from the Narmada
Project, the Post-Narmada Scheme was proposed. However, even today there is no
concrete plan whose benefits for the region can be assured.
Agriculture: High Cost of
Production
The cost of agricultural production in Mehsana district
is extremely high because of water scarcity and the high cost of irrigation. As
farming becomes increasingly expensive in North Gujarat, many farmers are
turning to animal husbandry. The steadily increasing milk procurement by the
cooperative dairies of Mehsana, Himmatnagar, and Palanpur demonstrates the
growing dependence of farmers on livestock.
If the water shortage continues, not only agriculture but
also animal husbandry will become unsustainable. People living in water-scarce
areas will eventually be forced to migrate to regions where water is available.
Industrial development has also been concentrated in the
Surat–Vadodara–Kheda belt, where water resources are comparatively abundant.
The cities in this region are already facing pressures associated with rapid
urbanisation… If large numbers of people migrate from the villages of North
Gujarat to these areas, it will create further imbalances in the employment
market. In the years ahead, the water crisis is likely to reshape Gujarat's
economy and create new economic challenges.
Watershed Development: An
Ideal Solution
Rainfall in North Gujarat is highly irregular. In a
typical decade, only three years receive satisfactory rainfall. Since the
region has no perennial rivers, it has become a chronically water-scarce area,
causing considerable hardship for farmers.
Sustained agricultural production requires timely land
improvement, better seeds, appropriate fertiliser use, and effective crop
protection. Watershed development programmes integrate all these measures to
improve farm productivity.
A watershed consists of a main river, its tributaries,
smaller streams, and drainage channels. Since land and water are the two most
important resources for agricultural production, their conservation and
improvement deserve the highest priority.
An intensive sub-watershed development programme was
undertaken in Hirapar village of Anjar taluka in Kutch district. Of the
village's 890 hectares of land, levelling and bund construction were carried
out on 564 hectares of privately owned land. Irrigation facilities already
existed through 30 open wells and one corporation-owned artesian well. In
addition, 291.5 hectares of unirrigated land were brought under the programme.
To prevent soil erosion on government and panchayat
lands, drainage-line treatment, small check structures, and afforestation were
undertaken to retain every possible drop of rainwater. As a result, groundwater
levels were maintained and ecological balance was restored.
Increase in Crop Production
Before soil and water conservation measures were
introduced in the Sakara-7-1 sub-watershed, only 272.5 hectares were under
irrigation. The project included the construction of nalla plugs, irrigation
ponds, check dams, and land conservation works on private lands.
As every possible drop of rainwater was retained and
allowed to percolate into the ground, groundwater levels rose significantly.
Encouraged by the improved water availability, farmers drilled new wells, and
today about 324 hectares are irrigated.
The impact on vegetation has also been remarkable. During
the implementation of the nalla plug programme, approximately 1.85 million
cubic metres of water percolated into the ground. Previously, vegetation in the
area had almost disappeared. Today the landscape has turned green,
demonstrating the direct benefits of water conservation measures.
The project also increased both the cultivated area and
agricultural production. Earlier, cultivation was carried out on 516 hectares;
today it extends over 548 hectares.
Artificial Recharge Programme
for Groundwater in North Gujarat
… Artificial recharge programmes have been successfully
implemented in several countries around the world. Unfortunately, India has not
undertaken such programmes on a sufficiently large scale. Under these
circumstances, experiments in artificial groundwater recharge deserve the
highest priority.
One such experiment was conducted near Hansol village on
the northern bank of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad. A similar experiment was
also carried out along the Saraswati River, and the results were encouraging.
Unfortunately, these groundwater recharge projects were discontinued after a
short period because of administrative indifference.
From the above discussion, it is clear that artificial
groundwater recharge programmes must be implemented urgently in North Gujarat,
particularly in the severely affected Mehsana district and surrounding areas.
For this purpose, the following measures are essential:
1. Existing
ponds should be desilted and restored, and new ponds should be constructed to
collect monsoon runoff for artificial groundwater recharge… Pond near Kheralu
in Mehsana district has remained neglected for years. The embankments of the
Rupen and Kuda feeder channels have been damaged and have received little
attention. The state government should restore this pond under a small
irrigation project. Traditional large village ponds should also be revived and
developed.
2. Water
flowing through the Saraswati and Rupen rivers during the monsoon should be
impounded, stored, and used to the maximum extent possible for artificial
groundwater recharge.
3. Recharge
wells should be constructed so that surplus monsoon water from the Saraswati,
Rupen, and Sabarmati rivers can be directed underground to replenish aquifers.
4. Abandoned
ONGC wells and other failed borewells should be utilised for groundwater
recharge. Where necessary, surface water should be pumped underground through
these wells.
5. Check dams
should be constructed wherever seasonal streams carry monsoon runoff so that
flowing water can infiltrate into the ground. A comprehensive report on this
subject was prepared by the Narmada Water Resources Department in July 1991.
Its recommendations should be implemented without delay.
Seeing the present situation in North Gujarat,
experiments in water management and groundwater recharge should be undertaken
without delay. If the Narmada Project is estimated to cost ₹10,000 crore,
according to government estimates, a large part of North Gujarat will still not
benefit from it.
Ironically, the Irrigation Department's maps show North
Gujarat as an extensively irrigated region because irrigation is carried out
largely through tube wells. In reality, the three districts of North Gujarat
are rapidly moving towards ecological decline, economic devastation, and
large-scale migration.
Even if only one per cent of the ₹10,000 crore allocated
to the Narmada Project were invested in land and water management schemes,
countless lives and livelihoods in North Gujarat could be protected.
There is much discussion about providing drinking water
through pipelines. However, people cannot survive on drinking water alone if
agriculture and animal husbandry collapse. For North Gujarat, water is truly a
matter of life and death.
This is not an individual issue but a collective one.
Looking back at the history of North Gujarat over the past three decades, it is
evident that the region's collective political leadership has largely remained
indifferent to its development. How much longer will it take for those in
authority to awaken from this deep slumber, come together, and raise a strong
voice for the region?
Will You Think About These
Issues?
A scheme is announced to supply drinking water to
Saurashtra through a pipeline. The state budget provides ₹100 crore during the
current year for a project estimated to cost ₹300 crore. There can be no
objection to providing water to Saurashtra and Kutch.
However, the scheme to provide safe drinking water to the
people of North Gujarat, who have long been forced to consume
fluoride-contaminated water, was prepared as early as 1990. Yet, for one reason
or another, it has repeatedly been delayed during scrutiny by the World Bank
and other agencies.
If budgetary provisions can be announced for supplying
drinking water to Saurashtra, why should a similar proposal for North Gujarat
continue to remain pending?
Unless water conservation measures are implemented on a
war footing—through the restoration of ponds, construction of check dams,
groundwater recharge, recharge wells, and small and micro-irrigation schemes
such as watershed development—large parts of North Gujarat may gradually become
barren.
The result will be large-scale migration. Continued
consumption of fluoride-contaminated water will lead to severe deformities, and
future generations of children may suffer lifelong disabilities. We have
remained complacent while this crisis has steadily deepened. How much longer
can we afford to remain asleep?
For North Gujarat, water is a question of life and death.
The problem can be solved only through determined political will.
Let us come together and prevent North Gujarat from
becoming a deserted land.
North Gujarat in the Context
of Water Problems
Agriculture, animal husbandry, and rural life in North
Gujarat—particularly in the districts of Mehsana and Banaskantha—depend on
groundwater extracted from depths of up to 900 feet…These groundwater reserves
are being depleted rapidly. The region has no perennial rivers. Downstream
areas have suffered economic losses because of the construction of dams such as
Dantiwada and Mukteshwar. Water stored in dams built in Sabarkantha district
has been allocated elsewhere instead of being given priority for irrigation in
North Gujarat.
The Narmada Project will bring only limited benefits to
North Gujarat. Of the ₹11,500 crore allocated under the Eighth Five-Year Plan,
only ₹232 crore has been earmarked for small irrigation projects—less than two
per cent of the total allocation. Yet, despite the growing groundwater crisis,
no major programmes have been planned for small irrigation, groundwater
recharge, or comprehensive water management in the years ahead.
