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Reviving water management practices

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August 24, 2017

What is the issue?

Amidst drought and looming water crisis, the need for practices like 'Kudimaramath' is increasingly felt.

What is Kudimaramath?

  • In ancient India water was managed through a system of patronage and community control through village councils, particularly in South India.
  • In Tamil Nadu, during the Chola rule, parts of the Grand Anicut canal system which were maintained by the government were known as ‘sarkari’.
  • The lower parts maintained by farmers were known as ‘Kudimaramath’ i.e. people’s maintenance by donation of labour.
  • Under ‘Kudimaramath’, the users were expected to contribute labour for the upkeep and repair of irrigation facilities from time to time.
  • Works on deepening of tanks, strengthening bunds, desilting supply channels and repairing sluices are taken up under 'Kudimaramath'.
  • The institution of ‘Kudimaramath’ witnessed a gradual decay with the advent of the British rule as the management of tanks shifted to a centralised channel namely PWD.
  • Post-Independence too, successive governments failed in their attempts to revive the ‘Kudimaramath’ works.

What is significance of tank irrigation?

  • Tanks have been an important source of irrigation in southern India.
  • They are -
    1. less capital-intensive.
    2. capture the run-off resulting from the unpredictable monsoon rains.
    3. conserve water for multifarious uses like irrigated agriculture, drinking water for cattle and domestic uses.
    4. augment groundwater resources through sub-surface recharge.
  • Rapid urbanisation, dumping community resources into tanks, declining community maintenance, and encroachments have degraded the condition of tanks.
  • Reports suggest that out of 5.56 lakh tanks in the country, only 4.71 lakh tanks are in use leading to a loss of about one million hectares of irrigation potential.
  • Fewer rainy days with increased magnitude are predicted by climate experts in the days to come.
  • Restoring tanks and ponds will ensure adequate water supply even during drought.

What should be done?

  • The cost-effective method of repairing, renovating and restoring the age-old tanks and other small water bodies should be given top priority.
  • It is more likely to succeed if panchayats play a pro-active role in the exercise as in Kudimaramath system.
  • Proper consultation with the stakeholders including the farmers and gram sabhas is essential.
  • The responsibility, authority and control over the development of water bodies could be vested with the beneficiaries or the panchayats which can ensure accountability as well.

 

Source: BusinessLine

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