53rd Water Talk on Community- Based Water Resources Management

53rd Water Talk on Community-Based Water Resources Management

[Music] A very good afternoon everybody. Welcome to the 53rd Water Talk organized by the National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. As the name suggests, Water Talk is an initiative that promotes dialogue and discourse around the water sector. The National Water Mission initiated this dialogue series with the objective of creating and sharing information among people.

Firstly, before going ahead, I would like to introduce our esteemed speakers for this Water Talk. We have been joined by Ms. AR, Mission Director, National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. Ma'am has been the guiding force in enlightening and motivating different stakeholders as far as the water segment is concerned. Also, we have Dr. Marcella D’Souza, Director of the Watershed Organization Trust Center for Resilience Studies India, as our keynote speaker. Following Dr. D’Souza, we are also joined by Dr. Ishwar Keser, Thematic Lead, Water Resources Development and Governance at WOT Center for Resilience Studies. Dr. Keser has an intensive body of work regarding community-based water management of different water resources and water conservation. Ms. AR states that sustainable solutions for water management can only be achieved through convergence and community engagement. This session will focus on an interesting concept centered around community-based water resource management and adhere to the "Nar Shakti se Jal Shakti" theme for Catch the Rain 2024. We are also joined by Jal Saheli Chaya Ji, who would interact with us later during the session.

Before any further ado, let’s get started. I would like to request AR Ma’am to give her opening remarks.

Opening Remarks by Ms. AR

Thank you. Today, more than 2 billion people face water scarcity, and without any intervention, this number is likely to rise to 3.2 billion. Women and girls are the most adversely impacted by this scarcity. They are often required to drop out of school and are unable to seek livelihood opportunities as fetching water becomes a drudgery. Therefore, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan emphasizes community-based water management for sustainable solutions. Our government policies now increasingly endorse community-based management of water resources. Initiatives like the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and the Jal Jeevan Mission encourage participatory water management.

I won’t take much time as we have two legendary figures with us, Dr. Marcella D’Souza and Dr. Ishwar Keser. They will give us insights into why there can be no water management without community engagement. Also, welcome to our water warrior, Chaya Ji, from Masundi village. Now, I hand over to Dr. Marcella D’Souza for her introductory remarks.

Dr. D’Souza’s Remarks

Good afternoon everyone. Thank you, Ms. AR, and the National Water Mission, for inviting us to share our experiences. The Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR), established in 1993, started by addressing water scarcity and land degradation in drought-prone regions of Maharashtra. The Indo-German Watershed Development Program marked our beginning, focusing on rainwater harvesting and building community capacities for water management. Over the years, we succeeded in treating more than 6,850 villages and over 2.5 million hectares across the landscape.

Our journey from 1993 to 2014 involved significant engagement with communities to promote effective water stewardship. Groundwater levels rose significantly, agricultural production increased, and even drought-prone areas became tanker-free villages.

However, groundwater exploitation surfaced as a major issue, leading us to advocate for water stewardship making the community responsible for water resources. This involved a whole ecosystem-based approach to conservation and management, promoting soil health, agriculture practices, and micro-irrigation systems.

I'll now hand it over to Dr. Ishwar Keser to share more about the processes involved in implementing these initiatives.

Dr. Ishwar Keser’s Remarks

Namaste everyone.

Water stewardship centers around managing water use efficiently, particularly in agriculture, which consumes over 90% of water. We focus on soil health, nature-friendly agricultural practices, and building community capacities through various tools and approaches.

One initiative involves the Farm Precise application, providing local specific weather and crop advisories for farmers, guiding them on better farming decisions. This enhances soil and water management, and eventually leads to higher agricultural productivity.

The essential part of our initiative is the water budgeting process which includes village water management teams and stakeholders. It revolves around data monitoring, rainwater management, and formulating rules and restrictions for water use at the village level. The community, led by trained water stewards (Jalasamdhi and Jalsakhis), becomes active participants in these processes.

At Massudi village, for example, women have taken up leading roles in water governance and decision-making, successfully conserving resources and ensuring equitable water use through collective farming practices and effective groundwater management.

We also leveraged technology, creating tools like the Community Groundwater Integrator for better understanding and managing shared aquifers.

Presentation on Water Stewardship

Please enjoy a short film on the transformative impact of these initiatives in the village of Bhojdari.

[The film on Bhojdari showcases the improved water and land management, increased agricultural productivity, and the significant role of women in leading these initiatives.]

Remarks by Water Warrior Chaya Ji

Namaste all. It is heartening to see our village transform through collective water management efforts. Our community has benefitted immensely, and women's participation has been crucial. Through various initiatives and shared resources, we have ensured sustainable water usage and equitable access for all.

Closing Remarks

Thank you, everyone, for your contributions and sharing your valuable insights. The 53rd Water Talk has been enlightening, demonstrating that community-based water management, backed by scientific approaches and government support, is the way forward for sustainable water resource management in India.

Stay tuned for our next session. Thank you.

Keywords

• Community-Based Water Management
• Water Scarcity
• Sustainable Solutions
• Groundwater Management
• Water Stewardship
• Women's Participation
• Agricultural Practices
• Capacity Building
• Water Governance
• Ecosystem-Based Approach

FAQ

1. What are the key challenges in implementing water stewardship initiatives in India?

One key challenge is altering the perception of water resources as private property to recognizing them as communal resources. This involves considerable community engagement and education. Additionally, over-exploitation of groundwater and creating sustainable practices for agriculture are significant hurdles.

2. How does the Farm Precise application help farmers?

The Farm Precise application provides localized weather and crop advisories, enabling farmers to make informed decisions to protect their crops, thus improving agricultural productivity and ensuring efficient water use.

3. What role do women play in these water management initiatives?

Women play a crucial role in leading community water management efforts. They participate in decision-making processes, manage water resources collectively, and ensure equitable water distribution among villagers.

4. How does the water governance standard and certification system benefit communities?

This system helps communities understand their strengths and areas for improvement in water management. It provides a structured framework for assessing water governance and incentivizes communities to adopt better water stewardship practices for sustainable resource use.

5. What is the impact of effective water stewardship on villages like Masundi and Bhojdari?

Effective water stewardship in villages like Masundi and Bhojdari has led to substantial improvements in groundwater levels, agricultural productivity, and overall water availability. It has also fostered strong community involvement and enhanced the role of women in managing water resources.