Good afternoon friends.
Please tell of water conservation of Sikkim.
Answers
Answer:
This study examines the water supply systems, their sociopolitical dynamics, and the future of water management in two Indian towns in the Eastern Himalaya, Kalimpong in West Bengal and Singtam in Sikkim. The research was centred around issues of demand and supply, water scarcity and stress, equity, water governance, and the sustainable conservation and management of water resources in a climate change context. Methodologically based on surveys, focus group discussions, and key informants' interviews, this study finds that spring sources are drying alarmingly in Singtam, even as demand is increasing dramatically due to a floating population that is more than the number of local inhabitants. The town suffers from the lack of an adequate reservoir facility and the frequent damage of water supply pipes during the monsoon. Kalimpong faces acute water shortages all year round. The political tug of war between the state government agencies and the local government around the management and supply of water, declining water discharge in spring sources, the lack of water infrastructure for repair, maintenance, and supply, and the glaring inequity between the higher, middle, and lower income groups are the immediate issues around water in Kalimpong. The spring sources that supply drinking water to Kalimpong and Singtam need immediate conservation measures to arrest the declining state of discharge. Micro-planning at the local level, reviving drying springs, and the adoption of appropriate soil and water conservation practices on a watershed basis are all important ways forward. The development of water security plans and their strict enforcement through multi-institutional collaboration can contribute to improved water governance and socioecological restoration for sustainable water resources management.
Answer:
Water is a prime natural resource, a basic human need and a precious national asset Planning and development of water resources need to be governed by national perspectives.
"Besides clean-up campaigns for Jhoras (drains), Dharas (natural springs) and other water bodies, street rallies and shows on various environment-related issues can be organised with funds raised at the local level to create awareness among the masses," the Chief Minister said in a statement issued here today.
Calling upon all panchayats, schools, government agencies, NGOs and the youth to celebrate the Environment day in a befitting manner, he said the theme for this year's events to mark the occasion should be "Water - two billion people are dying for it".
"The theme calls on every one of us to preserve the most precious resource of life on earth, that is, water," he added.
Maximizing Availability
a. The water resource available to the country should be brought within the category of utilizable resources to the maximum possible extent. The resources should be conserved and the availability augmented by measures for maximizing retention and minimizing losses.
b. Resource planning in the case of water has to be done for a hydrological basin as whole, or for a sub-basin. All individual developmental projects and proposals should be formulated by the States and considered within the framework of such an overall plan for a basin or sub-basin, so that the best possible combination of potions can be made.
c. Appropriate organizations should be established for the planned development and management of a river basin as a whole. Special multi-disciplinary units should be set up in each state to prepare comprehensive plans taking into account not only the needs or irrigation but also harmonizing various other water uses, so that the available water resources are determined and put to optimum use having regard to subsisting agreements or awards of tribunals under the relevant laws.
d. Water should be made available to water short areas by transfers from other areas including transfers from one river basin to another, based on a national perspective, after taking into account the requirements of the areas/basins.
e. Recycling and re-use of water should be an integral part of water resource development.
5. Project Planning
a. Water resource development projects should be far as possible be planned and develop as multipurpose projects. Provision for drinking water should be a primary consideration. The projects should provide for irrigation, flood mitigation, hydro-electric power generation, navigation, pisciculture and recreation wherever possible.
b. The study of the impact of a project during construction and later on human lives, settlement, occupations, economic and other aspects should be an essential component of project planning.
c. In the Planning implementation and operation of projects, the preservation of the quality of environment and the ecological balance should be a primary consideration. The adverse impact, if any, on the environment should be minimized and should be off-set by adequate compensatory measures.
d. There should be an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to the planning, formulation, clearance and implementation of projects, including Catchment treatment and management, environmental and ecological aspects, the rehabilitation of effected people and command area development.
e. Special efforts should be made to investigate and formulate projects either in, or for the benefit f, area inhabited by tribal or other specially disadvantaged groups such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In other areas also, project planning should pay special attention to the needs of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections of society.
f. The planning of projects in hilly area should take into account the need to provide assured drinking water, possibilities of hydro power development and the proper approach to irrigation in such area, in the context of physical features and constraints such as steep slopes, rapid run-off and the incidence of soil erosion. The economic evaluation of projects in such areas should also take these factors into account.
g. Time and cost overruns and deficient realization of benefits characterizing most irrigation projects should be obviated by an optimal allocation or resources, having regard to the early completion of on-going projects as well as the need to reduce regional imbalances.