DirectorWaterandLandManagementInstitute(WALMI)

Dharwad,Karnataka

Reporton

Exposurevisit

"River rejuvenation and water conservation project in Alwar district of Rajasthan"

05-03-2019to13-03-2019

WATERANDLANDMANAGEMENTINSTITUTE(WALMI),

Belur Industrial Area, Dharwad- 580 011, Karnataka.

WATERANDLANDMANAGEMENTINSTITUTE(WALMI),

Belur Industrial Area, Dharwad- 580 011, Karnataka.

Reportonp

Exposurevisit

"RiverrejuvenationandwaterconservationprojectinAlwardistrictofRajasthan"

05-03-2019to13-03-2019

DirectorWaterandLandManagementInstitute(WALMI)

Dharwad,Karnataka

ObjectivesofWALMI,Dharwad

1. To promote advancement of science and acquisition of scienti�ic knowledge in the �ield of water and land management.

2. To provide in service training of interdisciplinary nature to staff engaged in irrigation water management and land development in irrigation and agriculture departments.

3. To take up Action and Adaptive Research pertaining to irrigation.

4. To provide consultancy services

WaterandLandManagementInstitute(WALMI)

Introduction

Water And Land Management Institute (WALMI) Dharwad was established by Karnataka Government under World Bank assistance on 28.05.1985 at Bheemarayanagudi to train staff of Irrigation and Agriculture Departments and Command Area Development Authorities (CADAs). The Institute was registered as Society called 'WALMI Society' on 16 June, 1986 under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act 1960 [Registration No. 74/86-87. The institute was shifted from Bheemarayanagudi to Belagavi during November 1985 and subsequently to Dharwad during April 1986 in view of certain logistic advantages like communication, education and expertise in Dharwad.

6. To bring out publications like reports, scienti�ic and popular articles, brochures, pamplets.etc

� Dr. Rajendra Singh (born on 6thAugust 1959) is a well-known water conservationist & environmentalist from Alwar district, Rajasthan in India. Also known as "waterman of India", he won the Stockholm Water Prizean award known as “the Nobel Prize for Water”. He has been honored by Asia's most prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award' 2001, for Community Leadership. Along with India's most prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj Award' 2005. He runs an NGO called 'Tarun Bharat Sangh' (TBS), which was founded in 1975. The NGO based in village Bhikampura in Thanagazi tehsil, near Sariska Tiger Reserve, has been instrumental in �ighting the slow bureaucracy, mining lobby and has helped villagers take charge of water management in their semi-arid area as it lies close to Thar Desert in

WALMI is actively involved in policy advisory for many high level committees of government and provide policy inputs. About 60 thousand participants have been trained in various subjects related to land and water management since inception of the Institute (1986). About 100 different demonstrations have been conducted since 2009-10. Action Research work was taken up to reclaim salt affected areas of under Malaprabha and Ghataprabha Projects. WALMI played a crucial role to motivate farmers to take up amelioration work on their own. Demonstration of Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) technology was taken up in sugarcane using drip irrigation.Demonstration was organized on Systematic Rice Intensi�ication (SRI) technology in paddy for ef�icient use of water.

5. To conduct seminars/ workshops and organizing farmer's training programmes- Trainings, Research, Demonstrations, Consultancy, Publication, Organizing technical events and Technical collaborations.

Dr.RajendraSinghandTarunBharatSangh(TBS)

ExposureVisittoTBSProjects

A team of 44 members from WALMI, Dharwad including 39 farmers from various irrigation projects across the Karnataka state and 5 WALMI staff visited the River rejuvenation and water conservation project sites at Alwar district in Rajasthan from 05-03-2019 to 13-03-2019.

He is one of the members of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was set up in 2009, by the Government of India. as an empowered planning, �inancing, monitoring and coordinating authority for the Ganges (Ganga), in exercise of the powers conferred under the Environment (Protection) Act,1986. In the UK he is a founder member of an NGO called the Flow Partnershipwhich aims to counter the negative effects of soil erosion and �looding.

Rajastan, through the use of johad, rainwater storage tanks, check dams and other time-tested as well as path-breaking techniques. Starting from a single village Gopalpura of Alwar District in the year 1985, over the years TBS helped build over 12800 johads and other water conservation structures to collect rainwater for the dry seasons, has brought water back to over 1100 villages and revived �ive rivers in Rajasthan, viz; Arvari, Ruparel, Sarsa, Bhagani and Jahajwali.

TeamfromWALMI

Water workers and Water User Cooperative Society's (WUCS)members from across the Karnataka belonging to various irrigation projects viz, UKP, Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Cauvery, Kabini, Harangi, Tungabhadra, Bennethora, Bhadra, were selected for this exposure visit and study tour.The team started journey to Agra from Hubballi on 05-03-2019 at 4.30 by means of train.Reached Agra on 07-03-2019 at 3.10 am. Historical monuments viz. Agra Fort, Tajmahal, sacred river Yamuna and Fatepur Sikri were visited and on same day reached the Tarun Bharat Sangh in Bheekampura. Tarun Bharat Sangh's campus is situated between the Aravali hill ranges near Bheekampura village in Alwar district. Campus is �illed with rich greenery, agriculture demonstration farms, class rooms, guest house block, dining and with water models.

DiscussionofteamwithDr.RajendraSinghA parliament of visiting team and Dr. Rajendra Singh was assembled in the open

courtyard of TBS at 8.40 am on 08-03-2019. Introduction of team and the purpose and objectives of individual visitors were discussed.The various points observed as follows.

1. To know about limited resource of water and its proper usage.

2. To gather information about the water conservation methods.

4. To gain knowledge about underground water recharging methods and applications.

3. To know the ill effects of over irrigation.

6. To learn optimum usage of water.

5. To get education about effective irrigation agriculture.

iscussionwithDr.RajendraSingh,WatermanofIndiaon08-03-2019.

1. Providing water to Tail end users of the irrigation project.

After discussion about various aspects of water the following issues which need to be given more attention were drawn and to address them six teams were farmed and assigned to draw key points.

Dr. Rajendra Singh took team to the TBS laboratory and shown the geological classi�ication of rock formation and con�ined and uncon�ined rock beds.Explained about the aquifers, rock strati�ication types and their importance in ground water aquifer recharge.

3. Water distribution pattern and redistribution of available water.

6. Empowerment of WUCS.

4. Underground water conservation.

7. Interstate water dispute con�licts.

5. Tanks preservation and rejuvenation.

2. Water literacy programme in Karnataka.

Dr.RajendraSinghexplainingaboutaquifers,geologicalstructuresandundergroundwaterrecharge

On occasion of international women's day celebration TBS organized "Mahila Sammelan". Women from different parts of Rajasthan working for water conservation and in agriculture �ield were felicitated. Women from visiting team also honored on the occasion.Cultural activities viz: Rajastani Dance and Singing were performed. Karnataka women team also took part in the activities.

InternationalWomen'sDaycelebration

Internationalwomen'sdaycelebrationinTBS

PresentationbyDr.RajendraSingh

A presentation regarding water, its usage and TBS achievements was given by Dr. Rajendra Singh at 12.30 pm. followings are the various points of presentation.

1. Dr. Rajendra Singh started working on water, 35 years ago with his teacher Sri Mangulal Meena of Gopalpura Village.

2. He alone started rejuvenation of an old tank in Gopalpura village; later on villagers joined him in this work.

3. As the tank was rejuvenated and water was available for the villagers, people started working with him andjoined hands to construct 23 tanks. Because of this age old 36 wells in the village limit recharged and underground water was available for farmers for agriculture. Village is restored with its migrated people in search of jobs.

4. India is wealthy in water resources but is to be managed and preserved properly.

5. The water reserve under the ground is boon for mankind but due to fetching more and more water from earth, its state is like a patient in ICU. This issue has to be addressed on war foot.

6. Traditional cultivation systems are to be adopted and cropping pattern should follow the rain cycle for optimum water use for agriculture and increased agriculture yield.

7. TBS is constructed and rejuvenated a total of 12800 small and large tanks so far. Due to this more than 1.50 Lakh wells were recharged and �illed with water.

Ground water recharge rate should be more than the usage.

PresentationbyDr.RajendraSinghonWaterconservation

Team visited the water conservation sites at Gopalpura village. All the members gathered at the Johad, where Dr. Rajendra Singh started his �irst work.

VisittoGopalpuravillagesites�

TeamvisitingJohadatGopalpuravillage

Mr. Chotelal Meena, Member of TBS accompanied the team and guided about the works done by TBS and its impact. Villagers were interviewed by the team members. Following points were noted during the visit.

1. There are 21 Johads and 36 old wells. Wells are recharged with the water impounded in the surrounding Johads.

3. Alcohol is completely banned in the village.

2. Villagers are educating their children. Especially 100 % girls are getting educated.

4. Frequently villagers conduct meeting and voluntarily desilt the Johads.

5. Completely organic manure is being used for cultivation and crop pattern is according to rain cycle.

InteractionofTeamwithvillagers

VisittoBhaganiriverrejuvenationsite

� Bhagani River originates in the Aravali hill ranges near Mandalvas village. The village lies in the buffer zone of Sariska National Park and Tiger reserve in Rajastan. It was dried up for several years. Tarun Bharat Sangh constructed an earthen bund (Baandh) involving local people. It was �irst of its kind in a history to take such work in reserved forest area. Series of water structures were constructed along the river course thus making water available for all forest dwelling animals, birds, insects etc. It reduced wild animal entry in the villages in search of food and water. TBS believes and works using traditional and local engineering techniques, so that it would be easy to maintain these structures by local men and materials.

1. Crop pattern should follow the climate and rain cycle.

Team learnt the following points on the visit to Gopalpura

2. Goat farming and poultry should be practiced along with agriculture.

3. Rain water should be collected and impounded where it falls to recharge ground water.

4. Community participation is very important in water conservation.

TeamatBhaganiriveroriginplace.

RiverwalkonBhaganiRiverandMandalvasvillage

SrhiGuru Das Agrawal also known as Sant Swami Sanand, Sant Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand (20 July 1932 – 11 October 2018) was an Indian environmental engineer, religious leader, monk, environmental activist, professor, and he was the Patron of Ganga Mahasabha founded by Madan Mohan Malviya in 1905. He was the vice president of Tarun Bharat Sangh.

In the �irst bund across Bhagani river, water is present which was collected during rain three years back. This impounded water resulted in recharge of wells in the village, thus making water available for farmers to grow wheat, mustard and vegetable.�

Shri G D Agrawal died on 11 October 2018, after fasting since 22 June 2018, demanding the government act on its promises to clean and save the Ganga. On mark of his sacri�ice team performed River Walk to save Ganga on Bhagani River and in Mandalvas village.

He is notable for a number of fasts undertaken to stop many projects on River Ganga. His fast in 2009 led to the damming of the Bhagirathi River being stopped.

TeamperformedRiverWalktosaveHolyRiverGanga

2. Irrigation act should be enforced strictly.

7. WUCS, CADA's and Department of�icials should jointly made responsible for irrigation water supply.

8. Farmers should be educated about warabandi and rotational water supply.

WaterliteracyprogrammeinKarnataka.

The team interacted with the villagers and was inspired by their harmony, unity and community participation in water conservation works.

As mentioned earlier, following improvement measures for the issues which need to be addressed were suggested by the teams formed to work on the same.

6. Water pricing and measurement should be �ixed to all users and should be enforced strictly.

1. Proper and scienti�ic irrigation water management should be practiced.

4. Water should be supplied to tail end users in the beginning of water supply rotations.

2. Creating water literacy awareness to all class/professions of society.

3. More number of patkari's, work inspectors should be appointed.

3. Educating students in schools, colleges and universities about water and making it mandatory subject in syllabus.

1. Creating awareness about water, its origin, spread and availability through campaigns and advertisements.

5. Unauthorized pump sets by non-noti�ied farmers should be evacuated.

Providingwatertotailendusersoftheirrigationproject.

8. Making WALMI as nodal agency to implement water literacy programme in Karnataka.

Waterdistributionpatternandredistributionofavailablewater.

4. Educating public about water standards for its different uses.

7. Training religious/in�luencing leaders about water literacy.

5. Creating volunteer water warriors.

1. Taking action to distribute evenly the water resources spread across the state with sustainable and eco-friendly ways.

9. Organizing water walks for drought free Karnataka.

6. Advertising water literacy through social Medias.

4. Supplying water to WUCS on Volumetric basis and installing discharge measuring devices at the outlets.

3. Solving interstate water disputes with mutual understanding and warm heartedly.

2. Entrusting canals and allied structures maintenance works to WUCS.

2. Preventing river pollution.

3. Consulting concerned WUCS while preparing any work estimate and tendering. Completion certi�icate should be issued on satisfaction of works by WUCS.

6. Establishing and practicing same rules and administration in all the CADA's.

7. Aiding 100% grant for construction of godowns.

8. Bringing WUCS under DCC banks to avail banking facilities related to farming activities.

Interstatewaterdisputecon�licts

5. Providing job security and ensuring basic facilities to the WUCS secretory.

1. Connecting rivers based on the permissible geography to mitigate �lood and distributing water to low rainfall regions.

Tankspreservationandrejuvenation

2. Sapling plants on tank bunds.

3. Connecting nearby water ways to the tanks and constructing water retaining structures to the same.

4. Delegating tank preservation and maintenance to the concerned local governing authority viz; Gram Panchayat, TMC etc.

5. Evacuating tank encroachments and preventing tank encroachments.

EmpowermentofWUCS

1. Collecting water tax compulsorily by making it mandatory to get any government bene�it on production of due certi�icate of water tax.

1. Construction of new water tanks and frequently de-silting the existing tanks.

2. Construction of small check dams all along the streams to store water during rainy season.

5. Reuse of excess water �lowing from irrigation lands.

2. Sowing perpendicular to slope, leveling the farmland and creating ground water recharge structures.

3. Linking of small streams to nearby water bodies to feed storm water.

4. Taking up tank �illing schemes from far away water reserves to draught area.

Undergroundwaterconservation

3. Construction of bunds and sapling plants.

4. Constructions of check dams/barrages/ bandaras to water courses at regular intervals.

6. Reducing drilling of new bore wells.

7. Installing rain water harvesting structures.

1. De-silting of water tanks frequently to retain water storage capacity of tanks.

5. Adopting organic farming.

5. Community and public participation is a very essential in water conservation.

1. Every water drop is precious and vital element on the earth which needs to be conserved.

6. Water conservation techniques should be adopted according to the local geological features.

4. Adopting scienti�ic methods and practices in agriculture and water management.

7. To create awareness of water and its importance, Water Literacy Campaigns are essentially be conducted and all sectors of public should be educated. In this regard WALMI should be made a Nodal Agency to implement it.

Followings are the recommendations made by the visiting team on this exposure visit.

5. Promoting farmers to grow more crops per less water.

2. More number of water impounds like tanks, lakes should be preserved and constructed to recharge ground water.

Team started its journey to Jaipur city on 10-03-2019 early in the morning. Visited Amer fort, Agra city fort and Jantar-Mantar. Same day in the evening started journey towards Mathura city from where the train was scheduled to Hubballi. On 11-03-2019 team visited few religious and historical places in Mathura. At 4.45 pm journey was started towards the Dharwad. Team reached WALMI on 13-03-2019 at 3.30 am.

3. Traditional technology of tank construction and water structures should be constructed to make ease of maintenance and repairs.

Recommendationofteamonthevisit

4. Cropping pattern should be practiced according to the rain cycle of the region.

Contact:Director

Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI), DharwadNH – 4, Belur Industrial Area Dharwad – 580011

Phone No – 0836-2486680/2486889(O)/94448386889(M)E-mail – directorwalmidharwad@gmail.com

Website – www.walmidharwad.org