IWRM for Rehabilitation of Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh

(A Concept Paper for inclusion of the project under Phase –II of the UPWSRP)

Introduction

State Water Policy (1999)

Uttar Pradesh Water Sector Restructuring Project (UPWSRP)

UPWSRP - Phase-I -

To achieve the above objectives of SWP, UPWSRP was initiated in 2001 with financial assistance of US$ 150 million from World Bank (WB). The development objectives of UPWSRP are : (i) to set up enabling institutional and policy frame work for water sector reform in the state for integrated water resources management (IWRM); and (ii) to initiate irrigation, agriculture and drainage sub-sector reforms in the state to increase and sustain water and agricultural productivity.

With the aim to adopt a river basin development and management approach to address all issues related to water in an integrated and socially and environmentally sustainable framework, and to ensure the concept of basin development and management to be deeply rooted, a 5 year long Phase-I was initiated in May 2001. Phase-I focused on Ghagra Gomti basin for initial implementation of both water sector and drainage sector reform programmes. Under this phase, GoUP has created the following institutional set up:

(i) State Water Board (SWB) under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary, GoUP and Principal secretaries of all concerned departments and finance department as members;
(ii) State Water Resources Agency (SWaRA) to provide a State level capability for inter-sectoral water allocation, planning, management and optimal use of surface and ground water based on comprehensive and environmentally sustainable river basin plans. SWaRA is also working as a secretariat to the SWB. SWB and SWaRA are required to facilitate and guide the implementation of IWRM in the State.
(iii) State Water Resources Data Analysis Centre (SWaRDAC) to assist SWaRA in collection, compilation, scrutiny and analysis of all water, land and other natural resource data.
(iv) Enacted an Act on Uttar Pradesh Water Management and Regulatory Commission Act, 2008. The institutional set up of State Water Tariff Regulatory Commission (SWaTReC) delineated under the Act is under progress.
(v) Project Activity Core Team to implement the project.
(vi) Ghagra-Gomti Basin Development and Management Entity (GGBDME). SWaRA has been entrusted with the responsibility to develop a basin Master Plan for Ghagra–Gomti Basins IGGB), develop a Decision Support System (DSS) for Jaunpur Branch Canal System, and an environmental and social basin assessment (BESA) and social and environmental management plan (SEMP) for Ghagra – Gomti Sub basin.

Phase-I of the UPWSRP has been extended second time upto October 2009.

UPWSRP - Phase-II –

Since the UPWSRP was initiated with a long term perspective of 12-15 years to cover entire State, GoUP has decided to continue the efforts already initiated under Phase –I for funding from WB under Phase-II; propose and include Bundelkhand region of the State to study and implement IWRM in order to reform the water and agriculture sector there with emphasis to mitigate droughts and rehabilitate this region in long term perspective. This region has recently witnessed severest prolonged drought for the first time in the recorded history.

This paper, therefore, concentrates to develop the concept, identify the issues that concern UP-Bundelkhand region and suggest strategies to be adopted for implementation of IWRM in the short, medium and long term perspectives. The concerns and issues are first discussed and subsequently the activities to be performed under Phase –II of UPWSRP are enlisted.

Bundelkhand Region

Bundelkhand Region in Uttar Pradesh (UP-Bundelkhand)

Demographic and Economic Setup

Economy and Livelihood Pattern

Mining of stones, sand, gravel and building material, represent very low industrial activity and limited employment potentials for reducing dependence on agriculture.

With surface water irrigation more or less developed and ground water irrigation developed to the extent of 25.8% of its resources in UP-Bundelkhand, inadequate maintenance and inappropriate management of these resources coupled with age old technologies of agriculture development and under nourished and low yielding bovine population renders the people to remain poor, more than 90% of which depend on these activities.

Land Use

Remote sensing and GIS mapping can help identify such areas.

Net sown area as percent of geographical area varies from about 50 % in Chitrakoot to about 78% in Banda. Net irrigated area as percent of NSA is very high in Lalitpur (89.89%), Jhansi (60%), and Jalaun (58.80%) and extremely small in Chitrakoot (26%). In all 28 major and medium schemes and 37 lift irrigation schemes are in operation at present contributing to about 16.17% of the canal irrigation. Gross irrigated area as percent of NIA is lower as compared to the State and national average. Minor irrigation sector comprises of about 28.9% of the irrigation out of which 26.7% is from ground water source alone. Overall irrigation is of the order of 45.6%. Remaining 35.5% of the NSA is rainfed (mainly Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Chitrakoot districts), a major portion of which has the potential to be brought under irrigation from additional surface water development from Ken and Dhasan river systems and a large number of possibilities of developing watershed schemes to help harvesting water. There does not seem to be much scope for further ground water development. These aspects are discussed in detail in subsequent sections. Net irrigated area as % of NSA is very small due to lower level of irrigation development in Hamirpur, Banda and Chitrakoot.

Geology

Hydrogeology

The Consolidated Formations,

composed of granite, gneisses and quartz reef etc. These are hard rocks and compact with negligible porosity resulting into poor aquifers. The porosity of these rocks varies from 0 to 0.3%, and, therefore, these formations are incapable of holding and transmitting water. However, along the planes of weakness and fractures, joints, and shear planes, the weathering and decomposition provides appreciable porosity to up to 30 to 50%. Generally dug wells in these zones have a depth of 5 to 30 m with water levels between 3 to 15 m below ground level (bgl). The yield of such wells can range from 40 to 135 m3 per day.

The Vindhyan formations

on the other hand are composed of sand stones, shale and limestones. The sandstones and shale are hard and compact hence form poor aquifer. The ground water occurs in these formations under water table conditions in fine interstice of the weathered zones and joint planes. Deeper sandstone zones are compact and impervious and generally do not bear water and are thus unsuitable for ground water development. The cavernous zones and cavities in limestones on the other hand are generally potential repositories of ground water and provide copious discharge when tapped. Wells in limestones can yield up to 100 to 500 m3/day. Unless tapped, both these formations leak water which flows fast towards the Yamuna.

The Unconsolidated Formations

occur south of the Yamuna in Jalaun, Hamirpur, Banda and parts of Chitrakoot district in Uttar Pradesh. Unconsolidated formations are characterised by generally north-east sloping planes formed by the drainage system of Yamuna river. The sediments mainly comprise clay-kankar-silt with intercalation of sand and gravel lenses of varying thickness and inter-granular porosity. Thickness of these deposits is about 50-150 m. Ground water in these strata generally occurs in the upper zones of about 40 m. and under semi-unconfined conditions at deeper level below 40 m. Wells between 30 to 40 m of granular aquifer can yield 50-65 litres per second (lps) (4000 to 5000 m3/day). Hydro-geology of the Bundelkhand region is shown in Plate-III. The patterns of depth to water levels in a good year like 1998-99 in the pre monsoon and post monsoon periods are sketched in Plates-IV & V respectively.

Soils

Rainfall

Severe Environmental Concerns

Drought Occurrence in UP-Bundelkhand-

There have been only twelve drought years in Bundelkhand during 19th and 20th century, thus making a drought cycle of once in 16 years. Frequency of droughts during 1968-1992 increased to one to three in 16 years. During 2004-07 continuous droughts like situation prevailed in some parts of Bundelkhand (both in MP and UP).

More than 19% deficit in the normal rainfall, late withdrawal of rains, long breaks in rain spells, and their permutations and combinations are some of the reasons of triggering meteorological droughts. During 2004-07 there had been a shortfall of more than 25% and deficit continued for about four years. Rainfall failure exceeded nearly 55% in Jalaun, Mahoba, Jhansi, Banda and Chitrakoot in 2007-08. Table given above shows district wise deviations of rainfall from normal in last four years.

Cummulative build up of meteorological drought caused hydrological drought when reservoirs getting inflows from upper catchment failed to attract adequate storages. Table-1 at the end of this report shows status of storages in all 28 major and medium reservoirs in UP-Bundelkhand. Against total capacity of 2013 million cubic meters (MCM), actual filling during the period of 2004-07 progressively decreased to 17%. Situation in case of MP reservoirs was even worst.

Meteorological and hydrological droughts in Bundelkhand lead to loss in sown area, productivity, failure of crops already grown, non availability of forages, grass and fodder. During 2004-07 drying of tanks, ponds, dug-wells and fall in water level in ground water table clearly indicated hydrological drought both in UP and MP. Report of the Inter-Ministerial Central Team on Drought Mitigation Strategy for Bundelkhand Region of UP and MP has mentioned NSA in UP-Bundelkhand dwindling to about 60% in 4 years.

Future strategies of Integrated Water and Land Resources Development has thus to consider short, medium and long term mitigation of droughts in the UP-Bundelkhand.

Other important environmental concerns are discussed subsequently.

Ground Water Resources Development

Distinct variation in yield rates is primarily due to the hydro-geological characteristics dominant in Bundelkhand. District wise ground water extent and yield in Bundelkhand region are given below:

Water Yields expected from Geo-hydrological formations in Bundelkhand (both UP and MP) and corresponding irrigation potential (ha/day) is given below:

In Bundelkhand region about 70 to 80% of the aquifer is poor yielding and remaining 20 to 30% is already exploited. According to the CGWB study, there is a lot of variation in water output and drawdown of the strata and between two geological formations and chances of ending up into a successful bore well are very low. Better aquifers are already utilized and the remaining ones are not dependable and investments into tube-wells could be risky. However, additional dug-wells could be opened for harnessing lower yields in hard rock area. Thus shallow tube wells should be considered only for selected areas and that too for drinking water purpose only.

Surface Water Resources Development

The Betwa at Rajghat -

As per agreement between the two States, about 3370 MCM (119 TMC) of water is available at 75% dependability, out of which about 250 MCM (9 TMC) or 7.4% is meant for downstream committed use and another 750 MCM (26.5 TMC) or 22.2% each is reserved for down stream use in both Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Remaining 1500 MCM (53 TMC) or 44.4% is reserved for use by Madhya Pradesh upstream of Rajghat dam. Remaining 120 MCM (4 TMC) are planned losses from reservoir. Rajghat is a joint venture of the two States, which is nearly complete and its command is now under development. There are agreements on sharing of use of Betwa system between the two co-sharing States. Conservation and Management of water resource of this basin is the prime concern. Decision support system (DSS) for optimal management of resources of Rajghat and Betwa basin should be developed.

The Dhasan -

Details on flows of this river are not immediately available. It is reported that Government of Uttar Pradesh has almost completed irrigation development in the basin while Government of Madhya Pradesh is yet to develop its resources. In the absence of agreement among co-sharing states, quantum of water being put to use in UP is likely to change in future as and when development of the basin in MP takes place. Re-assessment of the flows, respective shares of two states, joint operation and basin planning of the Dhasan system to identify alternative options in MP and UP are the key issues.

The Ken at Daudhan Dam site -

As per information put up by NWDA on its web site, out of the total water availability of 6188 MCM (218.5 thousand million Cubic feet (TMC)) at 75% dependability at proposed Daudhan dam site on the Ken, presently 205 MCM (7.25 TMC, i.e. 3.3%) is being utilized by M.P. and 1050 MCM (37 TMC, i.e. 17.0 %) is being utilized by UP in Banda & Chitrakoot districts from Bariyarpur barrage mainly during Rabi season. In this way nearly 79.7% water is yet to be utilized by Madhya Pradesh. NWDA has proposed a Ken-Betwa Link project (described subsequently) and recently a fresh agreement on sharing of Ken waters, including some adjustments in Betwa allocations are signed between the two States. In addition, MP is yet to plan irrigation and water supply schemes upstream of proposed Daudhan dam. The key issues requiring immediate attention are basin planning and management including flood management of the basin. In order to optimize resources a Basin Model and a DSS for planning of Ken- Betwa River schemes as well as its operation and management has to be developed for the mutual benefit of both the States. Large scale afforestation measures in the basin, mainly Panna National Park are envisaged.

Other Rivers -

In addition, a large number of small rivers/streams/nallahs like the Paisuni, Gunta and the Baghain etc. originate within Utter Pradesh and have comparatively small contributions for use within Uttar Pradesh which are nearly utilized. The reservoirs on these schemes most of the time do not fill up to FRL and often dry up during Rabi. Practically there is a low level of Kharif on these systems. Interlinking of canals/streams of these reservoirs system can definitely increase availability of flows, particularly during drought periods. Study of basin plans of these systems, interlinking options and development of DSS for integrated system of these reservoirs would be the key areas of interest.

Joint projects of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh

Rajghat dam –

a joint project of the two states - Out of 119 TMC of waters available at Rajghat dam site, 53 TMC (44.5%) is reserved for use in upstream cathchment by Madhya Pradesh. From the 62 TMC of live storage at Rajghat dam site, 9 TMC (7.5%) is to be used for committed downstream use in UP and MP, 50% of balance storage i.e., up to 26.5 TMC plus half of the losses from dam to be utilized by UP and balance and excess over 23.5 TMC is for use in Madhya Pradesh in Datia district. To utilize respective shares, the two States are developing their respective commands, which should be given highest priority. Optimal management through development of micro irrigation, implementation of command area development and participatory programmes are priority areas for this system.

Ken-Betwa Link project – a Proposal of NWDA -

To utilize the untapped waters of the Ken basin, National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has proposed in its feasibility report, diversion of Ken waters to water deficit Betwa basin through a 232 km. long link canal of 72 Cumecs discharge capacity, which will pass through water deficit areas of Chattarpur, Tikamgarh districts. Water is proposed to be diverted after considering basin demands and down stream commitments of both MP and UP. The link canal will provide irrigation to water short areas of upper Betwa basin of MP by way of substitution and also to enroute areas of MP and UP The command envisaged in the earlier proposed Ken Multipurpose project (KMPP) by MP is also to be irrigated from this project for which a dam with revised live capacity of 2753 MCM is proposed on the Ken at Daudhan 2.5 km upstream of existing Gangau weir. The net water availability at dam site after accounting for committed and proposed requirements is 2225 MCM, out of which, 850 MCM is provided to U.P. and 1375 MCM to M.P. for use in KMPP command as per inter-state agreement of 1981 on river Ken. Plate-IX shows layout map of the Ken – Betwa link project as proposed by NWDA. Pattern of utilisations proposed is as under:

Ken Betwa link project and the ongoing and proposed projects upstream of the proposed Daudhan dam on full development are likely to transform the entire belt of Sagar, Damoh, Panna, Chattarpur and parts of Tikamgarh districts in M.P. and Banda, parts of Mahoba and Chitrakoot districts in U.P. to water rich areas. Water deficit felt during past four years due to deficit rainfall in the Panna, Chattarpur, Tikamgarh, Mahoba, Bandha, can be effectively mitigated through link canals and the two states should give a serious thinking on enroute development. A comprehensive and coordinated development of this project can mitigate the crisis like the present one to a thing of the past. Therefore, it is utmost important that Ken-Betwa Link Project and projects planned upstream of the Daudhan dam in Panna, Sagar and Damoh districts must be taken up on priority. It is understood that NWDA has finalized the Detailed Project Report of the Project.

Suggested modifications in design parameters of Ken-Betwa Link Project -

Central belt of Bundelkhand region both in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh receive normal rainfalls close to threshold for triggering severe droughts. Small deviations in rainfall recurring beyond two years could trigger severe drought conditions as meager ground water potential dwindles fast and takes much longer to recoup. Recent droughts have demonstrated that geology and hydro-geology do not permit long term sustainable use of ground water in the absence of assured recharge. As detailed designs of the Ken Betwa Link are under progress, peculiar characteristics of the soils, geology, hydro-geology, rainfall, prevailing irrigation practices and likely diversification expected in the proposed cropping pattern should be effectively integrated in the designs at this stage. Present cropping pattern, which is mainly Rabi dominant, is likely to change once assure irrigation becomes available. Both the states should, therefore, consider some adjustments to the allocations of flows already made at this stage to increase enroute requirements of irrigation and water supplies especially in the light of likely changes expected in recharge patterns in aquifers. Systematic and comprehensive assessment and studies integrating future return flows, which are more or less assured, are called for. Irrigation enroute in UP-Bundelkhand should be increased and clubbed and designed for conjunctive use with part Rabi irrigation from existing tube wells/ dug wells. Deficiencies due to re-allocations, if any should be planned to be met from adaptation to pressure systems and savings from other water conservation measures.

Net working of Rivers and Canal systems in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh -

Rivers Betwa, Ken, Baghain, Paisuni, Gunta, and their tributaries Dhasan, Chandrawal, Ohen along with a large number of other nallahs run mainly from south to north direction out-falling into the Yamuna, approximately parallel to each other and can be easily net-worked within Uttar Pradesh. Reservoirs built on large rivers with catchments in high rainfall zone in Madhya Pradesh are not seriously affected during droughts as is demonstrated in the first two years of recent deficient rainfalls. Reservoirs on small streams originating with in Mahoba, Chitrakoot and parts of Banda districts of Uttar Pradesh, on the other hand could not withstand droughts during first two years as well mainly due to small storages, lower rainfalls and ground water resource depleting fast. Had there been some possibilities of diverting water from Ken and Dhasan to these areas, drought impact could have been arrested to some extend. Such linkages are not only desired during deficit rainfall/runoff period, but also during normal years in order to share equitable resources in an optimal manner, particularly so when the fertile alluvium soils are limited and should be made use of in the best possible manner for optimizing production/productivity.

Proper networking of rivers and canals within Uttar Pradesh are also desirable for efficient utilization of waters during normal times. A systematic management study of proper assessment of all Bundelkhand surface and ground water resources as well as their utilisations could precede the suggested networking of canal systems.

Performance of Surface Water Schemes during recent Droughts

Gravity Irrigation -

Barring Rajghat, which is a joint project of the two States, 28 surface water irrigation projects are providing irrigation in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh out of which 3 are in Madhya Pradesh. A live storage of 2013 MCM (71 TMC) is provided while in a good year actual effective storage is of the order of 70 to 75%. Another 19 dams are proposed. Table-I at end of the report provides performance of 28 reservoirs through post monsoon storages which indicates that during 2004 and 2005, storages in the reservoir was about 71to 74 % and was considered as normal (These reservoirs do no fill beyond 75% in a normal year). On the other hand reservoirs could not be filled up during 2006 and 2007 as post monsoon storages dwindled to 28% in 2006 and 17% in 2007 and canal supplies for irrigation had to be curtailed drastically. It may be noticed that performance of many of the schemes during 2004-05 and 2005-06 was good mainly due to low level of development of resources in MP and the pattern is likely to change once MP develops its resources.

In all 23 canal systems are fed from 28 reservoirs. Table given below shows the performance of the canal tails. Out of 1050 tails in 23 canal systems, water could be fed to only 566 (54%) tails in 2006-07 and 37 (3.5%); tails in 2007-08 primarily due to curtailed water supplies.

Table-2

at end of the report gives canal wise performance of irrigation during recent drought years. It is observed that as against planned Kharif irrigation of 126 thousand hectares (Tha), the same was supported only in an area of 71 Tha (56%). On the other hand, as against planned Rabi of 428 Tha, the same is supported in 527 Tha (123%). It may be seen that despite no water in the reservoirs and canal systems during drought years, irrigation could be supported by assured ground water recharge from irrigation/return flow. In spite of deficit rainfall and acute shortage of water in reservoirs, it seems farmers are capable of handling the situation through private tube wells or dug wells, a large number of which exists in the alluvium belt near the Yamuna. Therefore, assured return flow in the system is playing an important role in stabilizing the irrigation during uncertain drought years and should be planned or managed as an important conjunctive use component. Conjunctive use, though uncontrolled at present, if assessed and managed spatially and temporally, can help in revising rosters for canal net works. Alternatively integrated SW and GW rosters should be developed.

Lift Irrigation -

In all 37 lift irrigation schemes (LIS) are in operation in the region catering 17.79 Tha against which irrigation of 16.58 Tha is reported. Majority of these were in working condition and have reported about 93% performance even in drought year (2006-07) mainly due to their location on banks of perennial rivers of Yamuna, Betwa, Dhasan and Ken. Table given below shows the performance of these lift schemes during 2006-07.

Measures for Conservation of Water

Shift to Pressure systems wherever feasible -

At present enough water is available in Betwa system and this system is practically running at half of its efficiencies (See Table-2). Wherever feasible, diversification to low water intensive crops, shift to drip/sprinkler should be attempted. Some of the new canals in Rajghat commands, where Command area is yet to be developed, can be designed using pressure systems for shift to sprinkler/drip. Savings on waters can be easily re-allocated.

Bundelkhand Agro Climatic Zone

Cropping Pattern

Use of fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, varieties grown traditionally and newer varieties

Diversification & Intensification

Kharif versus Rabi Sowing (Anna Pratha) –

In Uttar Pradesh portion of Bundelkhand traditionally 25% area is sown in Kharif and 74% in Rabi. Similarly in MP portion of Bundelkhand, 38% area is sown in Kharif. Scientifically, this practice is followed due to low probability of rains in rainfed and non-canal areas thereby making Kharif as potentially non-assured. In that case Rabi is atleast assured through residual moisture and ground water in rock ridden dugwells, which forms main source of irrigation. Almost every farmer has a dugwell in his house as well as at his farm.

Traditionally this practice is linked to the paradox of age old practice of Annapratha. The farmers generally leave their fields fallow for free range grazing system in Kharif season, which makes cultivation difficult. These livestock, generally sheep, goat and indigenous cattle, having low productivity are let loose for grazing. This needs changing mindset which needs massive extension efforts to address increasing demands on the land, rainfall and water resources. Many a time farmers are reluctant to sow during Kharif as stray cattle are likely to damage crops. An Australian company has developed a device to which passes 40-50 volt current generated through solar energy. It does not harm the animals but due to fear of flowing current, animals get scared. Fodder scarcity may to be dealt appropriately through assured fodder produce, alternatively through block level fodder banks. Cattle grazing camps during Kharif are not popular among farmers.

Another reason of lower level of sowing in Kharif could be manual weed management of high infestation, thereby limiting farmers to sow in limited area. Use of herbicides and weedicides can remove this bottleneck. There is an ample scope of intensification through promoting Kharif crops.

Major occupation of rural community in Bundelkhand region is crop production and livestock rearing. Usufruct rights in forests, other common properties or open access resources and migration for income out sourcing are the minor livelihood opportunities in agrarian economy of Bundelkhand in both MP and UP. Crop cultivation and animal rearing alone constitutes more than 90% of the over all livelihood. Crop residues contribute 67% of the animal fodder and coping mechanisms for mitigating vulnerability to drought has to be farming centric. Traditionally, the crops grown are coarse cereals, dual purpose varieties for grain and fodder, inter-cropping, staggering sowing over time, short duration varieties, mixed farming, share cropping, agro-forestry and enterprises etc.

Future options under diversification are to address competitive and emerging economic and social transformations. To mitigate droughts, Dwarf hybrid varieties of Pearl millet (Bajra), Shorghum (Jowar), Bt cotton, improved varieties of soybeans, chickpeas (gram), pigeon peas, lentils and mustard etc. have increased inputs and productivity as well as risks and distress. Hybrids of castor, sunflower, improved varieties of safflowers, mustard, ground nut etc. require one or two critical irrigation for harvesting economic yields.

Water guzzling mentha, sugarcane etc. are becoming popular in irrigated areas at the cost excessive depletion of ground water and inequality of sharing canal irrigation. Sesamum (til) could easily survive recent drought of 4 years but the returns were very low.

Newer options available to mitigate droughts could be Chickpeas, wheat, sorghum, paddy, maize, barley, seasame, lentils, linseed, mustard, ryes, ground nut, peas, urd, moong, tomato, onions, and other vegetable with combinations of amla, guava, lemon, mango etc.

Animal Husbandry -

Bovine and small ruminants rearing are an integral part of agrigarian economy of Bundelkhand and contribute significantly to the livelihood of farmers especially women headed, landless and small farmers. Animal Husbandry plays a major role in farmer economy here but the yielding capacity of animals is very poor due to poor breeding, feeding and management. The total population of livestock and poultry is 5.85 million. Cattle population is double of goat or buffalo population but cross bred cattle account for only 0.5% against the National average of about 15% non descript indigenous cattle of very low productivity account for major population.

In this region free range grazing system (stray animal) is very prevalent especially goat, sheep and indigenous cattle. Stall feeding is limited only to buffalo, basically in irrigated area. Poultry rearing is to a very limited extent. Under nourishment during recent drought of 4 years have made the bovine population relatively infertile.

Livestock posses long dry period and calving interval. Due to improper or underfeeding they become infertile leading unproductiveness. These problems occur due to lack of proper nutrition & disease management. Number of vetenary hospitals and animal insemination (AI) centers are very limited in comparison to large number of live stocks. Dairy and meat processing plants are also needed to encourage the dairy development activities.

Need for Fodder Banks –

Crop residues contribute around 60% of the fodder, and Kadbi is an important factor for cultivation. During droughts, shortage of the fodder had been the main concern of farmers as the residues of crops diminished and the grass had dried up almost every where. Major source of fodder comes from crop residues of wheat, rice, and legume straw with Kadbis of jowar and bajra. Since quantum of bhusa of the crop residues is only limited to about 60% of fodder requirements, it lasts upto February or so. During droughts, options to shift animals to cattle camps were not found favourable among farmers. Therefore, remedial schemes in the form of Block-wise fodder banks on the basis assessment of requirements need immediate attention.

Horticultural Practices

Micro Irrigation

Marketing & Mandis

Inland Fisheries

Agriculture Machinery and Implements -

Machinery and implements can assist in increasing the yield level of crops. Inland preparation, conservation tillage should be promoted. Zero till machine implement to turn the green manures crops & soils, sowing implement (Seed drill), implement for spray, immediate soil testing devices, harvesting implements are the most needful to farmers. Micro-irrigation system should be popularized to increase yield and quality of produce. Soybean processing plant, ground nut digger, potato digger like agri-implements will increase the efficiency of farmers and save the time. Post harvest implements and processing units for different produces will be helpful to farmers for increasing marketing efficiency.

Command Area Development Betwa, Gursarai and Ken Commands -

Under the command area development programme of the Ministry of Water Resources, Betwa and Gursarai canal projects and Ken projects have been included for on-farm development works in the respective commands. The works are carried out by Land Development and Water Resources Department of Government of Uttar Pradesh. Under the programme earthen field channels are constructed while some portion (around 20%) of the field channels is lined. Field drains, link roads for farms, water control structures are also built as a part of the programme. Osrabandi (Warabandi) is encouraged in these commands. Software activities like field demonstrations, farmers’ fairs, exchange programmes, training of personnel, horticulture and animal husbandry programmes, establishment of growth centers and maintenance of OFD works are also taken up. Evaluation studies done on these canal systems have demonstrated overall positive impacts, though not optimal. While there had been some benefits of the programme, the level of productivities and production are still on lower side. There appears to be an urgent need to improve conveyance efficiencies. Systematic demand-side approach is required for management of all the canal systems in a holistic manner taking full advantage of the Programme with participatory efforts. Rajghat system and the remaining of Betwa, Gursarai and Ken systems should also be brought under the purview of CADWM programme of MoWR. Wherever feasible, gradual shift to pressurized systems (drip and sprinkler) should be attempted to ensure conservation and efficiency of operation. Delineation of jurisdiction of water users associations, GIS mapping of jurisdiction, appropriate allocations, on-farm infrastructure development, systematic shift to warabandi can help promote Participatory efforts in improving field efficiencies, production and productivity.

Participatory Irrigation Management in Uttar Pradesh -

Government of Uttar Pradesh has drafted a Bill on participation of beneficiaries for efficient use and maintenance of its resources by shifting management to WUAs, which are presently formed under ‘Societies Registration Act’ as Kolaba Samitis. Draft rules and manuals are in pipeline. While there has been an appreciable effort, much needs to be done in bringing various departments to converge and work together in unison in this direction. Better understanding of irrigation, agriculture, extension, revenue, land resources development and other departments/agencies is required at grass root level with stakeholder’s involvement to promote volumetric assessment and supplies, equitable use, bringing efficiencies in operation and management of all canal systems through participated efforts for optimum production.

Empowerment of women in agricultural and allied sectors -

Goal of development of human beings is extension of human capacity, which can make life more useful, but here is a great disparity. Women has no such equal opportunities e.g., education, health, economic welfare etc. In welfare family women often pay more contribution whereas men are centered to subsistence income by contact with outer society.

Women are responsible for more than 75% of agricultural work. Reality is that some times they do not participate in available employment options but by adverse conditions e.g., inadequate earning of husband / head of family, spend more expenses on illness. Women are paid at the lower rate for the same work in employment market as compared to men. Women are not involved in decision making processes. Overall gender disparity is the resultant of economic, social, cultural and political disparity.

To empower women, the disparity should be eliminated. Here in the project, most important step is to improve all possibilities including economic development and involvement in decision making processes.

Self Help Groups (SHGs) -

Majority of rural people still depend on rural money lenders for their financial requirements. They pay very high interest even upto 20% per month. In this situation the SHG movement had its origins in the context of non-assess to finance from commercial banks for the credit needs of a vast section of population, particularly the women who are otherwise careful in their spending , diligent in their saving habits, intelligent to understand the productive links. SHGs are capable of addressing their own credit needs and also capable as micro-entrepreneurs. In the proposed project activities may be performed by the path of SHG. These SHG will also be developed and promoted for income generating activities at the village level.

Micro Financing -

SHG formation is made for many of its livelihood and other programmes. These groups will promote savings and internal circulation of funds. These groups will be linked to the banks for saving purposes. The members are required to meet and deposit savings every month. After few months of saving, SHGs will be linked to banks. NABARD can also assist the group under specific programmes e.g., woman empowerment programme. Two types of institutions will be involved. (i) In narrow sense – small local financial institutions are required; and (ii) In wider sense – national or regional banks and development financial institutions (DFIs) with micro finance services for small servers and borrowers are essential. Easy credit and appropriate insurance cover at Government level can only help growth of SHGs.

Migratory labour versus Loss of agriculture

Women in traditional income generating activities (IGA) can help in preventing the migration.

Better opportunities and production for WSHGs will lead to more income; more income will promote diversification of agriculture which needs more labour. This employment will be able to provide satisfactory income level. By special efforts (employment cycle) of on-farm and non-farm practices, migration can be checked.

Reforms in Agri-Sector

Domestic and Industrial Water Development in UP-Bundelkhand

There is no large scale industry in UP-Bundelkhand except uncontrolled mining for building material. To increase the livelihood options future industrial base has to be agro-based. Therefore,

proper policy and planning of industrial development has also to be linked with domestic needs, imports and exports from the region, as Government of UP has already decided to give Industrial supplies a second priority in non-allocated areas.

Promotion of Soil Conservation, Watershed Development Programmes in UP-Bundelkhand

Other Environmental and Ecological Concerns

Flood Management and Drainage Control-

Based on recommendations of the Task force constituted to study the suggestions of National Flood Commission (RBA-1976); both structural and non structural measures have been taken by States to fight floods. Total flood prone area in Uttar Pradesh is around 7.34 Mha i.e., 22% of the country, out of which about 1.53 Mha till 1993- NCIWRD has only been covered through flood protection works and a large chunk is yet to be covered. More than half of it is affected every year. About 1811Km. of embankments, 3593 km of drainage channels, have been built so far, 64 towns and about 4511 villages have been given protection. Separate details in respect of UP-Bundelkhand are not readily available, but it is emphasized that except for Betwa, where a series of reservoirs have been built, almost major and medium level rivers/streams bring a large amount of flood waters laden with silt. Majority of the rivers in UP-Bundelkhand are flashy and inundate vast tracts of land in the lower reaches and cause huge damages to life and property. Of these, Ken river system is most notorious as practically no storages are bit in upper catchment.

NWP has stressed that each basin should have a Master Plan for Flood Control and Management for each flood prone area. Sound watershed management through extensive soil conservation, catchment area treatment, preservation of forests and increasing the forest area and construction of check dams, should be promoted to reduce the intensity of floods. Adequate flood cushion should be provided in storage projects wherever feasible, to facilitate better flood management. An extensive network of flood forecasting network should be established for timely warning to the settlements in flood plains, along the regulation of settlements and economic activity in the flood plain zones, to minimize the loss of life and property on account of floods.

NCIWRD has recommended that a permanent machinery need be set up for preparing a comprehensive plan of action for (a) flood management, (b) Flood forecasting and flood warning, (c) Flood routing over reservoirs and (d) taking structural and non- structural measures for flood control. Important action points suggested by NCIWRD are (i) Enactment of legislation for flood plain zoning and delineating zones corresponding to 25, 50 and 100 year floods; (ii) flood proofing - devising emergency action plan not involving evacuation, e.g., providing raised platforms, relocating civil and public utility installations above flood levels and relieving flood congestion by appropriate operation of sluice gates, pumping etc. wherever necessary; (iii) flood insurance – for re-distribution of flood damages over larger population, e.g. crop insurance, (iv) disaster management and preparedness – to minimize the loss to life and property by advance warning and alerting flood fighting and to mobilize flood protection machinery at short notice; model action plan need be prepared for each flood prone area; (v) people’s participation – participation of people including stakeholders at all stages of undertaking flood protection and disaster management measures including relief and rehabilitation measures is essential; and (vi) ensure central assistance.

In order to examine the effectiveness and performance of embankments, and ensuring the efficacy of dams, flood protection and drainage works, various preventive measures such as pre flood inspections, dam safety and required repairs are taken up. However, not much attention is being given to morphological mapping, and assessment & movement of sediment flows, both floating and bed loads. There is a need to periodically observe behaviour of rivers, of assess flows including sediment loads, track meandering and movement of shoals etc. through GIS network and take necessary preventive measures through adequate Flood Management Information System (FMIS). Encroachments of flood plains should be removed as early as possible and flood zones clearly defined. Also it would be desirable to review the plans prepared for all major, medium and small streams in UP-Bundelkhand, review gate operation during floods in case of reservoirs, ensure effective mechanism to operate gates as per schedules. Master plans for floods in case of all rivers in UP-Bundelkhand should be devised after incorporating specific dynamic flow studies using established mathematical and physicals models.

Degradation due to Deforestation -

Report of the Central Team on ‘Drought Mitigation Strategies’ (2008) mentions that integrated conservation and management of rainfall, soil, biomass, livestock, and social capital in undulating topography of Bundelkhand region (both MP and UP) should follow the natural sequence of treatments from ridge to valley. Tops of Hillocks are mainly occupied by forests [ Panna – 38%, Damoh – 36.5%, Sagar – 28%, Chattarpur -19.5% in MP and Chitrakoot – 18%, Lalitpur 11% in UP]. About 50 to 60% of the forests in MP and UP are open, degraded and scrub with less than 40% canopy.

In situ conservation of rains, eroded soil, nutrients, seeds and vegetative propagules by digging staggered contour and limited irrigation of adjoining farm land can enlist people’s participation. Trenches on sloping land and loose boulder or gabion check dams in nallahs (streams) should be the foremost intervention, Recharging and water harvesting structures for livestock, wild life, supporting regeneration of vegetation, afforestation

Afforestation Measures Require Planting of fruits, fuel and fodder trees, shrubs, seeding of grasses or pasture legumes to improve forage, transparent sharing of goods and services should be an essential component of joint forest management Committees (JFMCs). Fodder trees like Albizzia Lebbek, A. Procea, Hardwickia binnata, Leucaenia Leucocephola (k&S24), Sesbania grandifolia/aegyptica, Ficus sps, and Acacia should be included in the plantation. Grasses like Cenchrus ciliaris, Guinea grass and legumes like Stylosanthes hamata, Clitoria termatea should be seeded on soil exvavated from trenches and on barren spots. For this purpose, IGFRI Jhansi of ICAR may be consulted for seeds or sapling of fodder trees, grasses and forage legumes etc.

Sharing produce with participant community may be examined and negotiated with stakeholders. The packages should be developed and implemented through NGOs and JFMCs. About 60,000 ha of degraded and scrub forests can be treated in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh with short term perspective of 3-4 years.

Water logging –

Incidences of water logging have been observed along canals in alluvium belts in Hamirpur, Banda and parts of Mahoba, though there are no large scale problem in UP- Bundelkhand, where ever it is occurring, it has helped in overall recharging to the area and has indirectly benefited farmers through conjunctive use, which is more or less uncontrolled. However, this concern can aggravate in future and cause large scale menace. Remote sensing/GIS mapping and study of the problem areas, identification of the source and delineation of the extent can held in devising integrated rosters for surface and ground water supplies.

Mining –

Mining of stones, sand, gravel and building material, represent the only industrial activity in Bundelkhand with limited employment potentials for reducing the dependence on agriculture. Unprecedented and uncontrolled mining of rocks and soils has resulted into large scale erosion of soils and degradation of forest areas, hill slopes etc. There is a need to frame in some policies in this regard

Ground Water Quality –

Report of the CGWB on ‘Hydrogeology of Bundelkhand Region’ mentions that the ground water in Bundelkhand (both UP and MP) is weakly basic in nature and in general, it is bicarbonate type. The minimum and maximum chemical characteristics of shallow ground water by CGWB are as below:

Major part of the Bundelkhand region (both MP and UP) is non saline The EC is less than 750 in μmhos/cm in Banda (including Chitrakoot), Hamirpur, Lalitpur and Jhansi in UP-Bundelkhand. However, there are some isolated pockets of brackish water in rest of the region. Flouride concentration is more or less within safe limits; from public health point of view, nitrate concentration is relevant, some isolated pockets of Chitrakoot, Banda, Hamirpur, Mahoba, and Jhansi, where excess use of nitrate fertilizers are used, the nitrate concentration is considered safe in shallow waters. Details of Arsenic concentrations are not available.

Despite the fact that the UP-Bundelkhand water is more or less safe, it would be desirable that a systematic assessment of all water quality parameters is made through length and breadth of the region and an ‘Environmental Plan’ at Block level is devised.

Sodic and other waste lands –

A Note on ‘ Farm Sector in Uttar Pradesh’ prepared by Shri Sunil Kumar of Department of Planning, Government of Uttar Pradesh in October 2005(downloaded from Web site) mentions that UP-State has about 5.18 lakh ha of agricultural and another 16 lakh ha of fallow lands. The paper quotes from Sodic Reclamation project that sodic lands covers about 5.95 lakh ha, out of which about 1.5 lakh ha is reclaimed. It also mentions that about 3.37 lakh ha of sodic lands and other agricultural waste lands located in UP-Bundelkhand and UP-Bhagelkhand (Mirzapur, Sonebhadra etc.) belts.

There is a need to identify these lands through Remote sensing/GIS mapping at Block level and provide suitable treatments options with the overall objective to reduce the gap in potential, increasing productivity and intensity of irrigation.

Activities proposed in UP-Bundelkhand under Phase-II of the UPWSRP

References

1. Integrated Water Resources Development – A Plan for Action; Retort of the National Commission for Integrated Water Resources Development – Volume –I, (Dr. Hashim Committee Report)
2. A World Bank Document on ‘Project Appraisal Document on a Proposed Credit to the Republic of India for the UPWSRP – November 2001. Government of India, Ministry of water Resources, September 1999.
3. Hydrogeology of the Bundelkhand Region – Central Ground Water Board, Government of India, September 2000.
4. Performance of Betwa Gursarai Command Area Development Project in U.P. – A case study; Water and Land Management Institute, Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, GoUP.
5. Report of the Inter-Ministerial Central Team on Drought mitigation for Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh – 2008.
6. A Note on ‘Farm Sector in Uttar Pradesh’ by Sunil Kumar, Department of Planning, GoUP, October 2005. (Down loaded from Web site).
7. India – Living conditions and Human Development in Uttar Pradesh: a Regional Perspective; Poverty Reduction and Economic management, South Asia. A World bank Document, June 2008.
8. Project Appraisal Document of UPWSRP, Phase-I.
9. Census of India 2001.
10. National Informatics Centre Data on Census 2001
11. Statistical Diary – 2007, Economic and Statistical Department, State Planning Institute, GoUP.
12. Minor Irrigation Statistics, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India,1999