water resources-Case for Small Irrigation Systems

water resources
I am an Indian. Over the last 40 years, I have seen the way water-bodies shrinking, disappearing and giving way to concrete jungles.

When Kings ruled small territories of India, they constructed several irrigation tanks, canals, and even small dams to cater adequately to the needs of their subjects. Generally the citizens were self-sufficient in water resources. Though population of India has grown by leaps and bounds, no small irrigation systems were built over the past several years. No village ponds were added. Owing to pressure of human population several tanks have disappeared over time. Forests were mindlessly destroyed contributing to deficient rainfall.

Forgetting the native wisdom of our forefathers, our Contemporary rulers built big/mega dams close to the hills. The mega dams displaced animals and human population from their natural habitats. The huge water bodies created pressure on earth. They are known to be the cause of tremors endangering the lives of our people. Further no one appears to have given any thought to the inequities created by such mega dams. They blocked the water from reaching several villages to equitably cater to the needs of a vast population. Many perennial rivers have gone dry and many of them now carry sewage and industrial wastes instead of life-giving water.


The mega dams created 'haves' and 'have nots' even with nature's bounty on which every one of us have a share. The land adjoining such dams got copious supply of water. But tanks and ponds over the river's course went dry. The groundwater-table in tail-end of the river's course went down and further down.

Within India the states have to fight each other for water. The politicians make political capital of the dispute to meet their own ends. They have kindled the selfishness of the masses to take the fight to the streets. They showed bravery by issuing statements that not even a drop of water would be given to a neighbouring state.

I do not think it is just a problem between states. Today it is the turn of the states to fight for water. Tomorrow villages will have to fight for the same resources. Just because a stream from the mountain first passes through my house, I have no right to hoard all the water flowing in the stream.

Let us shed our greed. Let us make the community understand its responsibilities. Let us bring about a radical change in our attitude. Let all of us get a legitimate share of the nature's bounty while doing our best to protect the environment and natural resources.

We need to save every drop of water and help people get equitable share of natural resources. Rain-water harvesting should be encouraged and even made compulsory. I think all right thinking Indians should unite and put a halt to further construction of big dams across perennial rivers of India. If such dams have to be built, let them be on the shores of the sea to save the last drops of unutilized water which would otherwise go into the sea as waste. The age old systems which helped the masses to share the resources equitably should be revived.

Ramalingam