CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS IN INTERSECTORAL ALLOCATION OF WATER :
WATER DISTRIBUTION TO INDUSTRY, IRRIGATION, AND DOMESTIC IN INDIA

Ms. Soorya Vennila, Centre for Water Resources, Anna University, Chennai, India 

Introduction

India is a vast country with extremes of climates. Rainfall varies from 100 mm in western Rajasthan to over 1100 mm at Cherrapunji in Meghalaya.
Viablility (month to month and year to year) of rainfall at the same place is also very high resulting in droughts and floods. One third of the country is drought-prone, while over one-eight is flood prone. India has the total population in the year 1990, 851 millions that is India has 17% of world's population. And the Annual Water Resources (AWR) 2085km3 (5%). The total withdrawals are (DWR) 518 km3 (18%), from which 18 (3%) for domestic 24 m3 (4%) for industrial and for irrigation the more of 569m3 (93%).

I.- Intersectoral Water Demand

Water can be broadly classified as (i) off-stream use and (ii) in-stream use. Off-stream use comprises use of irrigated agriculture, domestic and industrial water supply thermal and nuclear power generation etc.
In-stream use comprises the use for hydroelectric power generation, fisheries, navigation, recreation, etc. Water withdrawn for off-stream use consists of two variables (a) the part returned to the surface water or to ground water aquifers after use (b) the part consumed or not returned to the source after use.

II.- Water Demand for Irrigation

The impressive growth in the output of food grains from around 50 million tonnes in the fifties to about 190 million tonnes at present may be ascribed to three interrelated factors: (a) The large expansion of irrigation facilities which took place after independence and which is containing at a steady pace; (b) the allocative decisions taken by Indian farmers with regard to irrigated acreage being preponderantly titled in favour of cereal crops; and (c) with availability of more reliable irrigation supplies, application of increased doses of fertilisers and newer and better varieties of seeds, use of pesticides and other promotional measures. While the population grows at about 2 percent, the food production should increase by 2.5 percent. Irrigated area should correspondingly increase by 2.5 to 3 percent assuming that irrigated area gives over double food production as compared to rained areas and taking into consideration recent trends towards producing cash crops and fruits in irrigated areas.

In India the net irrigated area (NIA) is 45,144 per 1000 ha (20%), total irrigated withdrawal is 484 km3 (23%) and Annual irrigation intensity is 145%. When withdrawal of gross irrigated area is considered 0.74m/ha per year and the net irrigated area is 0.29 m/ha per year is estimated (Seckler D, 1998) Of all functional water uses, irrigation is the largest user of water, consuming 93% of water at present. This percentage is likely to reduce to 80% by 2025 due to increased urbanisation and Industrialisation.  The 1990 net irrigated area, which is the amount of land equipped for irrigation for at least one crop per year. The estimated annual irrigation intensity, which represents the degree of multiple cropping on the net irrigated area each year, is also given. since there is no international data on irrigation intensity, this parameter is estimated and is subject to significant errors. The withdrawals of water per hectare of gross irrigated area per are shown in terms of the depth of irrigation applied to fields (m/ha). The crop water requirement is based first on estimates of the reference evapo-transpiration rates (ET0) of the irrigated areas in each country during the entire crop season. Once this is obtained, precipitation during the crop seasons (at the 75 percent exceedence level of probability-at least 3 out of every 4 years this amount of precipitation is obtained) is subtracted from ET0  to obtain the "net evapo-transpiration" (NET) requirements of the amount of irrigation water that crops need to obtain their full yield potential.

The ultimate irrigation potential of the country has estimated to be 113 m/ha. It comprises of 58 m/ha from major and medium irrigation projects and 55 m/ha from minor irrigation (40 m/ha ground water and 15 /ha surface water). Recently Central Ground Water Board has revised its potential from 40 m/ha to 64 m/ha. Similarly minor surface potential is likely to increase from 15 m/ha to 18 m/ha. Thus total irrigation potential may be around 140 m/ha. It is expected that inter basin water transfer proposals would add to irrigation potential by 25 m/ha from surface and 10 m/ha from ground water use. The ultimate requirement of water form irrigation is estimated to be 550 Km3 from surface and 320 Km3 from ground water sources. The potential that has been created till the end of 1995 through various irrigation projects is 85 m/ha. Thus the present irrigation development is midway of the ultimate development scenario, but yet exactly one-half of the gains in irrigation due to high effectiveness occur in China and India..

Tamil Nadu which is at southern tip of India has only 0.12 Lakh cft., which is about 7.5 times less than the per capita water resources of India that is 0.9 Lakh cft. In this state almost the entire surface water potential has been harnessed. About 70% of the ground water potential has also been already utilised. This state experiences drought almost once in 3 years. Rainfall data deviation analysis for the past 25 years from 1971 to 1995 shows that most of the district of this state receive deficit rainfall in more number of years. Therefore, the 39,000 irrigation tanks and other major irrigation structures of this state had been almost dry in many years and as a result of this the ground water level is showing a declining trend. Most often, as a result of the intensive use of water by the industries, irrigation domestic and drinking purposes the need for intersectoral allocation according to the demand required, which intern brought forth conflict among the sectors demanding more water for their respective needs.

III.- Industrial Demand of Water

The requirement of water in the industrial sector is high especially in the case of mining, chemicals, fertilisers, petrochemicals, papers, pulp and textiles. No precise estimate of water use by the industry is available. However, rough estimates have been attempted based on prevalent requirements of water use for various industrial products. The water use in the industrial sector is about 15 km3 in the year 1990. It may increase to about 30 km3 by the year 2000 and to 120 km3 by 2025.
Thermal power constitutes the bulk of power generated in India. The total installed capacity (1990) of about 59,000 MW comprises 18,000 MW hydro, 40,000 MW thermal and 1,500MW nuclear power plants do require water for consumptive use. The use of water by the thermal and nuclear power plants in the country in the year 1990 was about 19 km3. It has been estimated that with a projected installed capacity of 1,00,000 MW, the use will go up to 27 km3 by the year 2000 and 71 km3 in 2025.
The total hydro power potential of the country as assessed by the Central Electricity Authority is 84,000 MW at 60% load factor. The present installed capacity is around 18,000 MW. Apart from this, the authority has also identified 56 potential pumped storage schemes with a possible installed capacity 94,000 MW. Hydropower plants as is well known have distinct advantages. They produce cheapest power. They have relatively longer life, outages are less frequent operation and maintenance costs are low and they are low and they are amendable to quick start-stop operation and can vary their outputs rapidly for meeting system peak load demands. Hydroelectric source of power, generation is renewable clean and pollution free. The consumptive use of water for hydropower generation is only by way of evaporation from reservoirs.

A Case Study on Tambiravaruni River Channel

A study conducted at the bank of Tambiravaruni river (runs across Thirunelveli and Tuticorin districts) where a fertiliser industry is set up shows how the conflict emerged between two sectors. Tamiravaruni river which is the prime source of water for the above said two districts. This river as the only source has left the farmers depend on it by and large for irrigation. But a fertiliser company which bloomed at the later part became the major consumer of the water, which has been allotted for irrigation. As the water which was supposed to be given for irrigation was diverted to this industry, the farmers who were in need of water slowly involved in the destruction of the system. This resulted in a conflict between the farmers and the administrators. When the farmers demanded water to be directed to them, the administrators justified that the water used for this industry is also used for agricultural purpose (as fertiliser has become one of the inevitable component of agriculture) and hence they refused to take water which ended up in with a dispute. This dispute now challenges the inter-sectoral allocation for irrigation and it is yet to be resolved by the government.

IV.- Drinking water supply

IV.1.- Kalingarayan Channel

Yet another study conducted in Kalingarayan channel explains how hosiery industries pollute drinking water at the adjoined areas. Kalingarayan channel which is situated near Erode is the only source of drinking water for the people residing around. But because of the Industrial effluents the water lost almost all its quality and now the water has come near to the state of wastewater. The contaminated water, when tested has a lot of dye, cotton residue, and other wastes which may cause hazardous diseases to the consumers. Away from this since the industry has employed so many child labourers who are available at cheaper wages, the pollution easily affects them and as victims they tend to fall sick easily because of Tuberculosis and Skin diseases by the pollution which is present in the air (such as cotton dust and others).

IV.2.- Ambur Region Tanneries and Water Quality

Tanneries are of the major industries in Tamil Nadu, produce industrial water wastes, in the effluent, responsible for water pollution. There are about 530 tanneries in the state producing about 3000 litres of waste water per 100 Kg of hides processed in a day (Mahadevan and Muthukumar 1980) Sastry and Krishnan (1984) have studied the effect of tannery effluent on streams and reported that the discharge of untreated waste water in water courses have been affecting the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water and depleting dissolved oxygen from the water bodies (Hameed 1985). Tannery effluent not only contain nutrients that may stimulated growth of many crops but also have toxic chemicals which may retard germination (Stomberg, Hemphill and Vock 1983).

Seeing this The CAD, Alankuppam which is a pioneering organisation in the rise of awareness and action towards the management of water quality, took action to stop this. The president of the CAD has been instrumental in getting the people to agitate against the deterioration of water quality, which has been and is the greatest concern of the public and farmers. Drinking water has been the focus of agitation during 1984-86. The agitation have resulted in increased awareness of ill-effects of tannery effluent and also actions such as setting up water supply from the Anaimaduvu area. Certain effects on the crops and alternative resistant such as maize, sugarcane, ragi and coconut are also highlighted and become known in the region.

Representations from the District Farmer's Association are also made, on a periodical basis, especially to Collector's grievances hearings. In some cases, individual petitions have also been made to the regional and local administration. Political parties have also done their share of making petitions and representations and their actions were directed at generating public awareness, community action and the redressal by the government for problems relating to water quality management in the Ambur region. Fasts were also conducted in front of the Ambur Commissioners Office in 1984-85. After all these, though the tanneries have officially been closed still the money spinning industries are functioning stealthily.

India which has become at the brink of water scarcity,  now encounters problems in allocating water to the different sectors. To meet the growing challenge of population growth of India, and the increasing number of mouths to be fed, the agricultural production which is need based has to overcome the practical exigencies of the nation, which needs planning from the lower levels that triggers development from local levels to the region, state, and the nation. This long dreamt target can be brought as a reality, when emphasis is on the net production, and the potential contribution of the people in managing water especially water used for agriculture and irrigation.  The use of water in agriculture should therefore be made judicious and efficient.
In order to improve the efficiency in irrigation, it is essential to observe proper operation and maintenance of the distribution system reliability of supply fertility management, diversification of cropping system and adoption of high yield varieties, for which participatory irrigation has to be promoted as a national programme.

References

1.  Z. Hasan, (1996) Proceedings on India: Water Resources Management in 21st Century, New Delhi

2.  David Seckler and etal (1998) Research Report World Water Demand and Supply, 1990 to 2025:
                     Scenarios and Issues, International Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka.

3.  Reassessment of Water Resources potential in India -CWC-1993

4.  Ground Water Resources of  India CGWB- 1995

5.  Water Management-Perspective problems and policies issue- Indian National Academy of Engineering 1990

6.  Water Related Statistics-CWC 1995

7.  Water Management -Need for Public Awareness Theme Paper Water Resources Day 1995-IWRS

8.  "National Water Policy"- Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources 1987