Community involvement needed to tackle water issues : Rajendra Singh
20 April 2015 5:17 AM GMT
Water conservationist touches several water issues in an interview
Water conservationist Rajendra Singh
Known better by the moniker ‘Water Man of India’ across the world today, water conservationist Rajendra Singh actually started from a nondescript village in Uttar Pradesh in 1959. The recipient of Stockholm Water Prize, considered the Nobel prize for water, has his imprint in every grain of sand in Aravati river, in Rajasthan, which was considered lost till it drew the attention of his Tarun Barath Sangh. He touches several water issues in this off-the-cuff interview to
K. Karthikeyan.
Q) You insist on involving community in everything. But in the case of the Cooum river, it cuts through the city where there is no community. What’s your suggestion?
True. There is no community in cities. But, once you educate the people about their rights (on the river) and fix liability on them, they will unite and involve. To begin with, educate the youths. They are the real impetus. Involve them and they will bring others in. So, tell them what is the real water carrier (of the Cooum river). Sun is the largest natural desalination plant which evaporates and desalinates water and brings back the same water to people without causing any pollution. This is not taught in any classroom to children. It is not available in any curriculum.
Q) What after community involvement? Where does the actual restoration process start and how?
Once you involve the community, encroachment and further deterioration stops. That solves half the problem. Then, identify the base flow, flood and high-flood plane of the river and notify (on ground and paper) them. The same should be done to the polluting points, which should be demarcated. No source other than the natural (and unpolluted) water source should be allowed to drain into the river. Also, divert treated water for industry or agricultural use. In simple terms, communitise water and natural resources. People should understand that they couldn’t be healthy if water/river is not healthy. Once this realisation happens, people will join. Governments (Centre and states) and local bodies are not bothered about community-driven decentralisation of water resource management. They are only concerned about privatising.
Q) Are you alleging that GoI is not supporting such water initiatives or ignoring people’s issues?
Yes. Government is for privatisation. It had usurped community’s rights (on natural resources like water). The present Union government is also taking land from the people and giving it to contractors and corporates. It is not a people-friendly government. It is a corporate-driven government that only listens to Adanis and Ambanis. Adani is the Gandhi of this government. The 2013 land bill was for rights and the present one (2015 ordinance) is for land acquisition. That says it all. They say farmers will get four times the guideline value. Guideline value is the lowest in the market. What will the farmer get?
Q) You visit Tamil Nadu a day after Karnataka observed a one-day strike against TN on the Mekedatu issue. TN is involved in water disputes with all its neighbours. What would be your solution?
People of both states should come to the negotiation table. They can resolve it jointly without political involvement. Let the farmers of TN and Karnataka hold a dialogue and reach a stakeholders agreement. Thereafter, very little help is required from the governments, which have to give some commitment. Likewise, self-discipline in water management is essential. Crop and water pattern should be linked. Make rules and let local bodies enforce it so that conflicts can be resolved.
Q) The state is widely appreciated for its rainwater harvesting initiatives. What more, according to you, ought to be done to minimise its water woes?
Between 1996 and 1997, Tamil Nadu did a bit in rooftop water harvesting. That is not sufficient. A lot of efforts were made in the last 20 years. It is not adequate. The next five years will be challenging for TN, especially Chennai city. Traditional water sources of the city are not healthy and not properly maintained. But, the demand is growing higher daily. Over 80 per cent of the state’s irrigation demand is met by using groundwater. That is not good. The river’s flow should be maintained. Not disturbed. This is where crop and rain patterns should be linked.
Q) Are you suggesting a ban on sand mining in the state rivers?
Yes. All kinds of sand mining in rivers should be stopped. The government can map areas where it is possible, but definitely not in rivers. Monitoring committees involving communities should be formed to oversee all this.
Q) You have been suggesting a new water pricing unheard-of here. Are you proposing variable or competitive pricing of water? Elaborate.
This is different from water tariff, which is fundamental value and it is very meagre. Poor should get free water. Whoever uses our eco-system a lot, has to
pay more. People, who use less, can pay less. Quantum-wise calculation of
money should be done. The eco-system service money collected from the rich can be utilised as compensatory money to the poor. That
way equal water right is deposited.
Q) But, how will it ensure equitable sharing of water in the cities?
At present, it may not. But in future, it will happen. For that Water Security Act should be implemented.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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