Water really matters

The ugly turn of events in the Cauvery river water dispute between upstream Karnataka and downstream Tamil Nadu is testimony to the extreme emotions people have about sharing water, which is a sensitive issue. In the Cauvery dispute, both sides felt that the other was stealing its water.

As we know, climate change is a major challenge, which is severely affecting the availability of water in terms of quantity and quality. On the other hand, rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have led to increase in demand for water with the advent of commercial farming and electricity generation. The Cauvery is not the only river embroiled in a water-sharing dispute. While Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra are fighting over Krishna river, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa have been at loggerheads over the Mandovi river. These are only two of the many such disputes. However, no state has the power or right to decide or demand how an inter-state river’s water should be distributed, as there exists a mechanism to adjudicate when there is a dispute between two or more states.

As per the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 (ISRWD Act, 1956), when a water dispute arises between two or more state governments, the central government receives a request under Section 3 of the Act from any of the states with regard to the existence of the dispute. In accordance with the Act, the Centre is required to refer the matter to a tribunal after it is satisfied that the issue cannot be settled through negotiations. Accordingly, water disputes related to Cauvery and Krishna were referred to tribunals for adjudication in 1990 and 2004 respectively.

Unfortunately, in Cauvery issue, some people — with the backing of politicians — took the law in their hands. The fact is, when the tribunal takes decisions over sharing of water between two states, it’s the duty of the latter to use their share frugally. States have not only failed to do this but are also playing politics of discontent, as each one wants to grab as much water as possible. It is very easy to ignite people’s sentiments over water issues. In rural areas, it is a well-established fact that additional water increases chances of surplus yield in farms. Hence, when someone tries to grab hold of water, that rightfully belongs to the farmers, they find it unjust and easily get influenced by opportunistic politicians.

The geography of India shows some states have excess water availability while other experience rainwater shortages. As our country depends on the monsoon — which lasts for four months — we have to rely on stored water in dams and other mechanisms for the remaining eight months for agricultural purposes.

This means we have to plan how to use the water we receive in four months, for the entire year. Also, we need awareness programmes on the use of potable water for agriculture. It should be our aim to increase public participation in water schemes. Agriculture universities could help us, but first of all our mindset must change. Indian rivers — including Cauvery — do not have more than 2,000 cubic metres of water available per hectare. For perennial crops, we need 10 to 12,000 cubic metres of water per hectare.

Gujarat’s Saurashtra is the worst hit region in terms of shortages. Hence, farmers here have chosen crops that require less water, and you will not see a single sugar mill in the region. Rajasthan, too, has adopted changes in crop patterns and has agreed to grow oilseeds instead of the cash crop.

On the contrary, in Maharashtra and Karnataka, several sugar mills have shut down due to non-availability of sugarcane. The crop wasn’t produced as a major part of these states have been reeling under drought for the last few years.

Farmers can grow perennial crops by using drip irrigation and greenhouse technology. In Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, farmers should switch from traditional crops such as rice, sugarcane and bananas, which require vast amounts of water. Leaders should also convince farmers to change their crop patterns, as nature does not have sufficient water to allow them to grow the same crop.

Australia and Spain have water basins that are similar to India’s, but you never see protests or burning of buses over water issues there because local governments have educated their people about use of available water. India can look at these countries while deciding its roadmap. Even if India receives more rainfall during the monsoon, the days during which rainfall is seen are likely to decrease. Also, the gap between spells of rain in a single monsoon is increasing, which will aggravate matters. It is said that future wars will be fought over water. The government’s plan to inter-link rivers is an ambitious project, which will get water from the excess basin to the deficit basin. I am hopeful about the implementation of such long-term programmes so that there are no water wars in India.

The author is prestigious Stockholm Water Prize laureate and former chairman, Central Water Commission