 |
 |
|
Over the last 20 years, with the advent of diesel pumps and the electric motors, there has been a rapid increase in the number of wells and tube-wells along the Gujarat coast line. Large-scale ground water extraction has led to seawater ingress. At places, this has reached inland by 10-15 kms, affecting underground water aquifers and leaving over 1,500 villages with drinking water unfit for human consumption. Though the average rainfall in the area is 600-800 mm per annum, the natural recharge of ground water is low. Environmental degradation of this coastal area has led to migration, decline in cattle population, acute crises of quality drinking water for the villages, especially for women. Prolonged use of saline water for irrigation has led to a decline in agricultural productivity and decreased soil fertility, rendering the land unsuitable for future cultivation. Salinity has caused social unrest in many coastal villages.
 Click here to enlarge |
Experience has indicated that tackling salinity requires a mixture of demand and supply side water interventions, the objective being to encourage farmers to change crop patterns and switch over to equally remunerative, less water consuming crops, leading to a decrease in groundwater extraction.
Ongoing field projects
In 2002, the Trust, along with its partner organizations, launched an initiative “Kharash Vistarotthan Yojana (KVY)”, earlier known as the “Gujarat Coastal Salinity Prevention & Mitigation Initiative”, to tackle this developing environmental catastrophe through a series of interrelated projects. A total of five projects are currently ongoing within the initiative.
(1) Aga Khan Rural Support Program (I) {AKRSP(I)}, Ahmedabad
The Trust is supporting AKRSP(I) towards a second phase of support under KVY, to mitigate and prevent coastal salinity ingress across 28 coastal villages in Mangrol, Malia and Veraval talukas of Junagadh district, Gujarat. Activities include: (a) generating wider awareness about the deteriorating conditions resulting from salinity ingress and its solutions; (ii) promoting adoption of water use efficient agronomic practices and devices; (iii) continuing to develop a set of replicable models for community managed economically sustainable drinking water schemes; (iv) developing a model on principles of river basin treatment to augment the water resources; and (v) assisting village institutions to evolve and implement strategies already tested. (Click here to read more)
(2) Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF), Ambujanagar
The Trust is supporting ACF towards a second phase of support under KVY, to mitigate and prevent coastal salinity ingress across 17 coastal villages in Kodinar and Sutrapada talukas of Junagadh district, Gujarat. It is also supporting fresh interventions in five coastal villages in Jafarabad taluka of Amreli district, Gujarat. Activities involve developing: (a) an integrated package to combat salinity with active participation of local communities; (ii) a cost effective and innovative demand and supply water management and agriculture model for efficient utilization of available water; and (iii) a network with government and development agencies for faster replication of successful interventions with active participation of various stakeholders. (Click here to read more)
(3) Vivekanand Research & Training Institute (VRTI)), Mandvi, Kutch
This three year project in Mundra taluka is developing a model for tackling salinity, in conditions specific to Kutch, through an integrated approach involving watershed development, water resources and agricultural interventions, implemented through community based institutions. The project involves: (i) water resource development and ground water recharge; (ii) reclamation of saline lands; (iii) promoting water saving technologies and alternate crops; and (iv) watershed development. (Click here to read more)
(4) Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development (TCSRD), Mithapur
This field project covers six villages in the Okhamandal taluka of Jamnagar district. The three year project has the following components: (i) construction of Roof Rain Water Harvesting Tanks for drinking water; (ii) agriculture interventions to encourage alternate crops; (iii) well recharge, sub-terrestrial dams and bandharas for ground water recharge; (iv) reclamation of saline lands; and (v) capacity building of farmers and rural communities. (Click here to read more)
(5) VIKAS – Centre for Development, Ahmedabad
The Trust is supporting VIKAS towards developing an entrepreneurial model for tackling salinity issues through the setting up of the “Salinity Resource Centre (SRC)” in Talaja taluka, Bhavnagar district. The key objectives of the SRC are to: (i) conduct comprehensive studies on the extent, trends and impact of salinity on lives of local people; (ii) disseminate the information on salinity to the villagers and bring a common understanding on the extent, trends, causes and impact of salinity; and (iii) document and promote innovations, best practices and research and development efforts on salinity related issues.
 |
Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell
In recognition of the complexity and the multi-faceted nature of the problems within KVY, it was felt that an effective solution requires joint efforts of both, government and civil society organizations, which could be possible through an umbrella organization. In February 2005, the Trust operationalised a three year project to set up the Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell (CSPC), which coordinates and focuses efforts within on-going projects under KVY. Key activities include: (a) developing a knowledge bank on issues related to coastal salinity; (b) developing new research ideas and innovative concepts for field level piloting; (c) facilitating coordination meetings with the government officials on possible collaborations with CSPC; (d) networking with academic institutions and technical resource agencies; and (e) appraising and reviewing the field projects under KVY, besides identifying new partner organizations. The Coastal Salinity Cell is slated to become the fulcrum to develop and strengthen KVY.
In March 2007, the Trust made a grant to the CSPC towards enabling the latter to implement enhanced water resources management measures through a participatory approach at Medha Creek in Porbandar Taluka, Porbandar district, Gujarat and Nicole Bandhara in Mahua Taluka, Bhavnagar district, Gujarat. The envisaged lift irrigation schemes address the issue of deficiency of irrigation water for about 130 families over an area covering 670 acres. The project also focuses on: (a) micro-watershed development through moisture conservation activities; (b) promoting water efficient irrigation systems; (c) providing inputs and training in agriculture and animal husbandry.
Click here to read on Interlinking Water Harvesting Structures Through Link Water Channels
Click here to read on Integrated Development of Valadar Village Through Wasteland Development Initiative
Click here to read on Agriculture and Water Resource Development in Salinity Ingress Affected Coastal Areas