REPORT of WEBINAR on “JAL SHAKTI: WATER CONSERVATION”

REPORT of WEBINAR on

“JAL SHAKTI: WATER CONSERVATION” Jointly Organized by National Institute of Disaster Management and DDMA, West Delhi on 18th June, 2021

INTRODUCTION:- Jal Shakti Abhiyan, launched by the Union Jal Shakti Minister, has begun from 1st July, 2019. It is campaign for water conservation and water security in the country. It is a collaborative effort of various ministries of the Government of India and state governments, being coordinated by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) that comes under the Jal Shakti Ministry. The focus of the campaign is on water stressed districts and blocks. The teams of officers from the central government will visit and work with district administration in 1592 water stressed blocks in 256 districts, to ensure five important water conservation interventions:-

 Water conservation and rainwater harvesting,  Renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks,  Reuse of water and recharging of structures,  Watershed development and  Intensive afforestation.

The Ongoing “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain” campaign (Launched on World Water Day 22nd March, 2021) would ensure water source sustainability in rural areas and would strengthen the ongoing Jal Jeevan Mission being implemented by the Ministry. It covers all rural and urban areas of all districts of the country. National Water Mission, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, is the nodal agency for its implementation. A total of almost Rs. 14,000 Cr worth of water conservation related work is completed/ongoing under the MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) of Dept of Rural Development. The campaign aims at tapping rainwater by constructing artificial recharge structures, revitalizing existing ponds and water bodies, creating new water bodies, provisioning check dams, rejuvenating wetlands and rivers before the onset of monsoon. It is also planned to create a data-base of all water bodies in the country by geo tagging them and using this data to create scientific and data-based district level water conservation plans.

NIDM and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), West Delhi, jointly organized this webinar to propagate further the campaign among the masses. The programme was attended by a huge participation of 791, from Academicians, Research Scholars, Sr. and Middle Management Level Govt. officials, Students, Representatives from Pvt. Organisations, NGOs and other such stakeholders. List of participants is attached with the Report.

OBJECTIVES:-

 Sensitization to the cross cutting issues in the field Water Conservation in India;  Awareness generation about various ongoing schemes of Water Conservation;  Knowledge dissemination with regard to Jal Shakti Mission of Govt. of India;  Discuss issues of water contamination, sewage treatment, recycling of water and behavioural changes required in common man regarding water scarcity and its proper conservation;

INAUGURAL SESSION:-

Mr. Ashish Kumar Panda, Consultant & Faculty Member, ECDRM Division, NIDM, initiated the programme and welcomed everybody. He mentioned that objective of such programmes are sensitization to the cross cutting issues in the field of DRM and DRR, awareness generation, capacity building and knowledge dissemination among all of us. He further mentioned that depletion of water resources due to overuse and decline in water supplies due to climate change is pushing India closer to the tipping point of water scarcity. Clubbed with unscientific agricultural practices which apply over-exploitation of water, it makes India a water-stressed economy. For sustainable utilization of the stressed water resource, there is a need for follow-through action under the framework of cooperative federalism and citizen activism. He spoke about the over exploitation of groundwater, Groundwater being used to cultivate water-intensive crops like paddy and sugarcane (promoted by Green revolution) in rain deficit states like Punjab and Maharashtra, Large, growing gap between irrigation potential created and that actually utilized, Unreliable water data, Rapid Urbanization in India and heightened water demand from households, industry and agriculture, gross under-investment in water treatment and reuse etc. Government of India has come up with schemes like MGNAREGA for water conservation, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, National Water Mission, National Rural Drinking Water Programme, Niti Ayog’s Composite Water Management Index, Formation of Jal Shakti Ministry and the Jal Jeevan Mission of India etc.

Prof. Anil K. Gupta, HOD, ECDRM Division, in his Key Note Address mentioned that Water Crisis is going to be a major existential problem in times to come. He cited example of Chennai to be the new Capetown of India and that there are many such Capetowns in our country as of now. Urban drought is a new important issue of concern. He mentioned that talk on water is not new and cited couplet of poet Rahiman, “Rahiman pani rakhiye bin panish sab sun, pani gae na ubare moti manush chun”. Kautilya Arthashastra also talks about water conservation (Public Administration). Gupta Period examples of community centric water conservation models are very famous. A good quotation is, “Flame of life burns in water”. FRI Dehradun has this famous quotation engraved there, “Vriksh se van, van se jal, jal se anna aur ann se Jivan”. Political relations are often based on Water. There are trans boundary issues viz. Bihar floods on river Kosi and its connection with Nepal. When we discuss water we discuss everything viz public administration, natural resource conservation, science, technology, urban planning, climate change etc. Quantity and quality of water is of utmost importance. For good ground water recharge, every drop of rainfall is important. Water contaminated means health hazards. NIDM is preparing the CPCB Crisis Management Plan on contamination of water. NIDM has also helped in preparation of NADMP. Biggest sector of livelihood in India – Agriculture requires Watershed Management and better Landscape Ecology. Swachchha and Swastha Bharat Abhiyan should work with Jal Mission for co- benefits. Eco restoration of water bodies is essential. He concluded by saying that catch the rain where it falls and conserve it. Evaporation loss has to be minimized. There should be zero discharge. 100% recycling has to be done. If we don’t do it now, one day we will have to follow this route only.

Ms. Kriti Garg, DM, West Delhi, in her Inaugural Address congratulated both NIDM and DDMA, West Delhi for taking such a vibrant and emerging issue for this Webinar. With increasing population across the country, huge migration inflow of people from villages into cities and changing climate conditions in the Indian Peninsula are making water a scarce natural resource in the present times. It would be difficult to manage supply of potable water to all the inhabitants of mega cities if this water conservation programmes are not implemented in letter and spirit. She also mentioned that the Citizens have also to come forward to supplement Government Programmes and Schemes to make it successful. She gave examples of how West Delhi Government is managing this issue efficiently. She wished great success to the programme and hoped that many such programmes will be undertaken by DDMA, West Delhi in future as well.

Shri Dharmendr Kumar, ADM, West Delhi, in his Special Address, welcomed everybody for the programme and said that Water is an important commodity that is often neglected in care and conservation. He cited examples of flood, drought, heat waves, water contamination, excessive population inflow into the cities and behavioural issues of common man in this regard. He emphasized upon urban rain water harvesting techniques, recycling of sewage water, avoiding industrial outflow into Yamuna River and wise use of every drop of water that is available to us. He concluded by saying that until unless we work hard to find solutions to water crisis in time, it is going to be very difficult in future to manage it.

Shri Mohit Kumar, DDMO, DDMA, West Delhi gave the context setting address and highlighted about the details of the programme, the conceptualization, the speakers, their topics and the main objective of conducting such programmes.

TECHNICAL SESSION:-

Shri Ashish Kumar Panda, Consultant and Faculty Member, NIDM delivered the first talk of the programme on, “Water Conservation: Traditional Wisdom in India”. He mentioned that fresh water is a finite resource that is rapidly becoming scarce and especially in India, warming climate is drying up lakes and rivers. Rapid urbanisation and water pollution are putting enormous pressure on the quantity and quality of surface and ground water. Fragile agricultural system here is primarily rainfed and any bad monsoon season wreaks havoc on the national economy. Water conservation is a key element of any strategy that aims to alleviate the water scarcity crisis in India and there is a need to look at means to revive the traditional systems of water harvesting. These methods are simple and eco-friendly - Highly effective for the people who rely on them. Every region in the country has its own traditional water harvesting techniques that reflect the geographical peculiarities and cultural uniqueness of the regions. He further spoke about archaeological evidence of practice of water conservation in India by citing examples of cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation, settlement of Dholavira, Chanakya’s Arthashashtra, Sringaverapura, near Allahabad, Chola King Karikala and his Grand Anicut or Kallanai across the river Cauvery, King Bhoja of Bhopal etc. He further showcased various examples of successful schemes of ancient water conservation across various States and UTs of India. He concluded by saying that these traditional techniques, though less popular today, are still in use and efficient and we need to popularize them at places which are geographically fit to utilize those techniques to limit the prevailing water crisis in India.

Er. Awdhesh Kumar, Asstt. Professor, Invertis University, Bareilly, in his presentation, spoke in details about the “S&T Innovation for Water Conservation”. He explained the significance of water conservation in present time & discussed its various aspects in light of NITI Ayog’s alarming forecasts. He further provided insights about trio of management, economics & understanding causes responsible for global water crisis. He also revealed gender & AiDRR dimensions of global water crisis & also spoke on enhanced water demand due to COVID19. While delivering the insights about S&T innovation, he discussed water metering, modern methods of water harvesting, water sense labelled irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, Water Sense Labelled Irrigation Controllers, Soil Moisture Sensors, Rainfall Shutoff Devices, Rain sensors, Sprinkler Heads, Micro-Irrigation etc. He further discussed various indigenous technologies such as Joy Pumps, Cycle Run Water Pumps, Cycle Run Water Pumps, Water Wheel, Rain Water Syringe popular in various communities in the country. He concluded his talk by showing concern about shrinking of water bodies, depletion of water level & its contamination etc. and said that global community should learn lessons from Aral Sea & should adopt sustainable solutions for a resilient future.

Dr. Brajesh Shrivastava, Sr. Scientist, CPCB, Delhi at the outset, thanked Prof Anil Gupta at NIDM for his speech for bringing various aspects of water conservation specially water related disasters for discussion during this programme. He said that it is important to understand the value associated with water resources for people from all areas – arid or water rich states. Generally, the people from water rich areas don’t understand the importance of water stress unless they start facing the problem. He stated that he has himself observed the plights and also the riots arising out due to unavailability of water in various drought hit states as a member of inter- ministerial central team in the past on behalf of Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation. It is important that geo-hydrological aspects are considered in various aspects of water recharging - specially in Government run programmes. Application of scientific methods of water recharging such as hydro-fracturing has even resulted in successful water recharge in hard rock areas in States such as Maharashtra and Telangana. This needs to be emulated in large scale elsewhere also. Isotopic tracing in study of groundwater and surface water interaction is proving very helpful and bringing out some of the hitherto unknown aspects of present as well as historical aspect of water beneath the ground. Natural dilution of water for reduction of contamination is a gift of the nature in form of rainfall. Cost of water will increase even in water rich areas as water treatment plants howsoever the advance they are made –has a treatment capacity and mechanism to treat them. If we don’t understand the value of water we will end up in increasing cost as well as more interruption in water supply. Hence, water should be perceived as a ‘white Gold’. Community participation is very important for water conservation and there have been examples of effective water conservation and for long period of time - where government interventions are delayed or not reached to them in the past. He thanked NIDM and DDMA for this online workshop and said that it is important to keep the officials motivated towards contributing for the improvement of water resources in the country.

Dr. Prashant Bokare, Professor, O P Jindal University, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh gave a presentation on Sewage Water and the possibility of its recycle use in our country. He explained What is water conservation?, its need in India and ground level Experiments that is being done with regard to sewage water treatment. He informed that water conservation refers to the preservation, control and development of water resources, both surface and groundwater, and prevention of pollution. 72368 million liters per day (MLD) sewage is generated in India, however, the Installed treatment capacity is only 31841 MLD (44%). He showcased one successful experiment on sewage water conservation - Magic Pit. There are series of Magic Soak Pits with mechanisms of Evaluation of input and output parameters of sewage. He concluded by saying that through community participation, the sewage water can be conserved and reused, the ground water level can be raised using the sewage water conservation and this can have a multifaceted effect on social life.

VALEDICTORY SESSION:-

Mr. Ashish Kumar Panda, Consultant & Faculty Member, ECDRM Division, NIDM, in his Concluding Remarks, maintained that water is a scarce natural resource and we should try to protect it in every possible way. Government has its own responsibilities and it is fulfilling that. At the same time, we as individuals should be more responsible with regard to our behavior for water conservation. Let us pledge ourselves to stop treating water as an infinite natural resource; do everything possible to stop leakages and misuse of water; adopt to half a glass water habit; bring more awareness among our fellow citizens; do not pollute our ambient environment and water bodies etc. As a responsible community, all the stakeholders need to come forward to strengthen initiatives taken by the Government and contribute the best possible way we can. He also requested everybody to take good care of themselves in these Covid times. Stay Protected by regularly improving upon mental and physical well being. We need to help others who are in dire need of support during these trying times and be positive with our charming smiles. He wished all the participants great success in their lives.

Shri Mohit Kumar, DDMO, DDMA, West Delhi proposed a formal vote of thanks to the Patrons, Guests, Eminent Speakers, Delegates and Participants, IT support team from NIDM for the successful programme. In the end he also showed a small presentation and a video clip with regard to the wonderful work DDMA, West Delhi is undertaking in the times of Covid 19 as well as specially for Jal Shakti. TAKE AWAYS:- The following important aspects were discussed in the Programme:-

 India has the dubious distinction of being the world’s largest user of groundwater by far, even as the water table has been falling by an average of 0.4 m nationally. Over 70% of surface irrigation water is being simply wasted, nationally. Suboptimal utilization of water infrastructure often results in heavy soil erosion and siltation. MOES report shows a ‘significant’ drop in rainfall in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal over the past three decades, and rising variability in the monsoons nationwide.  People tend to neglect the importance of water conservation because in most places it is free of cost or charged nominally. Rational pricing of water can be put to practice, keeping in mind the affordability of the population in the country.  Reuse, reduce and recycling of water should be promoted.  River rejuvenation ought to be a policy priority of the Centre and state governments. Sustainable operations and maintenance of irrigation systems must be boosted. Rainwater harvesting should be incorporated into urban planning.  Need to leverage Information Technology to revamp water-related data systems, which seem to be sorely lacking in coverage, efficiency or robustness.  Need to follow conservation agriculture i.e. farming practices adapted to the requirements of crops and local conditions. Cultivation of less water- intensive crops like pulses, millets and oilseeds should be encouraged in water-stressed regions.  Decentralised approach, with a key focus on water conservation, source sustainability, storage and reuse wherever possible. A participatory approach is needed in water governance.  Need to emphasis on behavioural change, differentiating of potable and non- potable water usage by the citizenry will go a long way in bringing a Jan Andolan  Groundwater provides for over two-thirds of irrigation requirements. In the last four decades, about 85% of the total addition to irrigation has come from groundwater. This is clearly unsustainable resulting in steep depletion of the groundwater table.  Groundwater is used to cultivate water-intensive crops like paddy and sugarcane (promoted by Green revolution) in rain deficit states like Punjab and Maharashtra respectively.  Large, growing gap between irrigation potential created and that actually utilised, simply due to lax maintenance.  Water data is often unreliable, and is collected using outdated techniques and methodologies. In most segments —industrial usage, households, etc — the data is mostly available at only the aggregate level, implying diminished utility for policymaking. In 2016, the Parliament Standing Committee on water resources recommended having a National Groundwater Database to be updated every two years.  India is urbanizing rapidly - Heightened water demand from households, industry and agriculture. Concretization also reduces the ground-water replenishment.  72368 million liters per day (MLD) sewage is generated in India, however, the Installed treatment capacity is only 31841 MLD (44%).  Gross under-investment in water treatment and reuse. Barely 2% of urban areas have both sewerage systems and sewage treatment plants. India's urban centers produce over 40,000 million litres of sewage daily, but only about a fifth of the muck undergoes treatment.  Magic Soak Pits with mechanisms of Evaluation of input and output parameters of sewage. Through community participation, sewage water can be conserved and reused, ground water level can be raised using sewage water conservation and this can have a multifaceted effect on social life.  Traditional Water Conservation and Irrigation Techniques:- Jhalara (Rajasthan), Talabs (Bundelkhand), Bawaris (Rajasthan), Tanka (Rajasthan), Ahar Pynes (Bihar), Johads (Odisha and Karnataka), Panam Keni (Kerala), Khadins (Rajasthan), Kund (Gujarat and Rajasthan), Baolis (Delhi), Nadis (Rajasthan), Phad (Maharashtra), Zings (Ladakh), Kuhls (Himachal Pradesh), Zabo (Nagaland), Bamboo Drip Irrigation (North East), Jackwell (Nicobar), Ramtek (Maharashtra), Pat (Madhya Pradesh), Eri (Tamil Nadu) etc.  Huge workforce employed under the MGNREGA has enabled the government to introduce water conservation as a project under the Act – To improve groundwater harvesting and build water conservation and storage mechanisms.  Jal Gram Scheme under the Jal Kranti Abhiyan is aimed at developing two model villages in water-starved areas to lead the other villages towards water conservation and preservation.  National Water Mission: Objective of conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring more equitable distribution both across and within states through integrated water resources development and management – To increase the water use efficiency by 20%.  National Rural Drinking Water Programme: It seeks to provide every rural person with adequate safe water for drinking, cooking and other basic domestic needs on a sustainable basis.  NITI Aayog Composite Water Management Index: To achieve effective utilization of water. It revolves around issues ranging from water scarcity and related morass like deaths due to lack of access to safe water, its projected increase in demand over the years and finding ways for its effective conservation.  Jal Shakti Ministry and Jal Jeevan Mission: The efforts like the formation of Jal Shakti Ministry (to tackle water issues holistically) and the goal to provide piped water to all rural households by 2024, under the Jal Jeevan mission, are steps in the right direction.  Atal Bhujal Yojana: Central sector scheme worth Rs. 6,000 crore for sustainable management of groundwater with community participation. It envisages people's participation through the formation of ‘Water User Associations’, water budgeting, preparation and implementation of Gram- panchayat-wise water security plans, etc.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS:-

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE:-

Time/Title SCHEDULE 1100 – 1120 Hrs. Opening Remarks by Shri Ashish Kumar Panda, Consultant and Faculty Member, NIDM, Delhi Inaugural Address by Ms. Kriti Garg, DM, West Delhi Special Address by Shri Dharmendra Kumar, ADM, West Delhi Key Note Address by Prof. Anil K. Gupta, HOD, ECDRM, NIDM Context Setting Address by Shri Mohit Sharma, DDMO, West Delhi 1120-1140 Hrs. Shri Ashish Kumar Panda, NIDM – Dying Wisdom about Water Conservation in India 1140-1200 Hrs. Er. Awdhesh Kumar, Asstt. Professor, Invertis University – S&T Innovations for water conservation 1200-1240 Hrs. Dr. Brajesh Shrivastava, Sr. Scientist, CPCB, Delhi – Water Crisis, Contamination and Way forward 1240-1300 Hrs. Prof. Prashant Bokare, OPJU, Raigarh – Sewage Treatment – Success Story in India 1300-1320 Hrs. Valedictory Address by … some dignitary Concluding remarks by Shri Ashish Kumar Panda, NIDM Vote of Thanks by Shri Mohit Sharma, DDMO, West Delhi

ORGANIZING TEAM PATRONS Major General Shri Manoj Kumar Bindal, Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), Executive Director, NIDM

Ms. Kriti Garg, DM, West Delhi PROGRAMME Prof. (Dr.) Asita Kulshreshtha, Coordinator& Head, Amity CHAIRS School of Applied Sciences, AUUP, Lucknow Campus. Email: [email protected]

Shri Dharmendra Kumar, ADM, West Delhi PROGRAMME Mr. Ashish Kumar Panda, Consultant & Faculty Member, COORDINATORS ECDRM Division, NIDM, Email: [email protected], Phone: 09968281018

Mr. Mohit Kumar, DDMO, DDMA, West Delhi