• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Science & Technology
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech

Water Wars Loom Large In Maharashtra

April 1, 2013
Man snatches chain, woman falls off train

Man snatches chain, woman falls off train

December 16, 2019
7-year-old girl electrocuted in Navi Mumbai

7-year-old girl electrocuted in Navi Mumbai

December 16, 2019
Top Court Hearing Tomorrow On Violence Against Students At Jamia, AMU

Top Court Hearing Tomorrow On Violence Against Students At Jamia, AMU

December 16, 2019
Congress Behind Unrest, Proves Citizenship Law Is 1,000% Correct: PM Modi

Congress Behind Unrest, Proves Citizenship Law Is 1,000% Correct: PM Modi

December 16, 2019
As terror grips Delhi, locals take refuge indoors

As terror grips Delhi, locals take refuge indoors

December 16, 2019
Senate impeachment trial in focus ahead of House vote

Senate impeachment trial in focus ahead of House vote

December 16, 2019
Ferguson ruled out of rest of Australia tour

Ferguson ruled out of rest of Australia tour

December 16, 2019
Internet Blocked In Many Parts Of UP, Bengal Amid Citizenship Law Protest

Internet Blocked In Many Parts Of UP, Bengal Amid Citizenship Law Protest

December 16, 2019
Internet Blocked In Many Parts Of UP, Bengal Amid Citizenship Law Protest

Internet Blocked In Many Parts Of UP, Bengal Amid Citizenship Law Protest

December 16, 2019
U2 Features Smriti Irani, Gauri Lankesh As Female Icons At Mumbai Concert

U2 Features Smriti Irani, Gauri Lankesh As Female Icons At Mumbai Concert

December 16, 2019
NPCIL Announces Recruitment For Kaiga Site In Karnataka

NPCIL Announces Recruitment For Kaiga Site In Karnataka

December 16, 2019

Fury splits with trainer two months before bout

December 16, 2019
Monday, December 16, 2019
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Editor In Chief SANTOSH BHARTIYA
Chauthi Duniya(Eng)
No Result
View All Result
  • Nation
    new frank

    Civic education can enhance democracy in India

    Shujaat Bukhari: An epitome of courage and objectivity

    Shujaat Bukhari: An epitome of courage and objectivity

    Bhaiyyu Ji’s Death: Suicide or Murder

    Bhaiyyu Ji’s Death: Suicide or Murder

    Samajwadi Party National Executive:  Azam Khan takes a dig at Ram Gopal Yadav and Naresh Agarwal

    Samajwadi Party National Executive: Azam Khan takes a dig at Ram Gopal Yadav and Naresh Agarwal

    NGT’s Ban on  Protest at Jantar Mantar: A Blow to Democracy

    NGT’s Ban on Protest at Jantar Mantar: A Blow to Democracy

    GST Pushes Modi Government on Back Foot:  Gujarat, Himachal Assembly Election Soften Government’s Stand On Gst

    GST Pushes Modi Government on Back Foot: Gujarat, Himachal Assembly Election Soften Government’s Stand On Gst

    Mohammad Ahsan Ahsan: The man behind the scene

    Mohammad Ahsan Ahsan: The man behind the scene

    Rohit-Shnaker

    Rohit Shekhar vs. Narayan Dutt Tiwari: DNA Test, Court’s Decision and the question of patrimonial rights?

    GOdha

    Godda: Adani Power Plant

    EVM

    EC to demonstrate VVPAT, hoping to put EVM row at rest

    Trending Tags

    • World
      Senate impeachment trial in focus ahead of House vote

      Senate impeachment trial in focus ahead of House vote

      Toxic Sydney bushfire haze a 'public health emergency'

      Toxic Sydney bushfire haze a 'public health emergency'

      Democrats seek Bolton, Mulvaney for impeachment trial

      Democrats seek Bolton, Mulvaney for impeachment trial

      India asked to provide list of illegal Bangladeshis, if any, on its soil: FM Momen

      India asked to provide list of illegal Bangladeshis, if any, on its soil: FM Momen

      I'm sorry for election defeat: UK Labour leader Corbyn

      I'm sorry for election defeat: UK Labour leader Corbyn

      Hong Konger 'missing' after crossing China bridge checkpoint

      Hong Konger 'missing' after crossing China bridge checkpoint

      14 killed, 18 injured after bus veers off road in Nepal

      14 killed, 18 injured after bus veers off road in Nepal

      New Zealand: Toxic air, gases hamper search for last 2 volcano victims

      New Zealand: Toxic air, gases hamper search for last 2 volcano victims

      Passengers evacuate Qantas plane via emergency slides at Sydney airport

      Passengers evacuate Qantas plane via emergency slides at Sydney airport

      Trending Tags

      • Economy
        Cognizant healthcare head sacked over compliance

        Cognizant healthcare head sacked over compliance

        Swiggy losses swell by 495% in 2018-19

        Swiggy losses swell by 495% in 2018-19

        Mandatory to link PAN-Aadhaar by December 31: I-T department

        Mandatory to link PAN-Aadhaar by December 31: I-T department

        Maruti Suzuki XL6 review: Ertiga's groomed alter-ego

        Maruti Suzuki XL6 review: Ertiga's groomed alter-ego

        Nirmala to hold pre-Budget consultations with stakeholders

        Nirmala to hold pre-Budget consultations with stakeholders

        Six of top-10 firms add Rs 65,060 cr in m-cap; RIL, HDFC lead

        Six of top-10 firms add Rs 65,060 cr in m-cap; RIL, HDFC lead

        Oil India Ltd appeals to people in Assam to allow it to carry out day-to-day ops

        Oil India Ltd appeals to people in Assam to allow it to carry out day-to-day ops

        Mother Dairy hikes milk prices by up to Rs 3/litre

        Mother Dairy hikes milk prices by up to Rs 3/litre

        India strives to become middle-income nation: Prez

        India strives to become middle-income nation: Prez

        Trending Tags

        • Sports
          Ferguson ruled out of rest of Australia tour

          Ferguson ruled out of rest of Australia tour

          Fury splits with trainer two months before bout

          ICC U-19 WC: India focus on process, development

          ICC U-19 WC: India focus on process, development

          Inter Milan go top despite brilliant late Fiorentina equaliser

          Inter Milan go top despite brilliant late Fiorentina equaliser

          Karim Benzema grabs draw for Real Madrid at Valencia

          Karim Benzema grabs draw for Real Madrid at Valencia

          Assault charge against former India pacer Praveen Kumar

          Assault charge against former India pacer Praveen Kumar

          1st ODI: In Dhoni’s den, Pant shows he's up for the scrap

          1st ODI: In Dhoni’s den, Pant shows he's up for the scrap

          India vs West Indies, 1st ODI: When visitors surprised fancied hosts

          India vs West Indies, 1st ODI: When visitors surprised fancied hosts

          Manchester City crush Arsenal with Kevin De Bruyne masterclass

          Manchester City crush Arsenal with Kevin De Bruyne masterclass

          Trending Tags

          • Entertainment
            Payal arrested, Sangram request PM for help

            Payal arrested, Sangram request PM for help

            Kareena has no plans of having a second child

            Ananya Panday joins Shakun Batra’s next?

            Ananya Panday joins Shakun Batra’s next?

            How actresses have evolved over the decade

            Photos: Kartik and Ananya spotted together

            Videos: Salman prove he is the ultimate Fitspiration

            Videos: Salman prove he is the ultimate Fitspiration

            Bollywood celebs who welcomed newborns in 2019

            Reema and Koena support Payal Rohatgi!

            Reema and Koena support Payal Rohatgi!

            U2 Concert: DeepVeer make a smashing entry!

            Payal Rohatgi arrested by Rajasthan Police

            Payal Rohatgi arrested by Rajasthan Police

            Trending Tags

            • Lifestyle

              Weight loss: Difference between Jogging, Running, Sprinting

              Five easy ways to boost your Kid’s IQ

              'They' is Merriam-Webster's word of 2019

              'They' is Merriam-Webster's word of 2019

              6 new and cool ways to wear denim

              5 sexy black outfits to party in style

              Daughter vs. daughter-in-law

              Daughter vs. daughter-in-law

              Parineeti Chopra's go-to snack is good for your waistline too!

              Desi chai makes an American a crorepati

              Desi chai makes an American a crorepati

              Will you prefer onions over free Goa trip?

              Xmas is all about reading books

              Xmas is all about reading books

              Trending Tags

              • Golden Globes
              • Mr. Robot
              • MotoGP 2017
              • Climate Change
              • Flat Earth
            • Tech
              Apple iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus price details revealed, goes up to Rs 92,000

              Apple iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus price details revealed, goes up to Rs 92,000

              Apple iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus price details revealed, goes up to Rs 92,000

              Apple slashes prices of iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus by up to Rs 22,000

              Apple slashes prices of iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus by up to Rs 22,000

              Apple slashes prices of iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus by up to Rs 22,000

              WhatsApp privacy policy challenged in Delhi High Court: 5 things to know

              WhatsApp privacy policy challenged in Delhi High Court: 5 things to know

              Is Car Technology Creating Stupid Drivers

              LG G Flex2 smartphone offers a self-repairing body

              ASUS ZenFone 2 delivers performance in a slim form factor

              The Basis Peak fitness and sleep tracker can help you form better habits

              Trending Tags

              • Flat Earth
              • Sillicon Valley
              • Mr. Robot
              • MotoGP 2017
              • Golden Globes
              • Future of News
            Chauthi Duniya(Eng)
            No Result
            View All Result
            Home India

            Water Wars Loom Large In Maharashtra

            by admin
            April 1, 2013
            in India, source, Uncategorized
            7 min read
            Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

            A large part of Maharashtra has been declared drought-hit. But distribution of water is quite incongruous. While the few who are politically and financially powerful take the lion’s share for sugarcane crops, thermal plants and other industries, the rest are struggling to survive. The Government has failed to deal with the crisis, report Aparna Pallavi and Akshay Deshmane from the State…

            RelatedPosts

            Water level in 91 major reservoirs dips

            Modi defends Demonetization and Mocks Congress

            SC calls Farmer Suicide “Sensitive”, Seeks report from Centre

            The 230mph Super Car That Runs On Salt Water, Salt Water: The Fuel Of The Future?


            water-warStark yellow hills surround a fodder camp at Salse village in Maharashtra’s Solapur district. In the afternoon heat, cattle desultorily munch on hard chunks of sugarcane, while farmers doze in nooks of shade. The picture of drought is dismal. But the lush green banana plantation barely 500 feet away is puzzling. “Maybe that farmer has a borewell,” says farmer Motiram Gadge. “Many powerful people here are growing banana and sugarcane despite the drought.” Gadge’s animals walk 14 kilometres every day to a fast-drying dam to drink water. On the face of it, the severe drought defies explanation. The drought-affected area received 60 to 70 per cent rainfall this year against the State average of 90 to 92 per cent. This is deficient but not deficient enough to cause drought of this magnitude. Fourteen districts in Marathwada, Khandesh and south Maharashtra have been declared drought-hit. More than 11,000 villages are facing water crisis and 3,905 villages have suffered more than 50 per cent crop loss.
            Comparing this year’s drought to that in 1972, the most severe in recent history, Bharat Patankar, a senior drought mitigation and dam displacement activist, says the rich and the poor alike were forced to migrate in 1972. This time the landscape shows alternate patches of acute scarcity and abundance. Water-intensive cane and banana crops stand cheek-by-jowl with withered jowar seedlings. The failure of the rainfed jowar crop has caused a severe fodder crisis, but unlike 1972, sugarcane has not just survived but is in excess, and being fed to animals as fodder.
            Unlike in 1972, the current drought is characterised by a severe drinking water crisis, both for humans and cattle. Significantly, villages with highest acreage of sugarcane are also the worse hit by drinking water crisis.
            Like many other farmers, Rahul Kargode of Pali village in Beed district pays Rs 200 for 500 litres of drinking water to private tanker owners every second or third day. He uses the water to save his standing sugarcane crop. But his new sugarcane crop has withered. The borewell he had installed a few years ago has gone dry. In Pathrud village of Osmanabad district, Taramati Wadke, who runs a small eatery, shells out Rs 300 daily for 800 litres of tanker water. “The price has doubled since November. If it increases further I don’t know how I will pay,” she says.
            This apart, unethical water consumption continues unabated even in the face of drought. While Aurangabad, Solapur and Beed districts reel from drinking water crisis, unscrupulous use of water in golf courses, water parks and swimming pools is rising every day. Parli thermal power plant in Beed was shut down in February due to water crisis, even as breweries and distilleries inAurangabad flourish. The biggest paradox, however, is that the drought has hit a State that has the largest network of dams in the country.

            War over water
            Thirty-six per cent of the country’s dams are in Maharashtra. But politically and financially powerful groups almost always grab the lion’s share of water. Conflicts exist between water users upstream and downstream, industry and agriculture, urban and rural users and even village-level political groups.
            According to the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) Act, 2005, there should be equal distribution of water to all projects in a river basin during water crisis. In November 2012, water in Jayakwadi dam, on the Godavari river inAurangabad, dropped to two per cent of its storage capacity of 107 thousand million cubic feet (tmc).

            The biggest paradox is that the drought has hit a State that has the largest network of dams in the country… Thirty-six per cent of the country’s dams are in Maharashtra. But politically and financially powerful groups almost always grab the lion’s share of water. Conflicts exist between water users upstream and downstream, industry and agriculture, urban and rural users and even village-level political groups.

            But upstream dams in Pune and Nashik regions, which were 81 to 92 per cent full, did not release water. Jayakwadi dam supplies water to four cities, 200 villages, the 1,130-megawatt Parli power plant in Beed, and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporations (MIDCs) in five districts. While Jayakwadi dam had less water for use, Ujni dam in southern Maharashtra, the third largest in Maharashtra, had not water that could be used. Again, upstream dams did not release water. Ujni provides water to Solapur town and about 40 villages.
            Angry farmers and civil society groups launched a fierce agitation, asking for release of water even as they faced stiff resistance from political and farmers’ groups upstream. On November 27, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan asked for release of water to Jayakwadi. A total of 8.5 tmc was released from four dams, that too under heavy police protection. “The resistance is shocking. The water was not for industry or agriculture. It was for drinking,” says Vijay Diwan of non-profit Nisarga Mitra Mandal inAurangabad.
            Ujni dam has not got water yet. The conflict is likely to intensify as summer progresses, says Diwan. The contenders upstream are the industrially advanced Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad cities, while downstream it is the powerful sugar lobby.
            “Jayakwadi and Ujni were constructed to meet the water needs of people living near this arid region. Later, projects were sanctioned upstream, which diverted water to the water-rich parts of Pune and Nasik,” says Diwan. In the past 10 years, Jayakwadi has not filled up to its capacity. The conflict has defeated the purpose for which the two dams were built, he says.

            loading...

            Driver of the conflict
            The fight is because of the legal mess in water governance, says Pradeep Purandare, former professor at the Water and Land Management Institute, Aurangabad. According to the Maharashtra Irrigation Act (MIA) of 1976, all irrigation projects and their command areas should be notified under it. Thirty-seven years later, the Act has not been implemented because their rules have not been framed. “The irrigation department does not have the power to take action and prevent water diversions from agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes like industry,” he says.
            To complicate matters, in 2005 two water sector reform legislations—MWRRA Act and Management of Irrigation Systems by Farmers Act—were passed on the premise that MIA 1976 is brought into force. Besides, two water governance bodies were constituted—State Water Board and State Water Authority to prepare Integrated State Water Plan. Neither has held a meeting in the past eight years.
            Even basic governance is difficult in absence of infrastructure, prescribed procedures for measuring water use, irrigated area, evaporation, siltation, conveyance loss and theft. But Pramod Mandade, State Deputy Secretary denies absence of a working mechanism. “Too precise mechanisms were not needed when there was ample water,” he says (see ‘All set for the summer?’).With no clear reference point for governance, malpractices have become easy, says Purandare. “The process of sanctioning projects is in the hands of unscrupulous politicians,” he alleges.


            All Set For The Summer?

            It is still many months before water-starved Maharashtragets rainfall. But Government officials say the situation is comfortable. “The State Government has already invested Rs 2,000 crore in relief measures,” says Milind Mhaiskar, State Secretary for Relief and Rehabilitation. “As many as 1,700 piped water projects are being set up in urban and rural areas to ensure drinking water. Fodder camps are also being set up. Another Rs 1,000 crore has been sanctioned for the remaining summer months,” he says. But the situation does not seem so hunky-dory. As per Government’s plan water for the new projects will be sourced from Jayakwadi and Ujni dams, which are already asking for water. Besides, if all is well, why did Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announce that Maharashtra will buy water from Almatti dam in Karnataka to meet its drinking water requirement? Negotiations are on for this, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had said on March 2. On March 10, Government instructed the Mumbai police to prepare itself for a water-related conflict.
            Source : DTE


            Rs. 1,207 Cr Drought Relief Package To Maharashtra : Will It Bring Relief?


            Maharashtra is the country’s biggest economy accounting for more than a tenth of India’s gross domestic product…

            An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on drought headed by Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has approved a Rs. 1,207 crore relief package to Maharashtra, as the State struggles to provide drinking water to thousands of people. “Rs. 1,207 crore drought relief package has been approved for Maharashtra,” Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who is also a member of the EGoM, said.
            The country’s biggest sugar and pulses producer and second biggest producer of cotton and soybean is reeling under the worst drought in more than four decades, after receiving lower rainfall during the monsoon season June to September 2012. “There’s shortage of drinking water. The affected area has many dams but there was no rain in the catchment area,” said Pawar. It’s the second consecutive year of poor rains in the affected regions in Maharashtra. The answer is better irrigation.” Nearly 12,000 villages in the State have been affected by drought and the State Government has deployed nearly 2,500 tanker trucks to supply drinking water. Maharashtra is the country’s biggest economy accounting for more than a tenth of India’s gross domestic product.
            Out of the total amount, Rs. 807 crore will be released under the National Disaster Relief Fund to 3,905 villages in the State where drought has affected rabi crops, sources said. The rest Rs. 400 crore will be released under the National HorticultureMission to 1,100 villages where drought has hit kharif crops, they said.
            The Maharashtra Government had demanded a relief package of Rs. 1,801 crore under the National Disaster Relief Fund, but the Central team after assessing the situation recommended Rs. 872 crore. Last year, Rs. 778 crore was approved to the State under this fund to mitigate losses to crop.
            Drought relief packages have been approved for Kerala and other States as well. Of the total 34 districts in Maharashtra, the worst- affected are Solapur, Ahmednagar, Sangli, Pune, Satara, Beed and Nashik. The situation is also serious in Buldhana, Latur, Osmanabad, Nanded, Aurangabad, Jalna, Jalgaon and Dhule districts, an official said.
            Shortage of fodder has been prompting farmers in the State to feed cattle mature cane, but the lower sugar output in Maharashtra is unlikely to pull down the world’s biggest sugar consumer’s total output as the situation is better in the northern Uttar Pradesh State, the second biggest sugar producer. India’s sugar output is seen at 24 million tonnes in 2013/14 year starting from October 1, compared with 24.5 million tonnes this year, he added.
            – Agencies

            Tags: borewelldistribution of waterFarmersMaharasthraWar over waterwaterwater pollutionwater wars
            Share196Tweet123Share49
            • Trending
            • Comments
            • Latest

            Babu of delhi

            January 12, 2017
            Kin seek Centre’s help to bring back mortal remains of two Telangana men killed in Riyadh accident

            Kin seek Centre’s help to bring back mortal remains of two Telangana men killed in Riyadh accident

            July 25, 2019
            Aryan Khan Dances His Way To The Top Of Trends With Mystery Friend

            Aryan Khan Dances His Way To The Top Of Trends With Mystery Friend

            July 26, 2019
            NAked1

            ‘Naked’ Truth of Damodar Valley Project

            1
            ISRO

            ISRO scripts history, Launches 104 satellites in one go

            1
            V-Shanmuganathan

            Meghalaya Governor Resigns over Harassment Allegation.

            1
            Man snatches chain, woman falls off train

            Man snatches chain, woman falls off train

            December 16, 2019
            7-year-old girl electrocuted in Navi Mumbai

            7-year-old girl electrocuted in Navi Mumbai

            December 16, 2019
            Top Court Hearing Tomorrow On Violence Against Students At Jamia, AMU

            Top Court Hearing Tomorrow On Violence Against Students At Jamia, AMU

            December 16, 2019
            • Nation
            • World
            • Economy
            • Sports
            • Entertainment
            • Lifestyle
            • Tech
            Powered By FiHD

            Copyright © 2019 ChauthiDuniya.

            No Result
            View All Result
            • Home
            • News
              • World
              • Science
            • Entertainment
              • Sports
            • Tech
            • Lifestyle
              • Health

            Copyright © 2019 ChauthiDuniya.