Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenario.

Introduction

India, with 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its freshwater resources, faces a severe water crisis. According to the NITI Aayog Composite Water Management Index (CWMI), 21 Indian cities are expected to run out of groundwater by 2030. In this context, improving water storage and irrigation systems is critical to ensure judicious use of water resources, especially in agriculture, which consumes nearly 80% of India’s freshwater.

Key Dimensions of Water Storage and Irrigation Challenges

Measures to Improve Water Storage Systems

1. Enhancing Traditional Water Harvesting Systems

• Revive traditional systems like stepwells, tanks, and ponds (e.g., Rajasthan’s Johads and Tamil Nadu’s Eri system).
• Promote community-based water management to ensure maintenance and equitable distribution.

2. Modern Rainwater Harvesting

• Mandate rainwater harvesting structures in urban and rural areas through building codes.
• Integrate rooftop rainwater harvesting with storage tanks for groundwater recharge.

3. Large-Scale Reservoirs and Check Dams

• Construct check dams and percolation tanks to store runoff and recharge aquifers.
• Upgrade existing reservoirs to reduce siltation and improve storage capacity.

4. Aquifer Recharge and Groundwater Management

• Implement Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) techniques using surplus monsoon water.
• Enforce groundwater regulation laws to prevent over-extraction.

5. Use of Technology for Monitoring

• Deploy remote sensing and GIS to map water bodies and monitor storage levels.
• Use IoT-based sensors to track water usage and prevent wastage.

Measures to Improve Irrigation Systems

1. Promoting Micro-Irrigation Techniques

• Scale up drip irrigation and sprinkler systems under schemes like PMKSY (Per Drop More Crop).
• Provide subsidies and low-interest loans to farmers for adopting micro-irrigation.

2. Adopting Water-Efficient Cropping Patterns

• Encourage crop diversification to reduce water-intensive crops like paddy and sugarcane.
• Promote millets and other drought-resistant crops in arid regions.

3. Improving Canal Irrigation Efficiency

• Modernize canal networks to reduce water loss through seepage.
• Introduce automated gates and real-time monitoring for equitable water distribution.

4. Watershed Development

• Implement integrated watershed management to conserve soil and water.
• Link watershed programs with MGNREGA for community participation.

5. Leveraging Technology

• Use precision agriculture tools like soil moisture sensors and weather forecasting to optimize irrigation.
• Develop mobile apps for farmers to access real-time irrigation advice.

Way Forward

• Policy Integration: Align water storage and irrigation policies with the National Water Policy and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Involve private players in building and maintaining water infrastructure.
• Behavioral Change: Conduct awareness campaigns to promote water conservation and efficient irrigation practices.
• Research and Innovation: Invest in R&D for water-efficient technologies and climate-resilient crops.

Conclusion

Ensuring judicious use of water under a depleting scenario requires a multi-pronged approach combining traditional wisdom, modern technology, and community participation. By improving water storage and irrigation systems, India can secure its agricultural productivity and water sustainability, aligning with the vision of Doubling Farmers’ Income and achieving water security for all.