By- Venkatesh Dutta
India has 18% of the global population, and only 4% of global freshwater resources. The challenges that confront the water sector are enormous, but not insurmountable.
The Ganga river basin contributes to over 40% of India’s GDP and UP covers about 28.68% area of the basin. It has the most fertile land with vast water resource potential – thanks to rivers and water bodies.
With about 4 million tube wells and one of the largest canal networks in the country, UP has about 87% irrigated area while the national average is only 49%.
Groundwater has a prominent share of 70% in irrigated agriculture, while providing about 90% of rural domestic supplies, more than 75% of urban water demands and also meeting about 95% of industrial requirements.
A forward looking water management plan with initiatives under Namami Gange, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal Shakti Abhiyan, UP has all ingredients of being a water positive state. An integrated approach in water resource management can make UP watersecured in future.
Flood plain zoning and developing ‘water sanctuaries’
Flood banks of rivers should be protected as water sanctuaries for natural flood recharge. Aquifers of floodplain are good repositories of groundwater. Flood plain zoning of rivers can protect critical areas. A flood plan zoning Act can also guide development of water-sensitive cities and towns.
Rainwater harvesting
Water harvesting through watershed development, wetlands restoration and ponds can lessen dependency on groundwater. Farm bunds, contour bunds and peripheral bunds are great ways of storing rainwater on the farm. Many farmers have made ‘apna talab’ or farm ponds in Bundelkhand by excavating a pit. This has ensured self-reliance and better yield prospects.
Organic has double benefits
There is a huge scope in organic agriculture. Farmyard manure can substitute about 25% of recommended nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for crops, besides improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Increase in soil organic matter through green manuring, vermi-composting and crop residue management, increases water holding capacity of soil.
Cropping on the basis of agroclimatic zones
UP has distinct variability of climate and soil. Selection of suitable crops and varieties on the basis of soil and climate conditions will save a lot of water and other agri-inputs. With easy access to water and promotion of high yielding varieties, cultivators started shifting to paddy, wheat, and sugarcane. Paddy cultivation in upland should be discouraged and less water requiring crops such as maize, bajra, jowar, urd, moong etc can be incentivized. Regions where there is water stress, pulses, oilseeds and millets need to be promoted.
Precision irrigation techniques need better diffusion
Drip irrigation is an efficient method of providing irrigation water directly into the soil at the root zone of plants. Drip and sprinkler irrigation systems for sugarcane cultivation should be promoted vigorously, and if possible, made mandatory for farmers sowing more than 0.40 ha. Drip irrigation can save water by up to 50% with yield enhancement of 30-50% for many crops. The subsidy on procurement of precision irrigation tools can be provided to companies installing them on a farmer’s field. There is a huge scope of water savings by promotion of sprinklers and drips to pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and sugarcane cultivating farmers.
Improving water use efficiency in irrigation
Irrigated agriculture is expected to produce more in future while using less water. With a 10% increase in irrigation efficiency, 10-20% additional production can be harvested. About 50-60% of rainfall is lost through runoff and evaporation. Tillage, mulching, land levelling and intercropping saves water. The total water used in the intercropping system is almost the same as for mono-crops, but yields are increased. Thus, water use efficiency is higher than mono cropping.
Water recycling and reuse
The treated water from a sewage treatment plant can be used for horticulture, construction and industrial purposes. A system of storage and conveyance will save millions of litres of freshwater.
Engaging in a creative partnership with communities
Local groups like water-user associations, Paani Panchyat, Bhujal Sena and Jal Saheli can be empowered and engaged at block levels to carry out awareness and water conservation activities.
(The author served as an expertmember in the drafting committee of State Water Policy of UP. He is a professor of environmental sciences at Ambedkar University, Lucknow)
