Water Bodies

Inland Water resources of the country are classified as rivers and canals; reservoirs; tanks & ponds; beels, oxbow lakes, derelict water; and brackish water. Other than rivers and canals, total water bodies cover all area of about 7 M.Ha. Of the fivers and canals, Uttar Pradesh occupies the First place with the total length of rivers and canals as 31.2 thousand km, which is about 17 percent of the total length of rivers and canals in the country. Other states following Uttar Pradesh are Jammu & Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh. Among the remaining forms of the inland water resources, tanks and ponds have maximum area (2.9 M.Ha.) followed by reservoirs (2.1 M.Ha.). Most of the area under tanks and ponds lies in Southern States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. These states along with West Bengal, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, account for 62 percent of total area under tanks and ponds in the country. As far as reservoirs are concerned, major states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasman and Uttar Pradesh account for larger portion of area under reservoirs. More than 77 percent of area under beels, oxbow, lakes and derelict water lies in the states of Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Assam. Orissa ranks first as regards the total area of brackish water and is followed by Gujarat, Kerala and West Bengal. The total area of inland water resources is, thus, unevenly distributed over the country with five states namely Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and West Bengal accounting for more than half of the country's inland water bodies.

Rivers

India is blessed with many rivers. Twelve of them are classifled as major rivers whose total catchment area is 252.8 million heactare (M.Ha). Of the major rivers, the Ganga - Brahmaputra Meghana system is the biggest with catchment area of about 110 M.Ha which is more than 43 percent of the catchment area of all the major rivers in the country. The other major rivers with catchment area more than 10 M.Ha are Indus (32.1 M.Ha.), Godavari (31.3 M.Ha.), Krishna, (25.9 M.Ha.) and Mahanadi (14.2 M.Ha). The catchment area of medium rivers is about 25 M.Ha and Subernarekha with 1.9 M.Ha. catchment area is the largest river among the medium rivers in the country

Agro-Climatic Zones

The Planning Comhkmission after examining the earlier studies on the regionalisation of the agricultural economy has recommended that agricultural planning be done on the basis of agroclimatic regions. For resource development, the country has been broadly divided into fifteen agricultural regions based on agroclimatic features, particularly soil type, climate including temperature and rainfall and its variation and water resources availability as under: y y y y y y y y y y Western Himalayan division Eastern Himalayan division Lower Gangetic plain region Middle Gangetic plain region Upper Gangetic plain region Trans-Gangetic plain region Eastern plateau and hill region Central plateau and hill region Western plateau and hill region Southern plateau and hill region

y y y y y

East coast plain and hill region West coast plain and hill region Gujarat plain and hill region Western plain and hill region Island region

Evaporation

Evaporation rates closely follow the climatic seasons, and reach their peak in the summer months of April and May and the central areas of the country display the highest evaporation rates during this period. With the onset of monsoon, there is a marked fall in the rate of evaporation. The annual potential evaporation ranges between 150 to 250 cm over most parts of the country. Monthly potential evaporation over the Peninsula increases from 15 cm in December to 40 cm in May. In the North-East, it varies from 6 cm in December to 20 cm in May. It rises to 40 cm in June in West Rajasthan. After the onset of monsoon potential evaporation decreases generally all over the country.

Temperature

The variations in temperature are also marked over the Indian sub-continent. During the winter seasons from November to February, due to the effect of continental winds over most of the country, the temperature decreases from South to North. The mean maximum temperature during the coldest months of December and January varies from 29 degree centigrade in some part of the peninsula to about 18 degree centigrade in the North, whereas the mean minimum varies from about 24 degree centigrade in the extreme South to below 5 degree centigrade in the North. From March to May is usually a period of continuous and rapid rise of temperature. The highest temperature occurs in North India, particularly in the desert regions of the North-West where the maximum may exceed 48 degree centigrade. With the advent of South West Monsoon in June, there is a rapid fall in the maximum temperature in the central portions of the country. The temperature is almost uniform over the area covering two thirds of the country which gets good rain. In August, there is a marked fall in temperature when the monsoon retreat from North India in September. In North-West India, in the month of November, the mean maximum temperature is below 38 degree centigrade and the mean minimum below 10 degree centigrade. In the extreme North, temperature drops below freezing point.

Rainfall

Rainfall in India is dependent in differing degrees on the South-West and North-East monsoons, on shallow cyclonic depressions and disturbances and on violent local storms which form regions where cool humid winds the sea meet hot dry winds from the land and occasionally reach cyclonic dimension. Most of the rainfall in India takes place under the influence of South West monsoon between June to September except in Tamil Nadu where it is under the influence of North-East monsoon during October and November. The rainfall in India shows great variations, unequal seasonal distribution, still more unequal geographical distribution and the frequent departures from the normal. It generally exceeds 1000 mm in areas to the East of Longitude 78 degree. It extends to 2500 mm along almost the entire West Coast and Western Ghats and over most of Assam and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal. On the West of the line joining Porbandar to Delhi and thence to Ferozpur the rainfall diminishes rapidly from 500 mm to less than 150 mm in the extreme west. The Peninsula has large areas of rainfall less than 600 mm with pockets of even 500 mm. The estimate of areal average rainfall is subjective depending on the method adopted. Therefore, estimates of local rainfall over the country obtained by employing other techniques may differ, especially in a vast country like India.

Climate

The presence of the great mountain mass formed by the Himalayas and its spurs on the North and of the ocean on the South are the two major influences operating on the climate of India. The first poses an impenetrable barrier to the influence of cold winds from central Asia, and gives the sub-continent the elements of tropical type of climate. The second, which is the source of cool moisture-laden winds reaching India, gives it the elements of the oceanic type of climate. India has a very great diversity and variety of climate and an even greater variety of weather conditions. The climate ranges from continental to oceanic, from extremes of heat to extremes of cold, from extreme aridity and negligible rainfall to excessive humidity and torrential rainfall. It is, therefore, necessary to avoid any genralisation as to the prevalence of any particular kind of climate, not only over the country as a whole but over major areas in it. The climatic condition influences to a great extent the water resources utilisation of the country.

Physiography

Physiographically, India may be divided into seven well defined regions. These are: 1. 2. The Northern Mountains, comprising the mighty Himalayan ranges; The Great Plains, traversed by the Indus and Ganga Brahmaputra river systems. As much as one third of this lies in the arid zone of western Rajasthan. The remaining area is mostly fertile plains; The Central Highlands, consisting of a wide belt of hills running east-west starting from Aravalli ranges in the west and terminating in a steep escarpment in the east. The area lies between the Great Plains and the Deccan Plateau; The Peninsular Plateaus comprising the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, North Deccan Plateau, South Deccan Plateau and Eastern Plateau; The East Coast, a belt of land of about 100-130 km wide, bordering the Bay of Bengal land lying to the east of the Eastern Ghats; The West Coast, a narrow belt of land of about 10-25 km wide, nordering the Arabian Sea and lying to the west of the Western Ghats, and; The islands, comprising the coral islands of Lakshadeep in Arabian Sea and Andaman and Nicobar Islands of the Bay of Bengal.

3.

4. 5. 6. 7.

General

India is a land of many rivers and mountains. Its geographical area of about 329 MHa is criss-crossed by a large number of small and big rivers, some of them figuring amongst the mighty rivers of the world. The rivers and mountains have a greater significance in the history of Indian cultural development, religious and spiritual life. It may not be an exaggeration to say that the rivers are the heart and soul of Indian life. India is a union of States with a federal set up. Politically, the country is divided into 28 States and 7 Union Territories. A major part of Indias population of 1,027,015,247 (2001 census) is rural and agriculturally oriented for whom the rivers are the source of their prosperity.

Water Availability - Basinwise

Sl.

Cubic Km/Year Name of the River Basin

Average

No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Total Indus (up to Border) a) Ganga b) Brahmaputra ,Barak & Others Godavari Krishna Cauvery Pennar East Flowing Rivers Between Mahanadi & Pennar East Flowing Rivers Between Pennar and Kanyakumari Mahanadi Brahmani & Baitarni Subernarekha Sabarmati Mahi West Flowing Rivers of Kutch, Sabarmati including Luni Narmada Tapi West Flowing Rivers from Tapi to Tadri West Flowing Rivers from Tadri to Kanyakumari Area of Inland drainage in Rajasthan desert Minor River Basins Draining intoBangladesh & Burma

annual availability 73.31 525.02 585.60 110.54 78.12 21.36 6.32 22.52 16.46 66.88 28.48 12.37 3.81 11.02 15.10 45.64 14.88 87.41 113.53 NEG. 31.00 1869.35

Article 246

Notwithstanding anything in clauses (2) and (3), Parliament has exclusive power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List I in the seventh Schedule (in this Constitution referred to as the "Union List"). Notwithstanding anything in clause (3), Parliament, and, subject to clause (1), the legislature of any State also, have power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List III in the Seventh Schedule (in this Constitution referred to as the "Concurrent List"). Subject to clauses (1) and (2), the Legislature of any State has exclusive power to make laws for such State or any part thereof with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List II in the Seventh Schedule (in this Constitution referred to as the "State List"). Parliament has power to make laws with respect to any matter for any part of the territory of India not included in a State notwithstanding that such matter is a matter enumerated in the State List.

Article 262

In case of disputes relating to waters, Article 262 provides: y Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the

use, distribution or control of the waters of, or in, any inter-State river or river valley. y Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, Parliament may, by law provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall exercise jurisdiction in respect of any such dispute or complaint as is referred to in Clause (1).

Entry 56 of List I of Seventh Schedule

Entry 56 of List I of Seventh Schedule provides that "Regulation and development of inter-State rivers and river valleys to the extent to which such regulation and development under the control of the Union is declared by Parliament by law to be expedient in the public interest".

Entry 17 under List II of Seventh Schedule

Entry 17 under List II of Seventh Schedule provides that "Water, that is to say, water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments, water storage and water power subject to the provisions of Entry 56 of List I". As such, the Central Government is conferred with powers to regulate and develop inter-State rivers under Entry 56 of List I of Seventh Schedule to the extent declared by the Parliament by law to be expedient in the public interest. It also has the power to make laws for the adjudication of any dispute relating to waters of Inter-State River or river valley under Article 262 of the Constitution.

General Facts
World oceans cover about three fourth of earths surface. According to the UN estimates, the total amount of water on earth is about 1400 million cubic kilometre which is enough to cover the earth with a layer of 3000 metres depth. However the fresh water constitutes a very small proportion of this enormous quantity. About 2.7 per cent of the total water available on the earth is fresh water of which about 75.2 per cent lies frozen in polar regions and another 22.6 per cent is present as ground water. The rest is available in lakes, rivers, atmosphere, moisture, soil and vegetation. What is effectively available for consumption and other uses is a small proportion of the quantity available in rivers, lakes and ground water. The crisis about water resources development and management thus arises because most of the water is not available for use and secondly it is characterized by its highly uneven spatial distribution. Accordingly, the importance of water has been recognised and greater emphasis is being laid on its economic use and better management. Water on the earth is in motion through the hydrological cycle. The utilisation of water for most of the users i.e. human, animal or plant involve movement of water. The dynamic and renewable nature of the water resources and the recurrent need for its utilisation requires that water resources are measured in terms of its flow rates. Thus water resources have two facets. The dynamic resource, measured as flow is more relevant for most of developmental needs. The static or fixed nature of the reserve, involving the quantity of water, the length of area of the water bodies is also relevant for some activities like pisciculture, navigation etc. Both these aspects are discussed below. Irrigation World Analysing the country-wise geographical area, arable land and irrigated area in the World, it is found that among the continents largest geographical area lies in the Africa which is about 23 per cent of the world geographic area. However, Asia (excluding erstwhile countries of USSR) with only 21 per cent of world

geographical area has about 32 per cent of worlds arable land followed by North Central America having about 20 per cent of Worlds arable land. Africa has only 12 per cent of worlds arable land. It has been seen that irrigated area in the World as about 18.5 per cent of the arable land in 1994. In 1989, 63 per cent of worlds irrigated area was in Asia, whereas in 1994 this percentage has gone upto 64 per cent. Also 37 per cent of arable land of Asia was irrigated in 1994. Among Asian countries, India has the largest arable land, which is close to 39 per cent of Asias arable land. Only United States of America has more arable land than India.

Ground Water Exploration

Ground water exploration aided by drilling is one of the major activities of the Board with an objective to discover aquifers in different hydrogeological conditions and determination of hydraulic parameters. Largescale sub-surface exploration programme for ground water was initiated during 1954. In the initial years, exploratory drilling activities were confined to alluvial tracts in major river basins and sub mountainous bouldary tracts of Himalayan foothills. In mid eighties, CGWB added 26 new DTH drilling rigs in its fleet with which the exploratory drilling in hard rock regions gained momentum. The major thrust of exploratory drilling programme in nineties was in areas underlain by hard rock. Another important development in first half of nineties was introduction of open hole drilling technology in India. CGWB acquired seven percussion drilling rigs for exploratory drilling in bouldary/ semi-consolidated formations in Himalyan foothills from Jammu & Kashmir in north west to Arunachal Pradesh in north east. These exploration programmes formed the background of scientific evaluation of the water bearing properties of various rock formations.

About 29500 wells have been drilled by Central Ground Water Board throughout the country. High yielding
wells were drilled under ground water exploration programme in water deficient areas in the country, including tribal and drought prone areas. Most of these high yielding wells have been handed over to the respective State Governments for public water supply. Board had also come forward in disaster mitigation activities during Latur earthquake during 1993, Bhuj earthquake during 2001, Super cyclone in Orissa during 2000 and Tsunami hit coastal belt of Tamil Nadu & Kerala and Andaman & Nicobar Islands during 2004 by way of construction of tube wells for water supply. State wise status of Borewells Drilled by CGWB is given as under:

Status of Ground Water Development

The stage of ground water development in the country is 58%.The development of ground water in different areas of the country has not been uniform. Highly intensive development of ground water in certain areas in the country has resulted in over exploitation leading to decline in the levels of ground water and sea water intrusion in coastal areas. Out of 5723 numbers of assessment administrative units (Blocks/Taluks/ Mandals/Watershed), 839 units are overexploited, 226 units are critical, 550 units are semi-critical, 4078 units are safe and 30 units are saline.

Categorisation Of Blocks/Talukas/Watersheds As Over-Exploited And Critical

Ground Water Resources Of The Country

The ground water resources of the country have been estimated for freshwater based on the guidelines and recommendations of the GEC-97.The total Annual Replenishable ground water resources of the

country have been estimated as 433 billion cubic meter (BCM). Keeping 34 BCM for natural discharge, the net annual ground water availability for the entire country is 399 BCM. The Annual ground water draft is 231 BCM out of which 213 BCM is for irrigation use and 18 BCM is for domestic & industrial use.

State-Wise Ground Water Resources Availability, Utilization and stage of development

Ground Water Management Studies

Ground Water Resources occur in dynamic state and hence subjected to periodic changes. Ground water Management Studies (GWMS) are essential to update the scenario of ground water occurrence, availability and utilization in terms of quality and quantity with reference to the previous studies. The objectives of the GWMS are as follows: 1. To depict the ground water regime in terms of quantity and quality as on the date. 2. Ascertaining the factors influencing the ground water scenario. 3. Identification of problems and issues pertaining to ground water and provide suitable object oriented management strategy for implementation. 4. To update the existing database on ground water regime. 5. To demarcate the ground water worthy areas. 6. To recommend suitable follow up action/ remedial measures/ administrative and technical measures for the specific problems. Priority is given to Over-Exploited and critical areas , hard rock area, coastal area, tribal & drought prone area, naturally contaminated area, urban area, water logged area etc.

Ground Water Regime Monitoring

The primary objective of ground water regime monitoring is to record information on ground water levels and quality through representative sampling in space and time. Board regularly monitors ground water level through a network of ~ 15640 ground water observation wells located all over the country. Water level is measured four times in a year i.e in the month of January, April/May, August and November and ground water quality samples are collected once in a year i.e during April/May. Ground Water Level Scenario in India during January- 2010 Perusal of the groundwater level map for the period January 2010 indicates that in Sub-Himalayan area, north of river Ganges and in the eastern part of the country in the Brahmaputra valley, generally the depth to water level varies from 2-5 meter below ground level (m bgl). Isolated pockets of shallow water level less than 2 m bgl have also been observed. In major parts of north-western states (Indus basin), depth to water level generally varies from 10-20 m bgl with pockets of deeper water level of more than 20 m bgl. In the western parts of the country covering the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat deeper water level is recorded in the range of 10-20 m

bgl. In Rajasthan pockets of deeper water level in the range of 20-40 m bgl and > 40 m bgl have also been also recorded. In the west coast, water level is generally less than 10 m and in western parts of Maharashtra state isolated pockets of water level less than 2 m has also been observed. In the east coast i.e. coastal Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, water level in the range of 2-5 m bgl have been recorded while in coastal Tamil Nadu shallow water level of less than 2 m bgl have been recorded. However, South-eastern part of West Bengal recorded water level in the range of 5-10 m bgl. In central India, water level generally varies between 2-10 m bgl, except in isolated pockets where deeper water level more than 10 m bgl has been observed. The peninsular part of country generally recorded a water level in the range 5-10 m bgl. In some patches, water level ranges from 10-20 m bgl. Isolated patches of water level of 20-40 m bgl has been observed as well. The depth to ground water level map of the India for the period of January 2010 has been depicted in Fig.1. A comparison of depth to water level during January 2010 with decadal mean of the January (2000-2009) reveals that, in general, there is declining trend in water level in rainfall deficient states. Isolated pockets of rise in water level in the range of 0-2 m are common in all these states. Majority of wells in Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu have shown rise in water level. Rise / fall in water level in the range of 0-2 meter may not be significant in view of dynamic nature of groundwater resources. Fall in water level more than 2 meter on long term basis has also been observed in various parts of the states such as UP, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The decadal water level fluctuation map of theIndia for January 2010 with the mean of January (20002009) has been depicted in Fig.2. Artificial Recharge & Rainwater Harvesting Studies

In order to augment the depleting ground water resources, it is essential that the surplus monsoon runoff that flows into the sea, is conserved and recharged to augment ground water resources. Ground water storage that could be feasible has been estimated as 214 billion cubic meters (BCM) of which 160 BCM is considered retrievable. Central Ground Water Board has prepared a conceptual plan for artificial recharge to ground water for the country. Out of total geographical area of 3,28,7263 sq. km. of the country, an area of 4,48,760 sq. km. has been identified suitable for artificial recharge. The total quantity of surplus monsoon runoff to be recharged works out as 36.4 BCM. The Central Ground Water Board has prepared a Manual and subsequently a Guide on Artificial Recharge to Ground Water which provide guidelines on investigation techniques for selection of sites, planning & design of artificial recharge structures, economic evaluation & monitoring of recharge facility. These are of immense use to States/ U.T.s in planning and implementation of recharge schemes for augmentation of ground water in various parts of the country. During the Ninth Five Year Plan, a Central Sector Scheme on Studies on Recharge of Ground Water was undertaken, under which 165 recharge projects were implemented in 27 States/UTs. The impact assessment of completed recharge projects before monsoon of 2003 had indicated rise in water levels and sustainability of dug wells/ tubewells, decrease in soil erosion and improvement in social-economic status of farmers of benefited zone due to increase in crop production During the Xth Plan demonstrative studies on Artificial Recharge to Ground Water and Rain Water Harvesting have been taken up during 2006-07 by CGWB in 8 districts in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu at a total cost of Rs. 5.95 Crores . The construction of 189 artificial recharge structure out of 200 have been completed and remaining are under construction. The impact assessment studies of the completed recharge projects are being conducted by CGWB. During the XI th Plan , for undertaking demonstrative recharge project, CGWB & state agencies in coordination are coming out studies for feasible areas, structures & other modalities. The detailed project

reports for Artificial Recharge projects received from Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh are under consideration The following efforts have been made to promote rain water harvesting and artificial recharge: (i) Group housing societies, institutions/schools, hotels, industrial establishments and farm houses located in notified areas of South & South West districts, NCT Delhi; Municipal Corporation of Faridabad & Ballabhgarh, Faridabad district, Haryana; Municipal Corporation of Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad district, U.P; Gurgaon town and adjoining industrial areas of Gurgaon district, Haryana; have been directed to adopt roof top rain water harvesting systems. (ii) All group-housing societies located in NCT Delhi in the areas where ground water levels are more than 8 m and are abstracting ground water have been directed to adopt roof top rain water harvesting systems. (iii) Central Ground Water Authority & Ministry of Water Resources had requested all the Chief Secretaries of States and UTs to include provision of roof top rain water harvesting in building bye laws for augmentation of grounds water resources. (iv) Various Central Ministries like Ministry of Defence, Communication, Railways, Information & Broadcasting have also been requested to adopt roof top harvesting systems in their buildings for augmentation of ground water resource. (v) Various State Governments including Delhi have taken/ proposed regulatory measures (Annexure -

III) for making Roof Top rainwater harvesting mandatory.

Awareness Campaign: Central Ground Water Authority has launched awareness campaign regarding ground water conservation measures. Highlights of these activities are given below. (i) Mass Awareness: Conducting mass awareness programmes on Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge of ground water throughout the country involving Central/State/ NGO's, VO's, resident welfare organizations, educational institutions, industries and individuals. (ii)Training in Rain Water Harvesting: Conducting Training programmes to generate resource persons as a measure of capacity building for designing Rain Water Harvesting structures to augment ground water in different terrains and diverse hydrogeological conditions. (iii)Technical Guidance for Rain Water Harvesting : Provided technical guidance and design for rain water harvesting structures for more than 1800 sites in various parts of the country. (iv)Water Conservation Campaign : Water conservation campaign was launched during the Fresh Water Year for various target groups like youth and children, women, farmers and villagers, policy and opinion makers. Various publicity measures like print media, telecasting of spots on the television, broadcasting messages on radio, holding of seminars, workshops, conferences etc. were adopted for the purpose. Awareness was also generated through printing of Meghdoot post cards in Hindi and English, slogans on mail vans and letter boxes through Department of Posts. (v) Production of Films : Films were produced on Rain water harvesting in Urban areas, Rain water harvesting in Rural areas, Ground Water Pollution etc. and shown during various mass awareness and training programmes. (vi)Awareness through Exhibitions : Awareness has been generated through display of working models on various aspects of ground water management and fixing stalls in exhibitions, IITF and important functions.

Drought Prone Areas of the Country

The Irrigation Commission, 1972 has identified 67 drought prone districts comprising of 326 Talukas located in 8 States having an area of 49.73 M. ha. Subsequently, the National Commission on Agriculture, 1976 identified a few more drought prone areas with a slightly different criteria. The erstwhile Drought Area Study and Investigation Organisation of C.W.C. setup in 1978 started with 99 districts after considering the list of districts identified by the Irrigation Commission and also by the National Commission on Agriculture for carrying out further studies.

Criteria adopted by CWC for drought identification

For the studies, Central Water Commission adopted the same criteria as followed by the Irrigation Commission, 1972 i.e. drought is a situation occuring in an area: y When the annual rainfall is less than 75% of the normal in 20% of the years examined. y Less than 30% of the cultivated area is irrigated. Central Water Commission adopted a smaller Unit viz. Talukas for drought identification studies instead of districts and therefore, number of drought affected Talukas were identified as 315 out of a total of 725 Talukas in 99 districts. Accordingly, out of 108 M. ha area of 99 districts, only 51.12 M. ha spread over 74 districts have been considered as drought districts. Thus, in comparison to total geographical area of the country (329 M. ha) about 1/6th is drought prone.

Current Policy

The approach followed to minimise effect of drought during the 8th Five Year Plan were: Larger thrust for watershed development under Drought Prone Area Programme. Dry land farming and water resource development. Instead of capital intensive engineering works for soil and moisture conservation, encourage simple and low cost structures which can be completed in a short time with the help of local skills. Dovetail Crop production activities into the watershed project along with soil conservation activities. Take up large scale dry land farming demonstrations. Limited irrational and over exploitation of groundwater resources. Undertake Research on the efficacy and economics of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems. Construction of suitable water harvesting structures for the purpose of conservation and optimal use of surface water and recharge of underground aquifers. Renovation and restoration of old tanks/farm ponds in the villages. Afforestation and Pasture Development.

Animal Husbandry and Fodder Development. People's participation in drought proofing.

Programme to tackle drought

The systematic Government intervention to tackle drought started as early as during the second Five Year Plan (1956-61) when the Dry Farming Projects were initiated. During 1970-71, the Rural Works Programme (RWP) was formulated with the object of creating assets designed to reduce the severity of drought, wherever it occurred and to provide employment in the drought affected areas. Later, the RWP was re-designated as Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) in 1973-74 and taken up as a centrally sponsored scheme. The burden of funding was borne both by the Central Government and the State Government on a 50 : 50 sharing basis. The major thrust of the Programme was laid on the activities related to soil conservation and development, afforestation, pasture, fodder and grassland development etc. These activities are harmoniously related to each other and their integrated implementation would have the capability to effectively combat drought.

Programme to tackle drought

The systematic Government intervention to tackle drought started as early as during the second Five Year Plan (1956-61) when the Dry Farming Projects were initiated. During 1970-71, the Rural Works Programme (RWP) was formulated with the object of creating assets designed to reduce the severity of drought, wherever it occurred and to provide employment in the drought affected areas. Later, the RWP was re-designated as Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) in 1973-74 and taken up as a centrally sponsored scheme. The burden of funding was borne both by the Central Government and the State Government on a 50 : 50 sharing basis. The major thrust of the Programme was laid on the activities related to soil conservation and development, afforestation, pasture, fodder and grassland development etc. These activities are harmoniously related to each other and their integrated implementation would have the capability to effectively combat drought.

Status of irrigation in drought prone areas

Irrigation has proved to be the most effective drought proofing mechanism and single biggest factor in bringing about a large measure of stability in agricultural production. The Statewise irrigation status of the drought prone areas is given in the link below . It would be seen that the total geographical area of the drought districts is 108 M. ha out of which 81 M. ha is culturable (75%), gross sown area is 61.9 M.ha (57.4%) and the gross irrigated area is 14.3 M. ha. About 23.23% of the total cropped area is irrigated in the drought districts as against an all India average of 30.15%.

Flood Affected Areas

Floods occur in almost all rivers basins of the country. Heavy rainfall, inadequate capacity of rivers to carry the high flood discharge, inadequate drainage to carry away the rainwater quickly to Streams/ Rivers are the main causes of floods. Ice jams or land slides blocking streams; typhoons and cyclones also cause floods. Excessive rainfall combined with inadequate carrying capacity of streams resulting in over

spilling of banks is the cause for flooding in majority of cases.

Flood Prone Areas

Rashtriya Barh Ayog (RBA) constituted by the Government of India in 1976 carried out an extensive analysis to estimate the flood-affected area in the country. RBA in its report (1980) has assessed the area liable to floods as 40 million hectares. It was determined by summing up the maximum area affected by floods in any one year in each state during the period from 1953 to 1978 for which data was analysed by the Ayog. This sum has been corrected for the area that was provided with protection at that time and for the protected area that got affected due to failure of protection works during the period under analysis to arrive at the total area liable to floods in the country as per break-up given below: State 1. Andhra Pradesh 2. Assam 3. Bihar 4. Gujarat 5. Haryana 6. Himachal Pradesh 7. Jammu & Kashmir 8. Karnataka 9.Kerala 10. Madhya Pradesh 11. Maharashtra 12. Manipur 13. Meghalaya 14. Orissa 15. Punjab 16. Rajasthan 17. Tamil Nadu 18. Tripura 19. Uttar Pradesh 20. West Bengal 21. Delhi 22. Pondichery Total Area liable (million Ha.) 1.39 3.15 4.26 1.39 2.35 0.23 0.08 0.02 0.87 0.26 0.23 0.08 0.02 1.40 3.70 3.26 0.45 0.33 7.336 2.65 0.05 0.01 33.516 to Floods

Achievement in Flood Management

Floods being a natural phenomena, total elimination or control of floods is neither practically possible nor economically viable. Hence, flood management aims at providing a reasonable degree of protection against flood damage at economic costs. In India, systematic planning for flood management commenced with the Five Year Plans, particularly with the launching of National Programme of Flood Management in 1954. During the last 48 years, different methods of flood protection structural as well as non-structural have been adopted in different states depending upon the nature of the problem and local conditions. Structural measures include storage reservoirs, flood embankments, drainage channels, anti-erosion works, channel improvement works, detention basins etc. and non-structural measures include flood forecasting, flood plain zoning, flood proofing, disaster preparedness etc.

The various flood management measures undertaken through the successive five year plans are summarized below :-

1. 2. 3. 4.

Flood embankments Drainage channels Towns protection works Villages raised

34397.61 km 51317.50 km 2400 Nos. 4721 Nos.

Reservoirs constructed with exclusive flood control storage include Maithon, Panchet, Tilaiya and Konar in Damodar Valley; Chandil dam on Subarnarekha river and Rengali dam on Brahmani river. In addition, a live storage of 177 billion cubic meter created so far in the various reservoirs for irrigation, hydropower generation, drinking water etc. also help in reducing flood intensity by storing part of the flood waters in them.

State wise physical achievment of works under flood management

The flood management measures undertaken so far has provided reasonable degree of protection to an area of 15.81 million hectares through out the country. State-wise break-up of the achievement in flood management is in the link below: -

Rashtriya Barh Ayog

The National Flood Control Programme was launched in 1954 for the first time, in the country. Since then, sizeable progress has been made in the flood protection measures. Nearly one third of the flood prone area had been afforded reasonable protection by 1976. During the period of two decades, considerable experience had also been gained in planning, implementation and performance of the flood protection and control measures. Advancement in technology had taken place not only in India but also in the world over. It, therefore, became necessary to conduct an in depth study of the countrys approach and programmes of flood control measures and formulation of a flood control policy. It required detailed study of various problems concerned with flood control measures and aspects like soil conservation and afforestation. The Government of India, therefore, decided to set up the Rashtriya Barh Ayog (National Flood Commission) in 1976 to evolve a coordinated, integrated and scientific approach to the flood control problems in the country and to draw out a national plan fixing priorities for implementation in the future. The composition of the Commission was as follows:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6.

Shri Jaisukhlal Hathi - Chairman (Part-time) Two experts in flood control from States - Members One Economist - Member One Agronomist - Member Representative of the Central Water Commission, Ganga Flood Control Commission, and Brahmaputra Flood Control Commission - Members One Member - Secretary.

The terms of reference of the Commission was as follows:-

1.

To review the flood protection measures undertaken since 1954 and to make an evaluation of the benefits and effectiveness of the measures undertaken so far with special reference

to embankments in reducing the damage

2.

To identify the areas where a large number of Zamindari and/or unauthorized embankments, bunds and spurs etc., exist; to assess the effect of such constructions on the flood problem; and suggest remedial measures To identify the areas where construction of roads, highways, railways etc., and other encroachments into drains have aggravated flood problems and to suggest measures for improvements including legislative action, if any To analyze the damage caused by floods in recent years and to identify areas requiring immediate flood protection measures To evolve a comprehensive approach to the problem of floods in the country keeping in view the need for optimum and multi-purpose utilization of water resources as also the role of soil conservation and afforestation in flood control To make an analysis of the cost and benefits of flood protection measures To suggest criteria for taking up flood protection measures and means of mobilizing resources therefore To recommend proper land use in the flood plains with a view to minimize damage and to ensure overall increase in agriculture production To examine the existing arrangements for maintenance of flood protection works and recommend measures for improving the same To review the existing administrative and organizational set up for flood control at the Centre and in the States and suggest improvements where necessary, flood control to include flood forecasting and warning, flood fighting, formulation and implementation of flood protection measures To examine the present procedure of assessing flood damage and suggest improvements To examine any other matter related to floods and flood control and make suitable recommendations.

3.

4.

5.

6. 7.

8.

9.

10.

11. 12.

Though the RBA report was submitted in 1980 and accepted by Government, not much progress has been made in the implementation of its recommendations. As such, Ministry of Water Resources , Govt. of India vide their order No. F.No.22/15/2001-ER/4480-4500 dt. 19.10.2001 set up an Expert Committee to review the Implementation of recommendations of Rashtriya Barh Ayog (RBA). The Committee which was to identify the bottlenecks faced by the State Govt. in its implementation and to examine and suggest measures for implementation of RBA recommendations for effective Flood Management in the country, has since submitted its report. The report of the committee is under examination in the Ministry of Water Resources.

Ground Water Quality Scenario

GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Monitoring of ground water quality is an effort to obtain information on chemical quality through representative sampling in different hydrogeological units. The chemical quality is being monitored by Central Ground Water Board once in a year through a network of about 15000 observation wells located all over the country, in regular monitoring programme. Apart from these observation wells the quality is also monitored through various studies like ground water management studies, ground water exploration etc. The ground water monitoring activity is aimed at generating background data of different chemicals constituents in Ground water on a regional scale.

GROUND WATER QUALITY SCENARIO IN INDIA

Indian Sub- Continent is endowed with diverse geological formations from oldest Achaeans to Recent alluviums and characterized by varying climatic conditions in different parts of the country. The natural chemical content of ground water is influenced by depth of the soils and sub-surface geological formations through which ground water remains in contact. In general, greater part of the country, ground water is of good quality and suitable for drinking, agricultural or industrial purposes. Ground water in shallow aquifers is generally suitable for use for different purposes and is mainly of Calcium Bicarbonate and Mixed type. However, other types of water are also available including Sodium-Chloride water. The quality in deeper aquifers also varies from place to place and is generally found suitable for common uses. There is salinity problem in the coastal tracts and high incidence of fluoride, Arsenic, Iron & heavy metals etc in isolated pockets have also been reported. The distributions of various constituents present in ground water in different parts of the country have been discussed in following paragraphs.

The main ground water quality problems in India are as follows. Salinity:- Salinity in ground water can be of broadly categorised into two types, i.e Inland Salinity and Coastal salinity
Inland Salinity Inland salinity in ground water is prevalent mainly in the arid and semi arid regions of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. There are several places in Rajasthan and southern Haryana where EC values of ground water is greater than 10000 QS /cm at 25o C making water non-potable. In some areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat, ground water salinity is so high that the well water is directly used for salt manufacturing by solar evaporation.

Inland salinity is also caused due to practice of surface water irrigation without consideration of ground water status. The gradual rise of ground water levels with time has resulted in water logging and heavy evaporation in semi arid regions lead to salinity problem in command areas.

Coastal Salinity
The Indian subcontinent has a dynamic coast line of about 7500 km length. It stretches from Rann of Kutch in Gujarat to Konkan and Malabar coast to Kanyakumari in the south to northwards along the Coromandal coast to Sunderbans in West Bengal .The western coast is charactrised by wide continental shelf and is marked by backwaters and mud flats while the eastern coast has a narrow continental shelf and is characterized by

deltaic and estuarine land forms. Ground water in coastal areas occurs under unconfined to confined conditions in a wide range of unconsolidated and consolidated formations. Normally, saline water bodies owe their origin to entrapped sea water (connate water), sea water ingress, leachates from navigation canals constructed along the coast, leachates from salt pans etc. In general, the following situations are encountered in coastal areas
i. ii. iii. Saline water overlying fresh water aquifer Fresh water overlying saline water Alternating sequence of fresh water and saline water aquifers

In India, salinity problems have been observed in a number of places in most of the coastal statesof the country. Problem of salinity ingress has been conspicuously noticed in Minjur area of Tamil Nadu and Mangrol Chorwad- Porbander belt along the Saurashtra coast.

Fluoride
85 % of rural population of the country uses ground water for drinking and domestic purposes.High concentration of fluoride in ground water beyond the permissible limit of 1.5 mg/l poses the health problem. Nearly The occurrences of fluoride beyond permissible limit (> 1.5 mg /litre) has been observed based on the chemical analysis of water samples collected from the groundwater observation wells . The name of the districts having spot values of >1.5 mg/l are give in following table.

State wise details of distribution of flouride in Ground Water above permissible limit
Click here to see the details

Arsenic
The occurrence of Arsenic in ground water was first reported in 1980 in West Bengal in India. InWest Bengal, 79 blocks in 8 districts have Arsenic beyond the permissible limit of 0.05 mg/L.The most affected districts are on the eastern side of Bhagirathi river in the districts of Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas and western side of the districts of Howrah, Hugli and Bardhman. The occurrence of Arsenic in ground water is mainly in the intermediate aquifers upto the depth of 100m. The deeper aquifers are free from Arsenic contamination. Apart from West Bengal, Arsenic contamination in ground water has been found in the states of Bihar, Chhatisgarh and Uttar Pradesh &Assam. Arsenic in ground water has been reported in 15 districts In Bihar, 9 districts in U.P and one district each in Chhatisgarh & Assam states. The occurrence of Arsenic in the states of Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh is in Alluvium formation but in the state of Chhatisgarh, it is in the volcanic rocks exclusively confined to N-S trending Dongargarh-Kotri ancient rift zone. It has also been reported in Dhemaji district of Assam. The following table shows the occurrence of Arsenic in ground water in some state ofIndia.

Occurrence of High Arsenic in Ground Water of Some States of India

Click here to see the details of Occurrence of High Arsenic

In West Bengal & Bihar states, Arsenic contamination affected blocks are based on the findings of Task Force/ State Government. In case of Uttar Pradesh, Assam & Chhattisgarh States Arsenic contamination is identified as point source based on findings of Central Ground Water Board and State Ground Water Departments.

Iron
High concentration of Iron (>1.0 mg/l) in ground water has been observed in more than 1.1 lakh habitations in the country. Ground water contaminated by iron has been reported from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, J& K, Jharkhand Karnataka Kerala. Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal & UT of Andaman & Nicobar.

Nitrate
Nitrate is a very common constituent in the ground water, especially in shallow aquifers. The source is mainly from anthropogenic activities. High concentration of Nitrate in water beyond the permissible limit of 45 mg/l causes health problems. High Nitrate concentration in ground water inIndia has been found in almost all hydrogeological formations.

Domestic Water Supply

The National Water Policy has assigned the highest priority for drinking water supply needs followed by irrigation, hydro-power, navigation and industrial and other uses. In the successive five year plans and the intervening annual plans, efforts have been made to rapidly develop water supply and sanitation systems. In the context of the "International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade", the Government of India launched the decade programmes in April, 1981 with a view to achieving population coverage of 100 percent water supply facilities in urban and rural areas, 80 per cent sanitation facilities in urban areas and 25 per cent sanitation facilities in rural areas respectively by the end of the decade i.e. March, 1991. However, due to financial and other constraints the targets originally set for the decade were scaled down to 90 per cent in the case of urban water supply and 85 per cent in the case of rural water supply, 50 per cent in the case of urban sanitation and 5 per cent in the case of rural sanitation respectively. As per policy adopted provision for drinking water is to be made in all water resources projects. The drinking water requirements of most of the mega cities/cities in India are met from reservoirs of irrigation/multipurpose schemes existing in near by areas and eve by long distance transfer. Delhi getting drinking water from Tehri Dam and Chennai city from Krishna Water through Telugu Ganga Project are typical example

History of Irrigation Development

The history of irrigation development in India can be traced back to prehistoric times. Vedas and ancient Indian scriptures made references to wells, canals, tanks and dams which were beneficial to the community and their efficient operation and maintenance was the responsibility of the State. Civilization flourished on the banks of the rivers and harnessed the water for sustenance of life. According to the ancient Indian writers, the digging of a tank or well was amongst the greatest of the meritorious acts of a man. Brihaspathi, an ancient writer on law and politics, states that the construction and the repair of dams is a pious work and its burden should fall on the shoulders of rich men of the land. Vishnu Purana enjoins merit to a person who effects repairs to wells, gardens and dams. In a monsoon climate and an agrarian economy like India, irrigation has played a major role in the production process. There is evidence of the practice of irrigation since the establishment of settled agriculture during the Indus Valley Civilization (2500 BC). These irrigation technologies were in the form of small and minor works, which could be operated by small households to irrigate small patches of land

and did not require co-operative effort. Nearly all these irrigation technologies still exist in India with little technological change, and continue to be used by independent households for small holdings. The lack of evidence of large irrigation works at this time signifies the absence of large surplus that could be invested in bigger schemes or, in other words, the absence of rigid and unequal property rights. While village communities and co-operation in agriculture did exist as seen in well developed townships and economy, such co-operation in the large irrigation works was not needed, as these settlements were on the fertile and well irrigated Indus basin. The spread of agricultural settlements to less fertile and irrigated area led to co-operation in irrigation development and the emergence of larger irrigation works in the form of reservoirs and small canals. While the construction of small schemes was well within the capability of village communities, large irrigation works were to emerge only with the growth of states, empires and the intervention of the rulers. There used to emerge a close link between irrigation and the state. The king had at his disposal the power to mobilize labour which could be used for irrigation works. In the south, perennial irrigation may have begun with construction of the Grand Anicut by the Cholas as early as second century to provide irrigation from the Cauvery river. Wherever the topography and terrain permitted, it was an old practice in the region to impound the surface drainage water in tanks or reservoirs by throwing across an earthen dam with a surplus weir, where necessary, to take off excess water, and a sluice at a suitable level to irrigate the land below. Some of the tanks got supplemental supply from stream and river channels. The entire land-scape in the central and southern India is studded with numerous irrigation tanks which have been traced back to many centuries before the beginning of the Christian era. In northern India also there are a number of small canals in the upper valleys of rivers which are very old.

Hydro-Electric Power
India has a vast potential for hydro-power generation, particularly in the northern and northeastern region. As per an estimate of Central Electricity Authority, the potential in the country is assessed as 84,000 MW at 60 per cent load factor, which is equivalent to about 450 billion units of annual energy generation. The basin wise distribution is as given below:

Sl. No.

Basin

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Indus Basin Brahmaputra Basin Ganga Basin Central India Basin West Flowing River System East Flowing River System Total

Potential at 60 per cent load factor (MW) 20,000 35,000 11,000 3,000 6,000 9,000 84,000

At the time of independence, out of total installed capacity of 1362 MW, hydro-power generation capacity stood at 508 MW. The capacity has since been raised to about 13,000 MW. In addition 6,000 MW is available from projects under construction. A potential of about 3,000 MW is contemplated from projects already cleared. The total potential harnessed/under harnessing would thus be about 22,000 MW which is nearly one-fourth of the estimated potential.

Industrial Use

A basic necessity of industrial development is adequate availability of water. The Second Irrigation Commission in their report of 1972 recommended a provision of 50 b.cu.m. for industrial purpose for the country as a whole. However, a recent assessment indicates that requirement for industrial use during 2000 AD will be about 30 b.cu.m. while it will rise to 120 b.cu.m by 2025 AD

Inland Pisciculture
As a consequence of water resources development works, apart from the major objectives there has been development in various other sectors as well. Among them, development in inland fish production occupies a prominent place. During 1950-51, total inland fish production stood at 0.22 m.t. which by 1994-95 has gone upto 2.08 m.t. India has now the distinction of being the seventh largest producer of fish in the world and second largest producer of inland fish after China. Amongst the States, West Bengal is the highest producer followed by Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. These three States put together produce about 50 p[er cent of total inland fish production in the country, while West Bengal along accounts for about one third of the production.

Institutional Arrangements
At the central level the Union Ministry of Water Resources is responsible for development, conservation and management of water as a national resource, i.e., for the general policy on water resources development and for technical assistance to the states on irrigation, multipurpose projects, ground water exploration and exploitation, command area development, drainage, flood control, water logging, sea erosion problems, dam safety and hydraulic structures for navigation and hydropower. It also oversees the regulation and development of inter-State rivers. These functions are carried out through various Central Organisations.Urban water supply and sewage disposal is handled by the Ministry of Urban Development while Rural Water Suppy comes in the purview of Department of Drinking Water under Ministry of Rural Development. The subject of Hydro-electric power and thermal power is the responsibility of the Ministry of Power. Pollution and environment control comes under the purview of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Water being a State subject, the State Governments have primary responsibility for use and control of this resource. The administrative control and responsibility for development of water rests with the various State Departments and Corporations. Major and medium irrigation is handled by the irrigation/water resources departments. Minor irrigation is looked after partly by water resources departments, minor irrigation corporations, Zilla Parishads/Panchayats and by the other departments such as agriculture. Urban water supply is generally the responsibility of public health departments and panchayats take care of rural water supply. Government tubewells are constructed and managed by the irrigation/water resources department or by tube well corporations set up for the purpose. Hydro-power is the responsibility of the State Electricity Boards.

Irrigation
The irrigation projects are classified into three categories viz major, medium and minor. Projects which have a Cultivable Command Area (CCA) of more than 10,000 ha. are termed as major projects, those which have a CCA of less than 10,000 ha. but more than 2,000 ha. are termed as medium projects and those which have a CCA of 2,000 ha. or less are known as minor projects. A broad assessment of the area that can be ultimately brought under irrigation, both by surface and ground water, made by the various States in sixties has indicated that ultimate irrigation potential of the country would be of the order of 113 m.ha.. However, the ultimate potential is 139 m.ha, the increase being primarily due to upward revision in assessed potential of minor ground water schemes and minor surface water schemes to 64 m.ha and 17 m.ha respectively. Minor irrigation projects have both surface and ground water as their source, while major and medium projects mostly exploit surface water resources.

Irrigation Development at the Time of Independence

The net irrigated area in the Indian sub continent, comprising the British Provinces and Princely States, at the time of independence was about 28.2 m.ha. The partition of the country, however, brought about sudden and drastic changes, resulting in the apportionment of the irrigated area between the two countries; net irrigated area in India and Pakistan being 19.4 m.ha and 8.8 m.ha respectively. Major canal systems, including the Sutlej and Indus systems fell to Pakistans share. East Bengal, now Bangladesh, which comprises the fertile Ganga Brahmaputra delta region also went to Pakistan. The irrigation works which remained with India, barring some of the old works in Uttar Pradesh and in the deltas of the South, were mostly of protective nature, meant more to ward off famine than to produce significant yields.

Irrigation Development Under British

Irrigation development under British rule began with the renovation, improvement and extension of existing works, like the ones mentioned above. When enough experience and confidence had been gained, the Government ventured on new major works, like the Upper Ganga Canal, the Upper Bari Doab Canal and Krishna and Godavari Delta Systems, which were all river-diversion works of considerable size. The period from 1836 to 1866 marked the investigation, development and completion of these four major works. In 1867, the Government adopted the practice of taking up works, which promised a minimum net return. Thereafter, a number of projects were taken up. These included major canal works like the Sirhind, the Lower Ganga, the Agra and the Mutha Canals, and the Periyar Dam and canals. Some other major canal projects were also completed on the Indus system during this period. These included the Lower Swat, the Lower Sohag and Para, the Lower Chenab and the Sidhnai Canals, ali of which went to Pakistan in 1947. The recurrence of drought and famines during the second half of the nineteenth century necessitated the development of irrigation to give protection against the failure of crops and to reduce large scale expenditure on famine relief. As irrigation works in low rainfall tracts were not considered likely to meet the productivity test, they had to be financed from current revenues. Significant protective works constructed during the period were the Betwa Canal, the Nira Left Bank Canal, the Gokak Canal, the Khaswad Tank and the Rushikulya Canal. Between the two types of works, namely productive and protective, the former received greater attention from the Government. The gross area irrigated in British India by public works at the close of the nineteenth century was about 7.5 m.ha. Of this, 4.5 m.ha. came from minor works, like tanks, inundation canals etc. for which no separate capital accounts were maintained. The area irrigated by protective works was only a little more than 0.12 m.ha.

Navigation
Total navigable length of inland water-ways in the country is 15,783 km of which maximum stretch lies in the state of Uttar Pradesh followed by West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kerala and Bihar successively. Amongst the river system, the Ganga has the largest navigable length followed by the Godavari, the Brahmaputra and the rivers of West Bengal. Waterways are having the unique advantage of accessibility to interior places. Besides, they provide cheaper means of transport with far less pollution and communicational obstacles. The waterways traffic movement has gone up progressively from 0.11 m.t. in 1980-81 to 0.33 m.t. in 1994-95. The development of inland water transport is of crucial importance from the point of energy conservation as well. The ten waterways identified for consideration for being declared as national waterways are namely: y The Ganga-Bhagirath-hoogli

y y y y y y y y y

The The The The The The The The The

Brahmaputra Mandavi, Zuari river and the Cumbarjua Canal in Goa Mahanadi Godavari Narmada Sunderbans Area Krishna Tapi West Coast Canal.

The Ganga Bhagirath-Hoogli and Brahmaputra have already been declared as National Waterways. Farakka Navigation Lock has been opened for transport, thus allowing transport for upstream reaches of Ganga with Calcutta. With network of national waterways the carriage and cargo in this sector in the 10 river systems is expected to increase by 35 m.t. per year. The consumptive use of water for navigation is not substantial as the wastage is only at the point of terminal storage projects.

Plan Development
In the initial phase of water resources development during the plan period after independence, rapid harnessing of water resources was the prime objective. Accordingly, the State Governments were encouraged to expeditiously formulate and develop water resources projects for specific purposes like irrigation, flood control, hydropower generation, drinking water supply, industrial and various miscellaneous uses. As a result, a large number of projects comprising dams, barrages, hydropower structures, canal network etc. have come up all over the country in successive Five Year Plans. A milestone in water resources development in India is creation of a huge storage capability. Because of these created storage works it has now become possible to provide assured irrigation in the command area, to ensure supply for hydropower and thermal power plants located at different places and to meet requirement for various other uses. Flood moderation could be effected in flood prone basins, where storage has been provided. Besides, supply of drinking water in remote places throughout the year has become possible in different parts of the country. At the time of commencement of the First Five Year Plan in 1951, population of India was about 361 million and annual food grain production was 51 million tonnes (m.t.), which was not adequate. Import of food grains was then inevitable to cover up the shortage. Attaining self sufficiently in food was therefore given paramount importance in the plan period and in order to achieve the objective, various major, medium and minor irrigation and multi-purpose projects were formulated and implemented through successive Five Year Plans to create additional irrigation potential throughout the country. This drive compounded with green revolution in the agricultural sector, has enabled India to become marginally surplus country from a deficit one in food grains. Thus the net irrigated area is 39 percent of net sown are and 30 percent of total cultivable area. As stated earlier, the ultimate potential due to major and medium projects has been assessed as 58 m.ha. of which 64 per cent estimated to be developed.

Water Development and Health

While water is essential for sustenance of human life, it can as well create problems concerning human health being a carrier of vectors for diseases such as typhoid, cholera, diarrhoea, malaria, filariasis, shistosomiasis etc. if mismanaged. Water development projects have, however, contributed positively to the human health in the country. Among the human health benefits, the important one is improved diets resulting from an increased production of staple foods, new opportunity of growing fruits and vegetables and increased purchasing

power for foods not produced by those on farm. Other nutrition improvement is due to development of pisciculture and better facilities for feeding and watering the domestic livestock which can also improve diet and income considerably. The development of water development projects not only enabled the country to overcome floods and drought but also have provided enough food and fibre for the ever increasing population. Water development projects have facilities in providing safe water for human consumption, considering scarcity of water now faced in most parts of the country. Almost all the projects implemented in the country provide water for domestic purpose although primarily some of the projects were not meant for this purpose. With 80-90 per cent precipitation accruing during monsoon only, it has become imperative to store water for domestic use. Water supply also has helped to keep populated areas clean and hygienic through better drainage and improved sanitation. Water supply has thus contributed in improvement of health.

Irrigation During Medieval India

In the medieval India, rapid advances also took place in the construction of inundation canals. Water was blocked by constructing bunds across steams. This raised the water level and canals were constructed to take water to the fields. These bunds were built by both the state and private sources. Ghiyasuddin Tughluq (1220-1250 is credited to be the first ruler who encouraged digging canals. However, it is Fruz Tughlug (1351-86) who, inspired from central Asian experience, is considered to be the greatest canal builder before the nineteenth century. Irrigation is said to be one of the major reasons for the growth and expansion of the Vijayanagar empire in southern India in the fifteenth century. It may be noted that, but for exceptional cases, most of the canal irrigation prior to the arrival of the British was of the diversionary nature. The state, through the promotion of irrigation, had sought to enhance revenue and provide patronage through rewards of fertile land and other rights to different classes. Irrigation had also increased employment opportunities and helped in the generation of surplus for the maintenance of the army and the bureaucracy. As agricultural development was the pillar of the economy, irrigation systems were paid special attention. This is demonstrated by the fact that all the large, powerful and stable empires paid attention to irrigation development.

Flood Management Programme

1. Introduction 2. Revised Guidelines 3. Flood Management Works undertaken with Central Assistance in Uttar Pradesh Annexures : a. b. c. d. e. f. Sanction Order issued by the Ministry of Water Resources constituting the Empowered Committee

Minutes of Meetings of the Empowered State-wise break-up of on-going works approved by EC-FM in its six meetings State-wise details of area to be protected and population to be State-wise details of funds released for on-going works approved in XI plan as on 15th November2010 State-wise details of physical achievements and outcome as the area protected and population benefited upto 31st July2010

Flood Forecasting

Flood forecasting has been recognized as one of the most important, reliable and cost-effective non-structural measures for flood management. Recognizing the crucial role it can play, Central Water Commission, Ministry of Water Resources has set up a network of forecasting stations covering all important flood prone interstate rivers. The forecasts issued by these stations are used to alert the Public and to enable the administrative and engineering agencies of the States/UT's to take appropriate measures. Central Water Commission started flood-forecasting services in 1958 with the setting up of its first forecasting station on Yamuna at Delhi Railway Bridge. The Flood Forecasting Services of CWC consists of collection of Hydrological/ Hydro-meteorological data from 878 sites, transmission of the data using wireless/ fax/ email/ telephones /satellites /mobiles, processing of data, formulation of forecast and dissemination of the same. Presently, a network of 175 Flood Forecasting Stations including 28 inflow forecast, in 9 major river basins and 71 sub basins of the country exists. It covers 15 States besides NCT Delhi and UT of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Central Water Commission on an average issues 6000 flood forecasts with an accuracy of more than 95% every year. The state wise details of 175 stations are as under: Brief on the objectives of IEC Scheme

Information, Education and Communication Scheme has been launched during XI plan with the aims to create awareness among various target groups about the importance of development and management of water resources in a holistic manner with due emphasis on a coordinated effort for addressing various water related issues. The overall scenario of water resources, dependency on water for various requirements of the society, the urgent need for conservation of water and preservation of its quality, the advantages of adoption of integrated approach and participatory management etc. issues are covered under the IEC Scheme.

The objectives of the scheme are as follows:(i) To create awareness for optimal sustainable development, maintenance of quality and efficient use of countrys water resource to match the growing demands on this precious natural resources with active involvement of all stakeholders in order to achieve accelerated, equitable, economic development of the country,

(ii) To create awareness for the urgent need for mutual cooperation and adopting integrated planning and participatory approach in management,

(iii)

To create awareness among the people about necessity of water conservation,

(iv) To promote advocacy on the tenets of National Water Policy with focus on setting learning, documenting and dissemination of knowledge of water science and technology and issues concerning sustained development of water resources,

(v) To create awareness about necessity of adopting measures for rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge of ground water to meet present and future needs of water,

(vi) support structure.

To strengthen awareness infrastructure specially campaign mechanism and

The total funds under the scheme are Rs. 83.00 crore for the XI Five Year Plan. During the first FY of XI Plan i.e. 2007-08, an amount of Rs. 2.00 crore only was earmarked whereas during FY 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 funds amounting to Rs. 13.00 crore, Rs. 12.00 crore, Rs. 14.10 crore and Rs.25 crores have been allocated respectively for implementing various approved mass awareness activities under the IEC Scheme.

A brief on the Major activities carried out under Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Scheme of Ministry of Water Resources

[During the years 2007-08 to 2010-2011]

The IEC Scheme aims to create awareness among various target groups about the importance of development and management of water resources in a holistic manner with due emphasis on a coordinated effort for addressing various water related issues. The Scheme covers the overall scenario of water resources, dependency on water for various requirements of the society, the urgent need for conservation of water and preservation of its quality, the advantages of adoption of integrated approach and participatory management etc. To achieve the objectives of the scheme the following activities have been undertaken under IEC Scheme:-

(1).

Publicity through Electronic Media

Electronic Media Campaign through telecast/broadcast of video/audio spots of 30 sec. duration on Water Conservation in Hindi and 14 regional languages on DD National, DD News, Regional Channels of Doordarshan and FM, National News, Vividh Bharti and Local Radio Stations of All India Radio during the years 2008-09, 2009-10 & 2010-11. During the year 2009-10 Lok Sabha TV was also utilized for Electronic Media Campaign by telecasting of video spots as well as the film on Farmers Participatory Action Research Programme.

(2).

Painting Competition on Water Conservation issues

A three tier painting competition on water conservation themes was organised by the Ministry for the students of 4th, 5th and 6th standards in 21 States/UTs of the country. The objective of organising the painting competition was to engage the attention of children towards the need of water conservation and to inculcate in them the habit of judicious use of water right from their formative years.

In all 267522 students from 5070 schools had participated in the school level competition. Out of these, 50 students from each State/UT were selected by the jury for competing at the State Level. The State Level Painting Competition in these States/UTs was organized on 14.11.2010. The top three winners from each State/UT were called to participate in the National Level Painting Competition on

21.1.2011 at New Delhi.

The winners were awarded a cash Prize of Rs. 1 Lakh (1st prize), four second prizes of Rs.50,000/each, eight third prizes of Rs. 25,000/- each and ten consolation prizes of Rs.10,000 each, along with a Certificate and a memento.

(3).

Publicity through newspapers/magazines.

Every year, Advertisements on Dos and Donts for Water Conservation, measures for Water Conservation and policies and programmes of the Ministry etc. are released on important occasions in newspapers publishing from various parts of the country and in a few magazines.

During the year 2007-08, a special feature on water was also released in the inflight magazine Swagat.

(4).

Publicity through participation in Exhibitions/Fairs.

Every year Ministry along with its organizations participates in India International Trade Fair held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi by way of its pavilion depicting various working models, diorama of water cycle etc. and by putting up interactive kiosks, quiz shows and cultural programmes for students. Booklets, pamphlets, stickers and other publicity materials and freebees like key rings, paper caps carrying the messages of Water Conservation are distributed to the visitors. Certificates of participation in quiz shows are also distributed to the children.

During the years Ministry has participated in the ASOM International Trade Fair at Guwahati, Indian Science Congress at Shillong, SAARC Trade Fair held at Thimpu, Bhutan, Thrissur Pooram Exhibition at Thrissur, Science and Technology Expo at Nainital, Congress, Shillong, 14th National Exhibition at Kolkata in 2010-11.

Apart from these the Central Water Commission and Central Ground Water Board, organisations under the Ministry participates in large number of fairs and exhibitions to promote the message of water conservation.

(5).

Celebration of Special Days.

Every year World Water Day is celebrated on 22nd March at New Delhi and in the field offices of Organisations of the Ministry. On this occasion an Advertisement is released in newspapers publishing from various State Capitals and workshops on various water related issues are also organized at New Delhi and various field offices of organizations.

(6).

Organisation of Workshops/Seminars.

Various Workshops/Mass Awareness Programmes/Water Management Training Programmes/Jal

Yatras etc. were organized through field offices of CWC/CGWB and under CADWM.

Other major Workshops/Seminars organised by the Ministry/its organisations were Editors Conference on Social Sector Issues organized in association with Press Information Bureau, 13th Asian Regional Conference at Kolkatta, a workshop on remote sensing was organized by MoWR at New Delhi, three Workshops on Water Conservation, Artificial Recharge and improving Water Use Efficiency were organized for the benefit of Armed Forces at Kargil, Gangtok and Jaipur during 2009-10 with all logistic support of Army, Conference of Principal Secretaries/WALMIs was organized at New Delhi, Workshop on Integrated Water Resources Management at Shillong etc..

(7).

Production of Documentary Film.

A documentary film on Farmers Participatory Action Research Programme was produced.

(8).

Publicity through Mass Media Transport Vehicle.

Publicity through posters, banners, hoardings at Railway Stations, Bus shelters and Metro Stations/Platforms/Trains/Pillars is carried out throughout the country.

(9).

Grant in Aid to Chambers of Commerce etc.

During the year 2007-08, Ministry released Grant in Aid of Rs. one lakh each to CII for organizing conference on Indias Water Economy: Law & Sustainable Development and India Network on Participatory Irrigation Management for organizing National Convention of Water Users Associations Presidents organized by India NPIM;

In the year 2009-10, several mass awareness activities were organized by National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Water Resources during the Kumbh Mela for which a grant-in-aid of Rs. 79 lakh was released to NIH.

(10).

Publicity through Post Offices located in various parts of the country.

Printing and Distribution of 5 lakh Meghdoot Postcards during 2007- 08 and 6 lakh Meghdoot Postcards during 2008-09 carrying the messages of rooftop rainwater harvesting in English/Hindi and regional languages.

Commemorative Postage Stamp on Water Year-2007 was released in December, 2007.

The Sarkaria Commission

It is generally observed that the Tribunals set up for resolving inter-State issues take considerable time to give decision/awards. The matter received attention of Sarkaria Commission. The Sarkaria Commission in its report at Chapter XVII on Inter-State River Water Disputes has recommended that:-

Once an application under Section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act (33 of 1956 ) is received from a State, it should be mandatory on the Union Government to constitute a Tribunal within a period not exceeding one year from the date of receipt of the application of any disputant State. The Inter- State River Water Disputes Act may be suitably amended for this purpose. The Inter-State Water Disputes Act should be amended to empower the Union Government to appoint a Tribunal, suo-moto, if necessary, when it is satisfied that such a dispute exists in fact. There should be a Data Bank and information system at the national level and adequate machinery should be set up for this purpose at the earliest. There should also be a provision in the Inter-State Water Disputes Act that States shall be required to give necessary data for which purpose the Tribunal may be vested with powers of a court. The inter-State Water Disputes Act should be amended to ensure that the award of a Tribunal becomes effective within five years from the date of constitution of a Tribunal. If, however, for some reasons, a Tribunal feels that the five years period has to be extended, the Union Government may on a reference made by the Tribunal extend its term. The Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956 should be amended so that a Tribunal's award has the same force and sanction behind it as an order or decree of the Supreme Court to make a Tribunal's award really binding.

These five recommendations were considered by the erstwhile Sub-Committee of the Inter-State Council. The Sub-Committee accepted four out of five recommendations. The remaining one recommendation against para 17.6.01 of Sarkaria Commission's Report was accepted with a minor modification. The time frame specified for constituting a Tribunal by the Union Govt. was increased from one year to two years. The Inter-State Council in its meeting held on 15.10.96 generally endorsed the recommendations. However, in view of the reservations expressed by some of the Chief Ministers, it was decided that they would convey their reservations to the Inter-State Council Secretariat so that their views could be further considered by the Standing committee of the Inter-State council. Taking into account the views of the State Governments and that of the Ministry of Water Resources, the Inter-State Council Secretariat prepared a consensus paper on the recommendations of Sarkaria Commission, which was deliberated upon during fifth meeting of the Standing Committee of Inter-State council held on 10.11.97 under the chairmanship of the Union Minister of Home Affairs. The recommendations of the Standing Committee on these five recommendations (at para 17.6.01 to 17.6.05 ) are as under :

Sarkaria Recommendation of the Standing Rec.No. Para no. Commission Report Committee of the Inter State Council Agreed in toto the contents of the of the Sarkaria 212 17.6.01 recommendation Commission This recommendation of the Sarkaria 213 17.6.02 Commission has not been agreed to. Agreed in toto the contents of the 214 17.6.03 recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission. 215 17.6.04 The recommendation of the Standing Committee on this item is as below : "The Tribunal should give its award within a

216

period of three years from the date of its constitution. However, if for unavoidable reasons the award could not be given within a period of three years, the Union Government may extend the period suitably not exceeding two years. The award should be implemented within two years from the date of notification of the award. If for unavoidable reasons the award could not be implemented within a period of two years the Union Government may extend the period suitably." 17.6.05 Agreed in toto the the contents of the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission.

Based on the recommendations given by the Inter-State Council on Sarkaria Commissions Recommendation a bill for amending the Inter State Water Disputes Act 1956 was introduced in Lok Sabha on 7.3.2001. The Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on 3.8.2001 and Rajya Sabha on 11.3.2002 and received the assent of the President on 28.3.2002.

Inter - State River Water Disputes Act 1956

Short Title and Extent y This Act may be called the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956. y It extends to the whole of India.

Definitions In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires y y y "Prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act "Tribunal" means a Water Disputes Tribunal constituted under section 4 "Water dispute" means any dispute or difference between two or more State Governments with respect to:

  

The use, distribution or control of the waters of, or in, any inter-State river or river valley or The interpretation of the terms of any agreement relating to the use, distribution or control of such waters or the implementation of such agreement or The levy of any water rate in contravention of the prohibition contained in section 7.

Complaints by State Governments as to water disputes

If it appears to the Government of any State that a water dispute with the Government of another State has arisen or is likely to arise by reason of the fact that the interests of the State, or of any of the inhabitants thereof, in the waters of an inter-State river or river valley have been, or are likely to be, affected prejudicially by(a) any executive action or legislation taken or passed, or proposed to be taken or passed, by the other State; or (b) the failure of the other State or any authority therein to exercise any of their powers with respect to the use, distribution or control of such waters; or (c) the failure of the other State to implement the terms of any agreement relating to the use, distribution or control of such waters; the State Government may, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, request the Central Government to refer the water dispute to a Tribunal for adjudication.

Constitution of Tribunal

1. When any request under section 3 is received from any State Government in respect of any water dispute and the Central Government is of opinion that the water dispute cannot be settled by negotiations, the Central Government shall, within a period not exceeding one year from the date of receipt of such request, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Water Disputes Tribunal for the adjudication of the water dispute: Provided that any dispute settled by a Tribunal before the commencement of Inter-State Water Disputes (Amendment) Act, 2002 shall not be re-opened"

2. The Tribunal shall consist of a Chairman and two other members nominated in this behalf by the Chief Justice of India from among persons who at the time of such nomination are Judges of the Supreme Court or of a High Court.

3. The Central Government may, in consultation with the Tribunal, appoint two or more persons as assessors to advise the Tribunal in the proceedings before it".

Adjudication of water disputes

When a Tribunal has been constituted under section 4, the Central Government shall, subject to the prohibition contained in section 8, refer the water dispute and any matter appearing to be connected with, or relevant to, the water dispute to the Tribunal for adjudication.

The Tribunal shall investigate the matters referred to it and forward to the Central Government a report setting out the facts as found by it and giving its decision on the matters referred to it within a period of three years. Provided that if the decision cannot be given for unavoidable reason, within a period of three years, the Central Government may extend the period for a further period not exceeding two years.

If, upon consideration of the decision of the Tribunal, the Central Government or any State Government is of opinion that anything therein contained requires explanation or that guidance is needed upon any point not originally referred to the Tribunal, the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, within three months from the date of the decision, again refer the matter to the Tribunal for further consideration, and on such reference, the Tribunal may forward to the Central Government a further report within one year from the date of such reference giving such explanation or guidance as it deems fit and in such a case, the decision of the Tribunal shall be deemed to be modified accordingly: Provided that the period of one year within which the Tribunal may forward its report to the Central Government may be extended by the Central Government, for such further period as it considers necessary.

If the members of the Tribunal differ in opinion on any point, the point shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority

Filling of Vacancies
If, for any reason a vacancy (other than a temporary absence) occurs in the office of the Chairman or any other member of a Tribunal, such vacancy shall be filled by a person to be nominated in this behalf by the Chief Justice of India in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 4, and the investigation of the matter referred to the Tribunal may be continued by the Tribunal after the vacancy is

filled and from the stage at which the vacancy occurred.

Publication of Decision of Tribunal

The Central Government shall publish the decision of the Tribunal in the Official Gazette and the decision shall be final and binding on the parties to the dispute and shall be given effect to by them. The decision of the Tribunal, after its publication in the Official Gazette by the Central Government under sub-section (1) , shall have the same force as an order or decree of the Supreme Court.

Power to make schemes to implement decisions of tribunal

1. Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, frame a scheme or schemes whereby provision may be made for all matters necessary to give effect to the decision of a Tribunal.

2. A scheme framed under sub-section (1) may provide fory y the establishment of any authority (whether described as such or as a committee or other body) for the implementation of the decision or directions of the Tribunal; the composition, jurisdiction, powers and functions of the authority, term of office and other conditions of service of, the procedure to be follow-by, and the manner of filling vacancies among, the members of the authority; the holding of a minimum number of meetings of the authority every year, the quorum for such meetings and the procedure thereat; the appointment of any standing, ad hoc or other committees by the authority; the employment of a Secretary and other staff by the authority, the pay and allowances and other conditions of service of such staff; the constitution of a fund by the authority, the amounts that may be credited to such fund and the expenses to which the fund may be applied; the form and the manner in which accounts shall be kept by the authority; the submission of an annual report by the authority of its activities. the decisions of the authority which shall be subject to review; the constitution of a committee for making such review and the procedure to be followed by such committee; and any other matter which may be necessary or proper for the effective implementation of the decision or directions of the Tribunal.

y y y y y y y y y

3. In making provision in any scheme framed under sub-section (1)

Prohibition of levy of seigniorage, etc.

1) No State Government shall, by reason only of the fact that any works for the conservation, regulation or utilisation of water resources of an inter-State river have been constructed within the limits of the State, impose, or authorise the imposition of, any seigniorage or additional rate or fee (by whatever name

called) in respect of the use of such water by any other State or the inhabitants thereof. 2) Any dispute or difference between two or more State Governments with respect to the levy of any water rate in contravention of the prohibition contained in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be a water dispute.

Bar of reference of certain disputes to tribunal

Notwithstanding anything contained in section 3 or section 5, no reference shall be made to a Tribunal of any dispute that may arise regarding any matter which may be referred to arbitration under the River Boards Act, 12[1956].

Powers of Tribunal
1. The Tribunal shall have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely :summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; requiring the discovery and production of documents and material objects (ba.) requisitioning of any data, as may be required by it. issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or for local investigation; any other matter which may be prescribed. the Code of Civil

2. The Tribunal may require any State Government to carry out, or permit to be carried out, such surveys and investigation as may be considered necessary for the adjudication of any water dispute pending before it.

3. A decision of the Tribunal may contain directions as to the Government by which the expenses of the Tribunal and any costs incurred by any State Government in appearing before the Tribunal are to be paid, and may fix the amount of any expenses or costs to be so paid, and so far as it relates to expenses or costs, may be enforced as if it were an order made by the Supreme Court.

4.[Subject to the provisions of this Act and any rules that may be made hereunder] the Tribunal may, by order, regulate its practice and procedure.

Maintenance of Data Bank and Information

1) The Central Government shall maintain a data bank and information system at the national level for each river basin which shall include data regarding water resources, land, agriculture, and matters relating thereto, as the Central Government may prescribe from time to time. The State

Government shall supply the data to the Central Government or to an agency appointed by the Central Government for the purpose, as and when required. 2) The Central Government shall have powers to verify the data supplied by the State Government, and appoint any person or persons for the purpose and take such measures as it may consider necessary. The person or persons so appointed shall have the powers to summon such records and information from the concerned State Government as are considered necessary to discharge their functions under this section.

Allowances or Fees for Chairman and other Members of Tribunal and Assessors

The Chairman and other members of a Tribunal] and the assessors shall be entitled to receive such remuneration, allowances or fees as may be prescribed.

Bar of jurisdiction of Supreme Court and other Courts

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall have or exercise jurisdiction in respect of any water dispute which may be referred to a Tribunal under this Act.

Dissolution of Tribunal The Central Government shall dissolve the Tribunal after it has forwarded its report and as soon as the Central Government is satisfied that no further reference to the Tribunal in the matter would be necessary.

Power to make rules

1) The Central Government, after consultation with the State Governments, may, bynotification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.

2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely;-

the form and manner in which a complaint as to any water dispute may be made by any State Government the matters in respect of which a Tribunal may be vested with the powers of a civil court the procedure to be followed by a Tribunal under this Act
17

the remuneration, allowances or fees payable to Tribunal and assessors

[the Chairman and other members] of a

the terms and conditions of service of officers and assessors of the Tribunal

any other matter which has to be, or may be, prescribed.

3) Every rule made under this section shall be laid as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of thirty days, 20 [which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid] both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

Current Inter State River Water disputes and Tribunals

Ravi & Beas Waters Tribunal Vansadhara River Water Dispute Mahadayi/ Mandovi River Krishna River Water Dispute Tribunal Cauvery Water Disputes

Ravi & Beas Waters Tribunal

1. Surplus Ravi-Beas waters refers to available Ravi-Beas waters excluding the pre-partition utilization of 3.13 MAF by Rajasthan, the then Punjab and J&K. The surplus Ravi-Beas waters were first allocated in a Conference of the Chief Ministers held in January 1955, then by a Govt. of India Notification dated 24.3.1976 subsequent to the reorganization of Punjab in Nov. 1966 and later, in an agreement dated 31.12.1981 among the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. As the issues got re-opened, there were prolonged negotiations which culminated in signing of the Punjab Memorandum of Settlement (Rajiv-Longowal Accord) on 24.7.1985 between the then Prime Minister of India, Shri Rajiv Gandhi and the then President of Shiromani Akali Dal, Sant Harchand Singh Longowal.

2. Para 9.0 of the Accord, on sharing of river waters states as under:-

9.0 Sharing of River Waters

9.1 The farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan will continue to get water not less than what they are using from the Ravi Beas system as on 1.7.85. Waters used for consumptive purposes will also remain unaffected. Quantum of usage shall be verified by the Tribunal referred to in Para 9.2 below:

9.2 The claim of Punjab and Haryana regarding the shares in their remaining waters will be referred for adjudication to a Tribunal to be presided over by a Supreme Court Judge. The decision of this Tribunal will be rendered within six months and would be binding on both parties. All legal and constitutional steps required in this respect shall be taken immediately.

9.3 The construction of SYL Canal shall continue. The Canal shall be completed by August 15, 1986.

3. Pursuant to the Accord, the Inter State River Water Disputes Act 1956 (ISRWD Act) was amended and a three-Member Ravi & Beas Waters Tribunal (RBWT) was set up in April 1986, to verify and adjudicate the matters specified in paragraphs 9.1 and 9.2 respectively, of the Accord. The Tribunal gave its report on 30.1.1987, which was forwarded to the States on 20.5.1987. References under Section 5(3) of the ISRWD Act, of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and Central Govt. seeking some explanation/ guidance on the report were forwarded to the Tribunal on 19.8.1987 and are since under their consideration.

4. Hearings of the Tribunal have come to depend on the outcome of a Presidential Reference related to constitutionality of the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004 pending before the Honble Supreme Court.

PUNJAB TERMINATION OF AGREEMENTS ACT, 2004 Punjab Legislature on 12.07.04 enacted the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004 (PTAA). The Act terminates all agreements relating to the Ravi Beas waters, including the agreement dated 31.12.1981 signed by the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and fully discharges Government of Punjab of any obligation arising from the agreements. The Act provides that all existing and actual utilizations through the existing systems shall remain protected and unaffected. A Presidential Reference regarding the PTAA has been made on 22.07.2004 under Article 143 of the Constitution of India.

Vansadhara River Water Dispute

1) The State of Orissa in February 2006 sent a complaint to the Central Government under Section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956 regarding water disputes between the Government of Orissa and Government of Andhra Pradesh pertaining to Inter-State River Vansadhara for constitution of a Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal for adjudication. The main grievance of the State of Orissa in the complaint sent to the Central Government is basically adverse effect of the executive action of Govt. of Andhra Pradesh in undertaking the construction of a canal taking off from the river

Vamasadhara called as flood flow canal at Katragada and failure of Govt. of Andhra Pradesh to implement the terms of inter-State agreement understanding etc. relating to use, distribution and control of waters of inter-State river Vansadhara and its valley. Basic contention of State of Orissa in the complaint is that the flood flow canal would result in drying up the existing river bed and consequent shifting of the river affecting ground water table. It has also raised the issue of scientific assessment of available water in Vansadhara at Katragada and Gotta Barrage and the basis for sharing the available water. 2) As per the provision of ISRWD Act, 1956, when any request under Section 3 is received from any State Government in respect of any water dispute and the Central Government is of opinion that the water dispute cannot be settled by negotiations, the Central government shall, within a period of not exceeding one year from the date of receipt of such request, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Water Disputes Tribunal for the adjudication of the water dispute. Accordingly, Secretary (WR) convened an inter-State meeting on 24.4.2006 at New Delhi to explore the possibility of finding out negotiated settlement of the dispute. In the meeting, both the States agreed that yield of the river is to be shared between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh on 50 50 basis. Both States also agreed that CWC will reassess the yield of the Vansadhara basin by utilizing the yield series upto 2005 for which necessary utilization data shall be furnished by the concerned State Government expeditiously. Based on the conclusions reached in the meeting, Central Government is hopeful of finding the negotiated settlement of the dispute. The effect of flood flow canal on the river region is being investigated through a model study in CWPRS. 3) In continuation of this process, another inter-State meeting at the level of Addl. Secretary (WR) was convened on 5th -6th December, 2006 in which the follow-up action taken on the decision of the previous Inter-State meeting was reviewed. Further, Addl. Secretary (WR) convened another inter-State meeting on 2nd March, 2007 to review the follow-up action on the conclusions reached in the meeting taken by him on 5th & 6th December, 2006. In the meeting, Addl. Secretary (WR) felt that it may be appropriate to request Secretary (WR) to call another meeting at the level of Chief Secretaries of State of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh in view of the divergent position stated by officials of respective States in an explicit manner. 4) Meanwhile, the W.P.(C)No.443 of 2006 filed by State of Orissa came up for hearing before the Honble Supreme Court on 30th April, 2007. The Honble Supreme Court was requested to adjourn the matter for a longer time so that the Central Government can once again try for a negotiated settlement and, therefore, the matter was adjourned. In view of that Secretary (WR) proposed meeting with the Chief Secretaries on 18.5.06 which was rescheduled to 15.6.07 and again to 5.7.07 due to inability expressed by Chief Secretary, Govt. of Orissa to attend the same. However the meeting finally could not be held as Chief Secretary, Govt. of Orissa expressed inability to attend the same as no useful purpose will be served in holding the meeting till Govt. of Andhra Pradesh stops construction of the project. 5) Further, an inter state meeting was taken by Chairman, CWC with the officers of CWC, CWPRS, Pune, the State of A.P. and Orissa on 17.12.07 to discuss the model studies requested in this regard. Another meeting was held on 22.1.08 to firm up additional/studies required. 6) In the hearing dated 6.2.2009, the Honble Supreme Court directed Central Government to constitute a water dispute tribunal. 7) With the approval of the Cabinet (dated 25.06.2009) Ministry of Water Resources has constituted Vansadhara Water Dispute Tribunal (VWDT) vide Notification Dt.24.2.2010. The Tribunal has its HeadQuarters at New Delhi. 8) The complaint of the Government of Orissa is now referred to a Tribunal constituted under Section 4 of the Act.

Mahadayi/ Mandovi River

In July, 2002, the State of Goa made a request under Section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 (as amended) for constitution of the Tribunal under the said Act and refer the matter for adjudication and decision of dispute relating to Mandovi River. The issues mentioned in the request included the assessment of available utilisable water resources in the basin at various points and allocation of this water to the 3 basin States keeping in view priority of the use of water within basin as also to decide the machinery to implement the decision of the tribunal etc. The Act requires that Central Government shall constitutes a tribunal if it is of the opinion that water dispute cannot be settled by negotiation. Therefore, actions and efforts of Central Government in MoWR since July, 2002 were basically guided by the aforesaid provision of the Act. In continuation of this process, Honble Union Minister for Water Resources convened an inter-State meeting on 4.4.2006 at the level of Chief Ministers of the States of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Subsequent actions of Government of Goa with regard to follow up action on decisions taken in the inter-State meeting gave impression that State of Goa is not ready to pursue the negotiation process further and wants constitution of tribunal and reference of the dispute to the Tribunal immediately. Accordingly, the Central Government in the MOWR concluded that the dispute contained in the request of State of Goa of July, 2002 cannot be resolved by negotiation and initiated further action in the matter as per the provisions of Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 and rules made there under. Meanwhile the Govt. of Goa filed a suit in the Honble Supreme court in Sept, 06 for setting up of a water dispute tribunal for adjudication of the above river water dispute and an interlocutory Application (IA) for stay in construction activities. The Writ Petition with the application has been listed on a number of occasions before the Honble Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Cabinet considered in its meeting held on 10.12.2009 and approved the proposal of constitution of Mahadayi Tribunal. Cabinet Committee on Accommodation in its meeting dated 06.10.2010 approved proposal of locating Tribunal in New Delhi. Central government has constituted Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) vide notification dated 16th November, 2010.

Krishna River Water Dispute Tribunal

1. The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) was constituted on 2nd April, 2004 for adjudication of the dispute relating to sharing of waters of Inter-State River Krishna and river valleys thereof. Shri Justice Brijesh Kumar, Judge of Supreme Court of India (now retired) is the Chairman of the Tribunal and Shri Justice S. P. Srivastava, Judge of the Allahabad High Court (now retired) and Shri Justice D.K. Seth, Judge of the Kolkata High Court (now retired) are Members of the Tribunal. 2. The KWDT passed orders on June 9, 2006 on the Interim Relief Application filed by the party States of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh declining to give interim relief as sought in the application and at the same time indicating certain norm with a view to facilitate adjudication of the dispute before the Tribunal. Subsequently, State of Andhra Pradesh filed Interlocutory Application under Section 5(3) of the ISRWD Act, 1956 seeking further explanation/guidance on the Order of the Tribunal of June 9, 2006. The Tribunal in its hearing held in September and October, 2006 has framed 29 of issues for adjudication of the dispute before it. Further hearing of the Tribunals is continuing. The terms of tribunal has been extended up to 31st December, 2010 as per the provisions of ISRWD Act, 1956 and the tribunal is to give its decision & report by that time.

Cauvery Water Disputes

Progress in Adjudication of the Dispute before the CWDT The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) was constituted by the Government of India on 2 June 1990 to adjudicate the water dispute regarding inter-state river Cauvery and the river valley thereof. The Tribunal had also passed an Interim Order in June, 1991 and further Clarificatory Orders on the Interim Order in April, 1992 and December, 1995. The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal has submitted its reports and decision under Section 5 (2) of Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 to Government on 5th February, 2007. The party states and the Central Govt. have sought clarification and guidelines under Section 5(3) of the Act. The terms of the tribunal has been extended upto 2.11.08 as per provisions of ISRWD Act, 1956. Further, the party states have also filled SLPs in the Honble Supreme Court against Cauvery tribunals report and Honble Supreme Court has granted leave. The matter was last heard by Honble Supreme Court on 29.7.08 and the Honble court passed the order that the matter maybe listed before a three Judge bench in Nov, 2008.
nd

Monitoring of the implementation of Interim order of CWDT

Under the provisions of Section 6A of the ISWD Act, 1956, the Central Government has notified a Scheme called Cauvery Water (implementation of the Order of 1991 and all subsequent Related Orders of the Tribunal) Scheme, 1998, consisting of Cauvery River Authority (CRA) and Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC). The Cauvery River Authority consists of the Prime Minister as Chairperson and Chief Ministers of the basin States as members. The Monitoring Committee consists of Secretary, MOWR as Chairperson, Chief Secretaries and Chief Engineers of the basin States as Members and Chairman, Central Water Commission as Member. The Authority is required to give effect to the implementation of the Interim Order dated 25th June 1991 of the Tribunal and its related subsequent orders. So far CRA has held 6 meetings and CMC has held 25 meetings. 25th meeting of CMC was held on 24.08.2010.

Babhali Barrage issue

1 The State of Andhra Pradesh in May, 2005 brought to the notice of the Central Government that Govt. of Maharashtra is constructing Babhli barrage in the reservoir submergence area of Sriram Sagar Project which is in violation of the GWDT award. In this regard, Member, Central Water Commission (CWC) held two meetings with officers of the States of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in 2005. Besides, a meeting was held between the officers of the States of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashstra in 2005. Another interstate meeting was taken by Union Minister of Water Resources with the Chief Ministers of concerned States on 4.4.2006 in which following decisions were taken:(i) A Technical Committee headed Chairman or by a senior officer of Central Water Commission and consisting of representatives of the States shall go into the details of various issues involved in Babhli Barrage project. The Technical Committee shall submit a report as early as possible but not later than 20th May, 2006 Till the Technical Committee submits its report, the status quo in respect of activities of the Babhli barrage project shall be maintained and further construction work will not be done by the State of Maharashtra.

(ii)

2 Two meetings of the Technical Committee were held. The Technical Committee however, could not submit the report due to non-submission of detailed proposals by Govt. of Andhra Pradesh in respect of suggestions made during the meetings. 3. In July 2006, Government of Andhra Pradesh filed an Original Suit under Article 131 of Constitution against State of Maharashtra and Union of India and Others. In the Suit, the State of Andhra Pradesh prayed to the Court to grant a permanent injunction restraining State of Maharashtra from undertaking or proceeding with the construction Babhli Barrage within the reservoir water spread area of

Sriram Sagar Project. 4. The Honble Supreme Court heard the matter on 26th April, 2007 and passed following interim order. (i) (ii) Though the State of Maharashtra may go-ahead with the construction of the Babhli barrage, it shall not install the proposed 13 gates until further orders; As the state of Maharashtra is permitted to proceed with the construction at its own risk, it will not claim any equity by reason of the construction being carried on by it.

Thus, the matter is subjudiced.

Mulla Periyar Dam issue

1. On 29-10-1886 a lease indenture for 999 years was made between Maharaja of Travancore and Secretary of State for India for Periyar irrigation works by another agreement in 1970, Tamil Nadu was permitted to generate power also. 2. The Mullaperiyar Dam was constructed during 1887-1895 across Periyar River in the then Travancore state (now Kerala) territory after said indenture. The Periyar Dam with full reservoir level of 152 ft. provides for diversion of water from the reservoir through a tunnel to Vaigai basin in Tamil Nadu for irrigation benefits in 68558 ha. 3 In 1979, reports appeared in Kerala Press about the safety of Mulla Periyar Dam. On 25thNovember, 1979 Chairman, CWC held discussions at Thirvananthapuram regarding strengthening Periyar dam with officers of Irrigation and Electricity, Deptt. of Kerala and PWD of Tamil Nadu. In the meeting, emergency measures to be completed before next monsoon (1980), medium term measures and long-term measures for strengthening of Periyar Dam were decided. One of the emergency measures was to keep the shutters of spillway raised fully to lower the reservoir level to 136 ft. 4. A second meeting under the Chairmanship of Chairman, CWC was held on 29th April 1980 at New Delhi and it was opined that after the completion of emergency and medium term measures in the form of cable anchoring, the water level in the reservoir can be restored up to 145 ft. 5. As per the Memorandum on the Rehabilitation of Mulla Periyar Dam prepared by CWC and forwarded to Tamil Nadu on 25th March, 1986, emergency measures were implemented. In the aforesaid Memo, CWC gave its recommendation about peak flood and size of additional vents to be added in the spillway for implementing remaining emergency measure of providing additional spilling capacity. It also gave its recommendation about the design details of concrete backing on the downstream face of the dam. Besides this, CWC suggested The Government of Tamil Nadu to examine the possibility of raising the top of RCC parapet by another two feet apart from few other suggestions. It was opined in the forwarding note that after completion of the proposed strengthening measures, provision of other additional vents and implementation of other suggestions, Periyar dam would be competent to hold water upto FRL of 152 ft. 6. The matter became subjudice with several petitions in the Kerala and Tamil Nadu High Courts. All these cases were transferred to the Supreme Court which heard the matter and desired in its order dated 28.4.2000 that Hon ble Minister (WR) may convene a meeting of the Chief Ministers of both the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to amicably resolve the issue. . 7. Hon ble Minister (WR) convened the Inter-State meeting on 19.5.2000 and as decided in the meeting, an Expert Committee under Member (D&R), CWC with representatives from both States was constituted in June 2000 to study the safety of the dam with respect to strengthening of dam carried out by The Government of Tamil Nadu on the advice of

Central Water Commission and advise regarding raising of water level in the reservoir beyond 136 ft as a result of strengthening of dam. 8. The Committee in its report of March, 2001 opined that with the strengthening measures implemented, the water level can be raised from 136 ft. to 142 ft. without endangering safety of the dam. Further raising of water level to 152 ft. will be considered after balance strengthening measures are implemented. 9. In the case of Transfer Petition (Civil) No. 779-783/1998 Dr. Subramanian Swamy Vs Tamil Nadu, the Report of the Expert Committee was filed in the Hon ble Supreme Court on 31.8.2001 and also sent to the State Governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 10 In writ Petition ( C) No. 386 of 2001 (Mulla Periyar Environmental Protection Forum Vs Union of India and Ors) the Supreme Court in its Judgement dated 27.2.2006, permitted the Government of Tamil Nadu to raise the water level of Mulla Periyar dam from 136 ft. to 142 ft. and take up the remaining strengthening measures. 11. Consequent to the aforesaid orders of the Supreme Court of India, the Kerala Government passed the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act 2006 which received the assent of the Governor on 18th March 2006 which prohibited the raising of water level beyond 136 ft. in the Mulla Periyar Dam as Mullaperiyar Dam was placed under the Schedule of Endangered Dams . 12. The Government of Tamil Nadu filed a suit No. 3 of 2006 - State of Tamil Nadu v/s State of Kerala and Union of India in the Hon ble Supreme Court on 31.3.2006 praying for (i) (ii) Declaration of Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act 2006 passed by Kerala Legislature as unconstitutional in its application to and effect on Mulla Periyar Dam. Pass a decree of permanent injunction restraining Kerala from application and enforcing impunged legislation enforcing with or obstructing Tamil Nadu from increasing the water level to 142 feet and from carrying out the repair works as per judgment of Supreme Court dated 27th February 2006.

13.

A Review Petition filed by the State of Kerala on 3.4.2006 was dismissed by the Supreme Court on 27.7.2006.

14. In the matter referred to in para 13 above, the Hon ble Supreme Court has passed an order on 25.9.2006 stating the two State Governments independently or with the intervention of the Union of India may try to sort out the dispute, if possible. 15. The Hon ble Union Minister (WR) convened an inter-State meeting of the Chief Ministers of States of Tamil Nadu & Kerala on Mulla periyar dam issue on 29.11.2006 at New Delhi. Hon ble Union Minister (WR) further discussed matter with the Minister (WR/PW) from the States of Tamil Nadu & Kerala on18.12.2006. The States of Tamil Nadu and Kerala reiterated their respective stand in the meetings and no consensus could be reached regarding a solution acceptable to both States. The matter is now subjudice. 16. Subsequently, Hon ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu met Hon ble Prime Minister on 18.12.2007 and Hon ble Prime Minister suggested him to have a meeting with Hon ble Chief Minister of Kerala on Mulla Periyar issue. Hon ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu met Hon ble Chief Minister of Kerala on 19.12.2007 in presence of Hon ble Union Minister of Water Resources. Further a letter dated 20.12.2007 was received from the Hon ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu mentioning that in the above meeting, Hon ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu suggested to oversee the seepage measurement of the dam by engineers not belonging to either of the two States through CWC and Hon ble Chief Minister of Kerala agreed to consider them. 17. Later, the Govt. of Tamil Nadu forwarded a letter dt 22/1/08 of Hon ble Chief Minister of Kerala addressed to Hon ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu wherein it is mentioned that in the meeting dt 19/12/2007 he suggested a joint mechanism to monitor the seepage. The Govt. of Tamil Nadu also enclosed a letter dated 4/2/2008 from Hon ble Chief

Minister of Tamil Nadu addressed to Hon ble Chief Minister of Kerala wherein it is mentioned that joint monitoring was not discussed in the meeting. 18. CWC was requested to suggest a suitable mechanism for monitoring the seepage and possible structure of the Committee to monitor it. They suggested a nine- member Committee headed by a Chief Engineer, Central Water Commission having representatives from both States for Monitoring the seepage of Mulla Periyar Dam. The composition of the Committee along with terms of reference was sent to Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and Kerala vide letter dated 28.4.2008 for their concurrence / suggestions. 19. The Government of Tamil Nadu vide its letter dated 17.6.2008 has sent its comments on the proposed Monitoring Committee stating that the present proposal of the Government of India to constitute a Committee comprising officers from CWC, Tamil Nadu Government and Kerala Government to measure the seepage in Mulla Periyar Dam is not in conformity with the discussion held in the meeting dated 19.12.2007 and proposal will lead to more and more complications and thus not acceptable to Govt. of Tamil Nadu. The Govt. of Kerala vide letter dt 24.2.2009 informed that the stand taken by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu for neutral agency of experts excluding those form Kerala and Tamil Nadu is not acceptable to them. 20. In the meanwhile, Govt. of Kerala has got done hydrological review studies from a professor of IIT, Delhi and has since filed the said hydrological studies report in the Hon ble Supreme Court on 15.07.08 in connection with Suit No.3 of 2006 filed by the Government of Tamil Nadu. It has been concluded in the report that the Mulla Periyar dam is hydrologic ally unsafe for passing the estimated Probable Maximum Flood (2, 91,275 cusec / 8,248 cusec) with the existing spillway capacity. Comments of Hydrological Studies Organisation, CWC on the report were forwarded to the Govt. Advocate as per instructions of MoWR vide CWC letter dated 13.10.08. CWC has commented that the difference in the adopted values of Design Rainfall (Storm) depth, Time distribution of rainfall, Unit hydrograph & Infiltration rate have resulted in estimation of higher flood peak (PMF) and the said studies by the IIT Professor does not appear to be well founded. 21. Meanwhile the Government of Kerala constituted a Committee in May 2009 which submitted its report in June, 2009. The Committee suggested mapping of the underwater area, installation of highly sensitive computer operated Seismograph and construction of a new Dam downstream of existing dam. The Committee has also opined that the dam has reached such a deteriorated condition that no amount of rectification work could salvage it to a safe and healthy condition. Keeping in view this report, Minister (WR) advised Chairman, CWC in July, 2009 to constitute a team of officers to visit the dam and assess the present condition of the Mulla Periyar dam and look into the issues raised in the report of the above Expert Committee. The team had proposed a visit to the dam from 22-25 July, 2009 and the conveniences of the Government of Kerala and Tamil Nadu for the visit were sought. The Government of Tamil Nadu agreed to the proposed visit but the Government of Kerala requested for postponement of the proposed visit because of torrential rains. Thereafter, the visit could not materialize. 22. Thereafter, Secretary (WR) convened a meeting on the Mulla Periyar Dam on 31.7.2009. The meeting was attended among others by Principal Secretary, PWD, Tamil Nadu and Additional Chief Secretary, WRD, Kerala. In the meeting the representative of Kerala informed that the Kerala Govt. visualizes construction of new dam as the only feasible solution and they have started survey and investigation for a new dam at an alternate site downstream of the existing dam and they may also consider the construction of a new dam at their own cost. Representative of Kerala stated in the meeting that the Govt. of Kerala also recognizes the established uses of water from the dam by Tamil Nadu as per the existing agreement between the two States and will continue the same after the construction of a new dam. In the said meeting the representative of Govt. of Tamil Nadu informed that the Govt. of Tamil Nadu would examine the proposal of the Govt. of Kerala for new Dam after the same is formally received from them. In view of this, Hon ble Minister (WR) vide DO dated 26.08.2009 requested Hon ble Chief Minister, Kerala to send the proposal in this regard to the Govt. of Tamil Nadu for their consideration. 23. Later, Govt. of Tamil Nadu vide letter dated 14.9.09 mentioned that as regards the decision that has emerged in the meeting, to examine the proposal of the Kerala Government for the construction of a new dam by Tamil Nadu Government, the Government of Tamil Nadu had already communicated to the Government of India as well as to the

Government of Kerala that there is no need for construction of a new dam by the Kerala Government, as the existing dam after it is strengthened, functions like a new dam. They also mentioned that Hon ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in his letter dated 13.07.09 to Hon ble Chief Minister of Kerala had mentioned that Kerala Govt. may not raise the issue of new dam any more. 24. The Govt. of Kerala vide letter dated 26.9.2009 sent comments on the minutes of the meeting dated 31.7.2009 mentioning that the statement The Govt. of Kerala also recognizes the established use of water from the dam by the Tamil Nadu as per the existing agreement between the two States and continue the same after the construction of new dam is not acceptable. What was mentioned in the meeting was that Kerala is willing to give water to Tamil Nadu. 25. Further, Hon ble Supreme Court heard the issues related to Mulla Periyar Dam on 10.11.2009 and passed the order that, As the case involves the resolution of said questions, the suit may be placed before the Hon ble Chief Justice of India for necessary directions for placing it before a constitution Bench. The contesting parties shall maintain status quo in respect of Mulla Periyar Dam as existing today. However, order of status quo will not be an impediment for the plaintiff (State of Tamil Nadu) to carry out maintenance and repairs for proper upkeep of the said Dam.

26. The case was heard by five judges on 18.2.2010 and the Court directed Central Govt. to constitute an empowered Committee in this regard which would hear the parties to the suit on all issues that will be raised before them, and furnish a report, as far as possible, with in six months from their constitution. 27 Following the order of Hon ble Supreme Court dated 29.02.2010, Centre (MoWR) has constituted an Empowered Committee vide Notification dated the 30th April, 2010. The Committee started its functioning and was to submit its report within six months period. Further, Supreme Court vide its order dated 20th September, 2010 has extended the term of Committee by a further period of six months. Therefore, implementing the said directions of the Supreme Court, the Central Government extends, the terms of Empowered Committee for a further period of six months w.e.f. 30th October, 2010 vide Notification dated the 28th October, 2010.

Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (October 1969)

Under Section-4 of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956, the Central Government constituted Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) on 6th Oct. 1969 to adjudicate upon the sharing of Narmada waters and Narmada River Valley Development under the Chairmanship of Justice V. Ramaswami. Award Of The Tribunal The Tribunal gave its Award on 7th Dec., 1979. The NWDT Award was notified by Government of India on 12th December, 1979, whereupon it became final and binding on the parties to the dispute. The Award specified quantum of utilisable waters at 75% dependability to be shared by the four States of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan as under:State Gujarat Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Rajasthan Total (MAF-Million Acre Feet) Flow 9.00 MAF 18.25 MAF 0.25 MAF 0.50 MAF 28.00 MAF

The Tribunal determined that the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam should be fixed for Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 138.68 m (455 ft.). and also directed Government of Gujarat (GOG) to take up and complete the construction of the dam accordingly. According to Clause-16 of the final orders of the Tribunal, the parameters of shares of utilisable waters by the States, FRL of the reservoir and Full Supply Level (FSL) of Navagam Canal are made subject to review at any time after a period of 45 years from the date of publication of the Award of the Tribunal in the official gazette.

Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (In April 1969)

The Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal headed by Justice Bachawat was constituted by the Government in April, 1969 for adjudication of Inter-State Water Disputes regarding Godavari river. While the adjudication proceedings were going on, several Inter-State agreements between the party States viz. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka were reached during the year 1975. Subsequently, bilateral and tripartite agreements between the party States with regard to number of irrigation projects were also reached during the year 1978-79. The Tribunal took cognizance of all these agreements and having regard to the requests of the party States included them in the Final Award. The agreements in effect imply a series of Inter-State compacts in the sense that the party States are free to utilise flow of river Godavari or its tributaries upto certain specified points. For example, Maharashtra is free to utilise flow in Godavari upto Paithan, while the State of Andhra Pradesh is free to utilise the Godavari flows below Paithan. Similarly, the bilateral agreements also specify for sharing of water of certain tributaries of Godavari. The agreement also provides for construction of certain InterState projects such as Inchampally and Polavaram with specified Full Reservoir Levels (FRL). The Tribunal gave its Award in July, 1980. Constitution Award * The agreement on Polavaram Project provides for diversion of 80 TMC of Godavari Water from Polavaram Project to Krishna River upstream of Vijayawada Anicut. The water thus diverted in Krishna will be shared as under - Andhra Pradesh 45 TMC - Karnataka & Maharashtra 35 TMC * The Inchampalli Multipurpose Project will be a joint venture of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh to be executed and operated under the directions of a Tripartite Inter-State Control Board. The cost of storage, power and benefits will be shared by these States in agreed proportions. Andhra Pradesh is allowed to divert 85 TMC of waters from Inchampalli Reservoir for its use. The balance available water is to be used for power generation at Inchampalli Power House. After generation, the water can be used by Andhra Pradesh in any manner. * As per the award any alteration, amendments or modification to any of the provision of the Tribunal can be made by agreement between the party States or by legislation of Parliament. Bharat Nirman - Irrigation Under the Irrigation Component of Bharat Nirman, the target of creation of additional irrigation potential of 1 crore hectare in 4 years (2005-06 to 2008-09) is planned to be met largely through expeditious completion of identified ongoing major and medium irrigation projects. Irrigation potential of 42 lakh hectare is planned to be created by expeditiously completing such ongoing major and medium projects. There is a definite gap between irrigation potential created and the potential utilized. Under Bharat Nirman it is planned to restore and utilize irrigation potential of 10 lakh hectare through implementation of

extension, renovation and modernization of schemes alongwith command area development and water management practices. There are considerable areas in the country with unutilized ground water resources. Irrigation potential of 28 lakh hectare is planned to be created through ground water development. The remaining target for creation of irrigation potential of 10 lakh hectare is planned to be created by way of minor irrigation schemes using surface flow. 10 lakh hectare of irrigation potential is also planned by way of repair, renovation and restoration of water bodies and extension, renovation and modernization of minor irrigation schemes.