Jaipur 13 May 2016 Integrated River Basin Management: Case study on Holy River Pamba

Dr George Chackacherry Director Institute for Climate Change Studies Government of (Project Director, Pampa River Basin Authority) 1. Integrated River Basin Management – General Perspectives 2. Need for River Basin Approach – International & National Level 3. Pampa River Basin – EU Study 4. Prerequisites for better River Basin Management River Basin

Natural entity in which freshwater appears It is the ultimate source of nearly all water used & receptor of most wastewater.

• River basins play important role in sustaining communities/civilizations & other forms of life Integrated Water Resource Management & Integrated River Basin Management

• somewhat elusive terms that can end up meaning almost the same

• IRBM - spatial & ecosystem focus (emphasises river basins as natural hydrological units within which sustainable water resource management can be achieved)

• IRBM as a sub-set of IWRM, which tends to stress the need for integration at all levels

• but, concepts, procedures adopted, etc. almost the same Basis of IWRM – different uses of water are interdependent need to consider different uses of water together for efficient management of WR

Agriculture Water supply & wastewater Negative impacts of water use may Mining be made worse by: Industry Environment -poor management practices Fisheries -lack of regulation, or Tourism -lack of motivation in the water Energy Transport governance regimes etc a process, which promotes coordinated development & management of water, land IWRM? & related resources in order to maximize the resultant economic & social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising sustainability of vital ecosystems

to improve efficiency in water use (economic to achieve rationale) environmental stability SUSTAINABILITY to promote equity (environmental in access to water rationale) (social or developmental rationale) IWRM Principles

The four Dublin principles (1992) - Fresh water is a finite & vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development & environment

- Water development & management should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners & policy markers at all levels

- Women play a central part in the provision, management & safeguarding of water

- Water has an economic value in all its competing uses & should be recognized as an economic good Holistic Management

Governance Sustainability

Constituents of IWRM.

Economic Equity value of water

Gender Integration Competing uses Cross-sectoral integration

• Enabling environment Water Water Water Water • Institutions for for for for people food nature other • Management uses tools

Integration • environmental objectives of: • all water resources • all water uses, functions & values • disciplines, analyses & expertise • water legislation into common & coherent framework • significant management & ecological aspects • stakeholders & civil society • different decision-making levels • management from different States Agriculture Department Integration of activities of Livestock Department multiple actors Forest Department

Water Supply Agency

Fishing Forest Irrigation Department Hydropower Reservoir Power Department

Industry Industries Department Urban WSS Rural WSS Fisheries Department

Rainfed Agr Return Flow Environment Department Irrigation Recreation Transport Department

Tourism Department

Navigation LSG Department Groundwater

Department Livestock

Ocean This calls for River Basin as the logical geographical unit for implementation Urgency of River Basin Approach Inefficient governance

Sectoral approaches

Fragmented & uncoordinated development & management of WR

World’s freshwater resources under increasing pressure

Increased competition

Percapita Availability of Water

8000 7400 m3 7000 6000 5000 4000 3240 m3 3000 2200 m3 2000 1000 0 Asia World Per capita water availability

16 14 Africa 12 10 8 World 6 Asia 4 2 MEast & NAfrica 0 1960 1990 2025 Climate Change

Our Earth is warming 1880 to 2015, average global temperature up by 1°C By 2100, this increase will exceed 4°C compared to 1850 to 1900 Small changes in average temperature Climate of Earth lead to large and potentially dangerous shifts in climate and change is weather happening The evidence is clear. Rising global temperatures + Changes in weather and climate. Many places have seen: Changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, or intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat waves

India leave 14 % of people with no water TheIndiansituation

Groundwater is the major source of water in India with 85% of the population dependent

Groundwater table declines – 33 cm per year TheIndian situation

• Groundwater [Depleted] • Population [ ] • Surface water [Polluted] • Demand [ ] • Rainfall [Wasted] • Consumption [ ]

SCARCITY

• Industrial Growth [ ] • Agriculture [ ] • Economy-Industry [ ] • Health & Environment [ • Water Business [ ] • Future [ ? ]

IWRM is thought to be a solution - Better coordination of sectors - Demand based water allocation - Local level management Pampa – A Case Study Water Resources of Kerala

• 1% of total area of India, but: Rain for 6 – contains 3% of country’s months population – accounts for 5% of water Rivers resources rainfed/Dry • Average rainfall – 3,000 mm during non- • 44 rivers monsoon • 68 lakh wells season

• Area - 38,863 km² • Population - 33.38 million • Population density - 898 1Ambalapuzha 18 Triveni 31 Kakki 2 Alleppy 19 Mooziyar 32 Punnamedu 3 Mancombu 20 Adur 33 Paratodu 4 Haripad 21 Perumthenaruvi 34 kumili 5 Kayamkulam 22 Azhutha 35 Santhanpara 6 23 Seethathodu 7 Chenganassery 24 Kochandy 8 25 Kishmum 9 26 Lower Pamba 10 Adur 27 Lower Kakkad 11 28 Kallar 12 Vadasserikkara 29 Pamba 13 Kanjirappalli 30 Anamoozhy 14 Maniyar 15 Konni 16 Koruyhodu 17 Vellathumuzhi

Drainage Map of Basin . 3rd largest river in Kerala . Originate from: Pulachimalai, . Drain at : lake (Ramsar Site) Pampa . Length : 176 km River . Avg. discharge: 109 m³/s . Basin area : 2,235 km²

Average rainfall - 3,658 mm

Pampa has a powerful religious significance since pilgrims (50 million) who trek to inevitably camp on its banks & take bath in the river before final ascent - Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple is one of the main forest temples in the World. - Situated on hilltop (Sabarimala) inside deep forest of Western Ghats. - Surrounded by lush tropical jungles & 18 hills, the shrine is over 1260 m/4135 feet above MSL. Pampa River Basin

Famous Christian Convention in Asia, Convention & biggest Hindu Convention in Kerala, Cherukolppuzha Hindumatha Parishath, are held on the sand beds of Pampa

Aranmula Boat Race & Valla Sadya (feast) as part of rituals at Temple Pampa River Basin

Vembanad-kol Ramsar wetland gets most of the water needed for salinity extrusion & flushing from Pampa Pampa River Basin

Pampa River Basin has a hydroelectric scheme, which is the second largest in Kerala, with two parallel reservoirs - Pamba & Kakki - on the upstream & an irrigation scheme in the lower reaches

Around 30 lakh people in , Pathanamthitta & Idukki districts depend on Pampa for daily use Major Issues

• High population density • Low per capita availability of water • Deforestation • Sand mining • River bank agriculture

Large scale sand mining Major Issues

• Degraded water quality • Bacteriological contamination of drinking water sources • Point & non-point pollution

People bathing in contaminated water of water bodies • Threats to aquatic ecology • Land reclamation of water bodies for construction • Low water flow during summer/River dry up at many places Solid waste disposal in the river catchment

Pampa River Degrading Ayroor-KWA Pumping Station

(Feb,2004) (Feb,2007)

(Feb,2010) OCT 12, 2014 Blocked Tributaries

Chathankeri thodu, Peringara

Kolarayar- Spatial water balance of Pampa River Basin

Physiogra Season Utilizable Present Future Water phic water utilization demand surplus/de- region potential (MCM) (MCM) ficit (MCM) (MCM) High land Monsoon 2840 0.5 13.8 Surplus

Non 343 10.5 13.8 Surplus monsoon Midland Monsoon 149 1.5 50.5 Surplus

Non 93 11.5 1205 Deficit monsoon Lowland Monsoon 107 13 175 Deficit

Non 104 25 2387 Deficit monsoon Institutional Setting: Observations prior to EU Study River basin Water Wildlife development Resources Protection involves Conservation coordinated & harmonious Land development Recreation Restoration of various works in relation to all reasonable possibilities River Forest of the basin Maintenance Conservation

Fisheries Agriculture Requires reform

Presently Institutional Sector dominated & Govt. Managed legislative -Governance -Financial objective frameworks -Execution Mode -Accountability pattern Less participatory Gender neutral - Integrated - Joint Management - Participatory - Gender sensitive Constraints to Implementation of IWRM

• Lack of information & systematized data for sharing amongst stakeholders • Compartmentalized functioning/sectoral barriers • Lack of tools for system integration • Unwillingness to change • Separation of surface water & ground water & separation of quantity from quality • Low stakeholder participation • Lack of capacity at all levels • Apprehensions regarding centralisation, pricing & private sector involvement • Lack of Political & Administrative Will Data Management We have to do better than this! Several Deptts. play significant roles in management & utilization of water resources -Irrigation -Water Supply -Groundwater -LSG Lack of co- ‘Triple c’ -Forest ordination & -Environment contradictory - Confusion -Agriculture objectives led to unwise, - Conflict -Fisheries -Revenue unsustainable - Chaos -Rural Development & destructive -Transport exploitation of -Industry water -Health resources -Tourism, etc. • Inadequacy of horizontal & vertical coordination – Competition among sectors on the dwindling resource – Overlap of responsibilities among sectors – Uncoordinated plans of action – Lack of incentives for coordination – Power politics – Lack of transparency & fear of exposure – Lack of mechanisms for follow-up – Lack of forum for coordination Low Participation

Bureaucracy Community • Lack of sufficient • Lack of sufficient training/awareness training/awareness • Extent of interaction & • Politicization (committees, coordination among agencies beneficiary selection) poor • Inadequate infrastructure • Individualistic attitude facility • Less attraction for WRM • Short time horizon • Paucity of funds • Accountability pattern • Economic rationality (community-officer) (remain as passive recipient, • Anxiety of officials than active participant) Outcome of EU Study Pampa River Basin in the Context of IWRM

Strength Weakness Opportunities Threats Water Policy 2008 Existing legal Water policy & Act Continuous change at supports IWRM framework not provides enabling political & principles enforced (eg: sand) environment administrative level Legal framework Water policy not Skilled technical result in lack of sufficient to regulate address ecosystem capacity available in institutional memory important issues needs CWRDM & in focus shift Political & Poor Data on water Undue bureaucratic Administrative Will at interdepartmental quantity & quantity delays causing top level coordination available implications for Pampa River Basin Lack of stakeholder Interest from multi- keeping momentum Act in place participation lateral donors in initiated IWRM process & addressing Pampa has not trans- Technocentric Govt. of India support high priority water boundary implications approach Pampa IWRM resources issues High technical Presently focus only Govt. willing to Funding limitations to capacity at pollution abatement; provide funds for prepare & implement centralised level no reform process IWRM of Pampa IWRM roadmap CWRDM for capacity Lack of data sharing Piloting Pampa IWRM Lack of sufficient development can be replicated awareness IWRM planning process: Actions proposed

Step Description Present Situation Comments and suggestions for the Pampa River Basin Authority 1. Awareness Awareness of IWRM Conduct targeted awareness raising of policy- and political concept and principles makers, water sector managers, local councils, NGOs will relatively limited. and CBOs. Moderate to strong political will to bring water management into line with international best practices. 2. Framework Presently non-existent Take necessary steps to establish legal and for regulatory framework for stakeholder participation. participation Development of communication strategy to help of solve problems in a participatory manner and to stakeholders explore opportunities of improvements in the water sector.

3. Knowledge Data scattered between Establish common databases and information of the different institutions systems so that a situation analysis can be situation monitoring quantity and conducted based on existing data. quantity. Knowledge gaps e.g. environmental-flows Step Description Present Situation Comments and suggestions for the Pamba River Basin Authority 4. Problems and Problems and challenges In general well known. Future planning challenges of identified towards a full IWRM Action Plan can IWRM identified benefit from the data and findings of the current pilot project, especially the identified water resources issues and management issues as defined by the stakeholders. 5. WRM functions Present WRM functions Continued support required for reform defined defined, including the Pamba process within IWRM paradigm. Basin Authority Short term focus should be given to setting up and operationalize the Pampa River Basin Authority 6. Opportunities Done under present Pamba A future situation analysis should benefit and constraints Pilot Project from this project output. identified 7. IWRM Action Pollution abatement plan IWRM plan to be developed as part of Plan drafted exists. implementing the Roadmap No IWRM plan drafted 8. IWRM Action No IWRM plan adopted Future action plan to be adopted Plan adopted 9. Capacity Ongoing capacity building Capacity needs assessment and strengthened but accumulation rates quite capacity building at all levels required low. 10. Projects To be developed Part of implementing the Roadmap portfolio and financing plan elaborated Management constraints and suggested responses

Management Suggested Response Responsibil Constraint Enabling Institutional Management Instruments ity Environment Framework Weak staff capacity - Identify a nodal Identify ways and means RBO, LSG both in number and department to of promoting community expertise in IWRM coordinate all staff involvement capacity development activities Weak linkages of WR The culture of Pamba RBO to take Develop, promote and RBO, LSG, department with integrated a lead role in institutionalize technical Department important catchment working of catchment area competence in IWRM of Forestry organizations, various treatment and working (e.g. silt resulting in fragmented departments ensure integrated management, bio- responsibilities at the at the cutting working, thus fencing, community field level (e.g. edge level avoiding overlaps participation in basin forestry and revenue needs to be and gaps in management etc) departments) promoted working Lack of scientific - RBO to play a nodal Standardize assessment RBO and method and systems to agency role and methods to understand related assess demand for eco- institutionalize demand-supply situation. departments system management required scientific Develop models for systems in ensuring minimum flow in participating the river. Institutionalize departments capacity development Management Suggested Response Responsibility Constraint Enabling Institutional Management Environment Framework Instruments Weak policy Defining clear Enacting laws STP systems, RBO, LSG, framework policies. Making and enforcing decentralized sewage KWA, SPCB multiple technology regulations management choices available for on-site and off- site sanitation Inadequate sewage Defining waste Institutionalizing Supportive systems at RBO, LSG, and waste management policy decentralized local level. Public District management and tuning it to waste education Administration systems and meet area specific management methods needs solutions Absence of policy Enacting laws, - Capacity development Capacity framework to rules and systems development prevent reclamation regulations systems of productive wetland for non- farming activities, resulting in man- made disasters DPRs for Financing different Plans & actions Adoption of investment Action Plan for IWRM Implementation Set up of Action Plan sustainable M&E and MIS Assessment IWRM at Pampa of quantity & quality of Basin: Roadmap Enforcement basin water of legal framework Communication Capacity strategy Form Building operational body for WRM Roadmap

No Scope of Work Objectives Responsible Expected Executors Source of Financing 1. Form an To establish a de-centralised operational body Government/ Government, operational body for management of the Water Resources in the Pamba Basin Development for water Pamba Basin to assure fulfillment of the Authority partners resources objectives stated in the Pamba Basin Authority management in Act. the Pamba River Basin 2. Capacity building To strengthen the human capacity at all levels Pamba Basin GOI MOEF, in IWRM (central and de-central) to assure adequate Authority, Development implementation of integrated water resources CWRDM, partners management in the Pamba River Basin. regional/ nternational experts 3. Development of a To establish and maintain clear and regular Pamba Basin Government communication channels of communication between Authority strategy stakeholders to support the objectives of IWRM, thus providing a platform for stakeholder participation. 4. Enforcement of Enforcement of existing legal framework to Government Government existing legal mitigate to present water resources issues in framework the Pamba Basin No Scope of Work Objectives Responsible Executors Expected Source of Financing 5. Adjustment of Updating existing legal framework Government, Ministry Government existing legal water to assure compliance with IWRM of Law/Ministry of framework for Kerala principles and the Water Policy Revenue/Ministry of state from 2008. Water Resources

6. Setting-up a Improvement of quality of Pamba Basin Government, sustainable measurements and reliability of Authority/Water Development monitoring and forecasts of water resources Resources partners evaluation system for availability and quality Dept/KWA/Groundwate water resources & Develop a information and r Dept/SPCB/ Kerala management database system supported by State Remote Sensing & Establishment of a GIS Agency, consultant information system on water resources 7. Full assessment of Elaborate a full assessment of the Pamba Basin Authority Government, the water resources water quantity and quality based / consultant development situation (quantity & on integration of available data partners quality) in the Pamba from the numerous departments Basin involved in monitoring of the resource. N Scope of Work Objectives Responsible Expected o Executors Source of Financing 8. Initiation of elaboration Development and adoption of an IWRM Government Government, and adoption of an Action Plan based on stakeholders and consultant Development IWRM Action Plan for participation Partners the Pamba Basin 9. Elaboration of DPRs Development of detailed DPRs by Corresponding Government / (Detailed Project corresponding governmental sectors and Government GOI Reports) for coordinated by the Pamba Authority to bodies and implementation of ensure collaboration and Pamba Basin different actions communication between departments Authority identified 10 Elaboration of Develop a financing plan for prioritized Government, Government . financing plan and actions. Pamba Basin investment strategies Authority 11. Implementation of the To implement prioritized actions in the Pamba Basin Government, IWRM Action Plan for IWRM plan Authority Development the Pamba River Basin partners 12 Development of IWRM To monitor that the effects from Pamba Basin Government, . indicators to monitor implementing the action plan comply Authority Development the effects from with the vision stated in the Water Policy partners implementing the IWRM plan • River Basin • Basis of IWRM/IRBM • Principles of IWRM/IRBM • Details of integration required • Urgency for IWRM/IRBM at International & National level • Pampa River & Major Issues of Pampa River Basin • Constraints to implementation of IWRM/IRBM • Outcome of EU Study • Roadmap for IWRM at Pampa River Basin Pre-requisites What public • Political & Administrative Will demands is good • Attitudinal & Behavioural water governance Change • Organisational & Procedural – Equity Change – Transparency • Inter – departmental – Accountability Coordination (vertical & – Rule of law horizontal) – Democracy • Platform for – Participation dialogue/coordination • Tribunals for solving IWRM/IRBM intends that controversial water issues Thank You