Resources
Water Security: Integrated Micro Watershed Development in TamilNadu
Tamil Nadu is now in the grip of water scarcity and is in the penultimate place in per capita availability of water among all the states in India. We could have averted this situation if only we had paid due attention to the maintenance of several thousands of tanks and ponds created in the past by our ancestors using their wisdom.
Climate variability and the changes in the rainfall pattern play a major role in the occurrence of droughts. In this situation, we have to manage the available water effectively by harvesting, storing, distributing, using and managing it more efficiently.
DHAN Foundation in the last twelve years has executed a number of projects connected with rehabilitation of tanks and ponds as part of the development of micro watersheds. This has helped in acquiring first hand knowledge of the problems faced at the grassroot level especially when one-fourth of the project cost is to be borne by the people. The lessons learnt and the expertise developed in the past has considerably helped DHAN Foundation in preparing this report.
This report reviews and analyses the impact of different watershed development programmes undertaken over the decades in Tamil Nadu as well as in India and proposes the implementation of integrated watershed development programmes to meet the projected water demands from different sectors over the next two decades. This report has been prepared from the relevant data collected from various sources after interpretation of the same and drawal of inferences in the present situation.
This report outlines how a People led Water Security Movement could be taken up in Tamil Nadu in order to ensure water security in the year 2020. It suggests as to how ‘Integrated Watershed Development’ should be taken up in specific ecosystems like ‘Hilly and forest based’, ‘Canal fed’, ‘Tank based’, ‘Ground water intensive’, ‘Rainfed’, ‘Coastal’, ‘Wasteland dominant’ and ‘Urban’ described in the report. This report also gives a perspective plan integrating the various aspects such as Land and Water resources, Technology, Finance, Management, People owned Implementation, Policies and Strategies and Capacity Building.
DHAN Foundation feels privileged to be chosen by the State Planning Commission, Government of Tamil Nadu to prepare this important document on Water Security: Integrated Micro Watershed Development in Tamil Nadu. It takes this opportunity to thank the State Planning Commission for reposing its faith and entrusting this special assignment to DHAN Foundation.