Integrated Water Resource Management With Special

Reference to North East.

V.T.Vasagan

Abstract
Water is a vital resource for human survival and economic development. As
populations and economies grow, the demand for water increases while the availability remains
constant. The scarcity of water both in terms of quality and quantity cause serious problems in the
society. Today, when the fast growing regions of India experiences drought prone situation, the
North East Region enjoys water surplus. It is a boon to this region. But, due to many factors the
availability of water isn’t completely utilized for the economic, social development of the region.

This paper mainly focuses on the concept of IWRM in general and the importance of Water
Resource Management for North East in particular. The IWRM facilities appropriate planning
feasibility and implementation of water resources projects and management through development
of policies, legal framework, and appropriate manpower development. It highlights indigenous
techniques of water management system for proper utilization of water resources for various
sectoral developments.

This paper looks at the problems of water management faced by North East Region and the
measures taken by various states government to tackle the phenomena. This paper concludes by
highlighting why IWRM is so much crucial to NE and the important role that the various states
governments and central government will be required to play in ensuring the optimum utilization
of available water for social and economic development of North Eastern States.

INTRODUCTION
India is endowed with a rich and vast diversity of natural resources. Water is being one of
them. The development of management system in utilization of water plays a vital role in
agricultural production, power generation, poverty reduction, environment sustenance and
sustainable economic development. The availability of water places the earth in a unique position
which is considered as life saving components. It was once consider as free goods because of
more availability rather than demand for it. To-day, the requirement of water has over taken the
availability which caused major problem in the society.

This problem can be solved with the help of effective management system on the utilization
of available water. Because the water is not meant for one purpose. The proper distribution of
water not only meets the demand of different sectors but also bring rapid economic development
of the country. North East have good amount of water resources compare to other part of India.
But near about 35% of water resources taped for development of the region and 65% of water
resources are untapped which cause major economic problems such as flood during monsoon
session and drought like situation during winter session. Moreover, the food production and
electricity generation also affected. The proper management system on available water leads to
balance and optimum growth of all sectors. For which more contribution of state government,
central government, local bodies and awareness of water management among the people of the
region is sought.
NEED FOR EFFECTIVE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Water Management wasn’t a main concern during the mid1900s as the water resources
available then were more than adequate to meet the demands of the population. However, the
unprecedented increase in the population growth rates, urbanization, the demand for more food
production, power generation and resultant activities have led to not only massive depletion of
water resources but also deterioration of the existing supplies. The scarcity of water both in terms
of quality and quantity is causing serious problems in the society. Today, when the fast growing
regions of India experiences drought prone situation, the North East Region enjoys water
surplus. It is a boon to this region. But, due to many factors the availability of water isn’t
completely utilized for the economic, social development of the region. There is therefore an
urgent need now to manage water resources more effectively. This is why the concept of
Integrated Water Resources Management is conceived.
CONCEPT OF INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Integrated water resources Management is a systematic process for the sustainable
development, allocation and monitoring of water resources used in the context of social,
economic and environmental objectives. In simple term, integrated water resources management
is a logical and intuitively appealing concept. Its basis is that the many different uses of finite
water resources are interdependent. It is a cross-sectoral policy approach, designed to replace
the traditional, fragmented sectoral approach to water resources management that has led to poor
services and unsustainable resources use. It is based on integrating the resources and distributing
the integrated resources for optimum sectoral development. The diagram below shows how
water has to be integrated and utilized for the economic development of this region
Figure 1- Integrated water resource

Rain

Groun
d Integrating Water Resources River
Water

Dams/Lakes

Figure 2- Integrated water resource management

Power
Generation

Household Integrated Water Irrigatio

s Resources n

Transport
A definition for IWRM has been developed by the Global Water Partnership Technical Advisory
Committee, 2000, which is as follows:
“Integrated Water Resources Management is a process, which promotes the coordinated
development and management of water, land and related resources in order to maximize
the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising
the sustainability of vital eco-systems.”
This means that the sources of availability of water have to be integrated with appropriate system
and diverted to different sectoral development as per the requirement of each sector. This system
prevents flood, drought, poverty and promote irrigation, power generation etc.
According to UNDP: “IWRM is necessary to combat increasing water scarcity and pollution.
Methods include water conservation and reuse, water harvesting and waste management. An
appropriate mix of legislation, pricing policies and enforcement measures is essential to optimize
water conservation and protection.”
IWRM is a new idea that evolved in the 1970-80s as a response to sectoral approaches to water
management. It derives from new approaches to resources management and planning, one which
seeks collaboration and consensus building and using a system. North East Region (NER)
consists of eight Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura is gifted with bountiful water resources, carried by its numerous
rivers. The Brahmaputra in the northern part and the Barak (Meghna) flowing through the
southern margins along with their numerous tributaries are the two main river systems that have
created a very dynamic and powerful hydrologic regime in the region. A third river, the
Irrawaddy, flowing through Myanmar at the easternmost flanks of the region also drains a part of
it mainly through some of its tributaries like the Chindwin. The Brahmaputra originates at the
Tibetan plateau, passes through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and merges with the Bay of
Bengal in Bangladesh. The Barak has its origin at the Manipur-Nagaland border, passes through
the southern part of Assam and outfalls in the Bay of Bengal after merging with the Brahmaputra
by the name of the Meghna. Thus all the three major rivers of the region and many of their
tributaries are international in character with their courses lying in more than one country and
their basins shared by several countries.
Individually the basins of the Brahmaputra, the Barak and the Irrawaddy occupy 68.42%
(1, 74,528 km2), 16.36% (41,723 km2) and 7.27% (18,539 km2) of the region and together they
account for 92.04% (234790 km2) of the region’s geographical area. But the Brahmaputra and
the Barak, catchments of which jointly claim 84.78% (216251km2) of NER, remain the most
dominant hydrological systems having the greatest impact on the environment and lives of the
people. The surface water resources available in the region amounts to 652.8 billion cubic
meters that gives it the highest (34%) share in the country’s total surface water resources
potential although the region represents only 8 percent of the total Indian landmass. The per
capita and per hectare availability of water in this region is the highest in the country.

IWRM and Rainfall of the NER

Meteorologically the eight states of North East are grouped under North East India (NEI) which
receives homogeneous rainfall all over the region. The average annual rainfall of the region
estimated to be 2070mm and mean summer monsoon rainfall of 1420mm (69%of annual mean)
the NEI is wettest of all five homogenous rainfall regions of India. NEI receives the highest pre-
monsoon and second highest post-monsoon of 429mm (21% of annual mean) and 178mm (8.6%
of annual mean) respectively.(Das and Goswami,2003) Annual rainfall in the NER varies from
as high as 11,000 mm–13,000 mm in the Cherrapunjee-Mawsynram area in the southern Khasi
hills to as low as 800-1200 mm in the rain shadow area in the south-central part of the
Brahmaputra valley. It has also been observed that the summer monsoon rainfall of South Assam
meteorological subdivision (consisting of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura) has
decreased considerably over the last century at a statistically significant (at 1% level) rate of
about 10 mm per decade (Das, 2004). The concerned authorities will do better to draw up plans
to handle situations of wider disparity in rainfall and water availability for agriculture, irrigation
and other purposes in these states. Rainwater harvesting, has so far been largely ignored in the
region (with the only exception of Mizoram) mainly due to the existing perception that the
region has enough of rainfall and surface and ground water everywhere. However, the prevailing
agro-meteorological ground situation negate this myth and necessitates promotion of rainwater
harvesting along with all other traditional water harvesting systems should be improved in this
region.

Groundwater resources

Except for Tripura, which has a net groundwater availability calculated at 2.3 billion cubic
meters, the level of groundwater development in the states of the Northeast is low. Assam has
the highest groundwater potential among the northeastern states, but only 12.83 percent of
groundwater potential is currently utilized. The status of groundwater development in the
states of the Northeast is that Manipur has a total groundwater potential of 3,153.67 million
cubic meters, of which 2,680.61million cubic meters is utilizable. The total annual groundwater
recharge is 0.38 billion cubic meters. The net groundwater availability of the state is 0.34 billion
cubic meters after deducting the natural discharge outside the monsoon season. In Nagaland
groundwater development is only 2.86 percent, due to a variety of factors including the complex
topography and geology, potential for tectonic activity, and lack of appropriate infrastructure and
capacity.
Groundwater has played and will continue to play a key role in meeting the water needs
of the Northeast, augmenting the abundant rainfall and surface water resulting from the
geomorphologic and climatic conditions prevailing in the region (though a number of factors,
including the very steep gradients characteristic of the area, result in most rainfall being lost in
surface runoff). One major aquifer underlies the area to the north of the Brahmaputra, while three
to four prolific aquifer systems of Quaternary age underlie the south bank area. To reduce
depletion of the groundwater resources of the region, the Central Groundwater Board has
explored other options for small-scale freshwater collection, including the development of
springs and rooftop rainwater harvesting.
IWRM and Water Quality in NER

Although the NER is not a highly industrialized region, problem of contamination of

surface water originating from industrial sources does not exist. But of late contamination of
ground water sources with fluoride and arsenic and consequent health hazards have emerged as
one of the most critical problem of the this region Children and young people have been affected
more with body deformations and skin diseases. Till now no effective measures have been taken
to provide health security and safe drinking water to the people of these areas nor have any
programs been launched for effective remediation of these problems. The civil society also has a
major role to play in terms of empowering these distressed people to live a life of dignity.
Keeping in mind that these are the areas that get relatively low rainfall and are dry, an integrated
strategy for supplying safe drinking water and sufficient water for agriculture and other purposes
can only address the problems holistically.
Key principles of IWRM
• Water should be treated as an economic, social and environmental good;
• Water policies should focus on both the management of water (demand) and the
provision of water (supply);
• Government regulatory frameworks are critical in fostering the sustainable development
of water resources;
• Water resources should be managed at the lowest appropriate level (i.e., in communities
and villages as opposed to in capitals); and
• Women should be recognized for and supported in the central role they play in the
provision, management and safeguarding of water
Integrated Water Resources Management for North East
The water management bodies of North East should implement an effective system in the
utilization of available water. The integration of water resource management has three main
pillars which enable to provide adequate water for all.
Figure-3
Problems and issues in water resources management in NER
Irrigation is the largest consumptive use of water in the Brahmaputra-Barak basin,
accounting for almost 91 percent of total water consumption. However, most of the waters
withdrawn for irrigation are lost as non-beneficial depletion. Such losses can be reduced by
using effective irrigation practices, including precision irrigation techniques, adjustment of
crop planting to match less evaporative periods of demand, and increased reuse of water.
Overall irrigation efficiency in the Brahmaputra basin is 32 percent, and potential annual
evapotranspiration is calculated as 1,144 millimeters, which is lowest among the basins
(Amarasinghe and others2004).
The power generation is affected during off monsoon session because of lack of storage capacity.
The number of dams and lakes are less than the requirement to store the available water. The
numbers of hydro power generating stations are less than the requirement which caused serious
electricity problem and low industrial development in the region.
Even the household sector is highly affected due to mismanagement of available water. The
people in hill region find acquit shortage of water during winter whereas the people in plain
region who depends on ground water get iron-content water. For which no water bodies take
responsibility to solve the problem.

Future water demand

A gross demand of 62.4 billion cubic meters and a net demand of 27.6 billion cubic meters
have been projected by 2050 for meeting domestic, industrial, livestock, and agricultural
requirements. The dependable flow of the Brahmaputra and Barak in the lean flow period is
estimated to be in the order of 3,000 cubic meters per second and 45 cubic meters per second
respectively at their exit points. The total groundwater potential of the two sub basins, at about
31 billion cubic meters per year, can support, for 240 days per year, a draft of about 1,500 cubic
meters per second. From a simple hydrological point of view, the groundwater draft may in the
long run lead to more reduction in surface flows. But together, from both sources, about 3,000
cubic meters per second of water is available (Mohile 2001). The net withdrawal from the
system, including groundwater, would be in the order of 239 cubic meters per second in average
which is lower than the lean flow of 304 cubic meters per second. It is suggested therefore that
the low lean flow may be sufficient to meet demand, subject to satisfying any environmental
flow requirement.
Measures to be taken to address IWRM issues

IWRM is a new approach to water management that promotes activity and collaboration between
communities, society and water users and, at the same time, ensures involvement of the
government and local leaders to achieve zero scarcity of water for all sectors.

1. State Governments should construct one Dam or water reservoir for each district.
2. Internal and External water resources should be identified at area level and taped.
3. Local –Self Governments should create adequate storage facilities to provide sustainable
drinking water supply and improve the quality of water.
4. Central government should recognize the principal role of water for ecosystems and
ensure to release water for all sectoral development purposes.
5. Finally, River-Link Project should be developed, Possible with southern region.
6. Villages Councils should involve local people to promote water education and awareness.

Conclusion
Addressing all of the above needs immediately is unlikely to be possible. However, there are
several priorities that need to be addressed to bring the current knowledge base to a level capable
of supporting any meaningful water resource management initiative. Strengthening water
quantity and quality monitoring and assessment is an urgent need, and requires integration of
scientific and technological approaches to produce better forecasting. A modern hydro
meteorological monitoring system with on-line sensors and data loggers needs to be built-up.
Similarly, radar alternatives for real-time measurement of velocity and depth profiles across
streams and channels must be in place, alongside an improved rainfall dataset combining rain
gauge data with weather radar data. With such real-time data, model studies for analysis,
planning, and management of a wide range of water resource and environmental challenges will
be possible, enabling achievement of tangible goals. Following the innovative approach used for
the Yellow River, it should be possible, once a dependable data-processing system befitting the
complex water resource scenario of the Northeast is in place, to use prototype and model
simulations of the Brahmaputra-Barak system as an important decision-making tool. The extent
of people’s dependence on a large river system like the Brahmaputra-Barak has rarely been fully
integrated into appropriate water management efforts. In order to achieve this, knowledge of all
aspects of the Brahmaputra-Barak system, taking into account its strategic location and how it
will respond to future geophysical, biological, and socioeconomic changes, must be improved.
Such scientific knowledge could form the basis for sustainable technological responses and
integrated, interdisciplinary efforts able to convincingly link development – for example of
hydropower – with societal benefits, such as flood hazard mitigation. Such a holistic approach
would aim to integrate a wide range of objectives, such as improved forecasting, sounder water
resource management, minimization of water hazards, natural resource

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