Water Problem of North Gujarat and Big Dams

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.