Water security has been defined as "the reliable availability of an acceptable quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods and production, coupled with an acceptable level of water-related risks." Sustainable development will not be achieved without water. Safe drinking water is essential to humans and other life forms even though it provides no calories or organic nutrients. Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface, and is vital for all known forms of life. Only 2.5% of the Earth's water is freshwater, and 98.8% of that water is in ice and groundwater. Less than 0.3% of all freshwater is in rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere, and an even smaller amount of the Earth's freshwater (0.003%) is contained within biological bodies and manufactured products. Water security also means addressing environmental protection and the negative effects of poor management. It is also concerned with ending fragmented responsibility for water and integrating water resources management across all sectors – finance, planning, agriculture, energy, tourism, industry, education and health. A water secure world reduces poverty, advances education, and increases living standards. 

Background

The Dangs is a tribal district, of South Zone in Gujarat District. It is called as the Cherapunji of Gujarat. The district receives an annual average rainfall of about 2373 mm. The rainfall is spread over a period of about 90 days. The importance of water as a catalyst for the development of the Dangs cannot be understated. Almost 85 % of the population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, which makes this part of the population even more dependent on water. Even though the Dangs has a high annual rainfall (2200 mm) compared with the average rainfall of the whole of Gujarat (852.68mm), both drinking water and water for irrigation is scarce. Hilly terrain and lack of adequate recharge mechanisms are the main reasons for this water scarcity. The drinking water scenario in the Dangs is on a critical juncture. The drinking water supply system (centralised supply, hand pumps and open wells) and the (ground) water availability are not in balance. The unsustainable use of ground water along with the undulated land and lack of any recharging mechanism has led to faster ground water depletion than recharging. There is hardly any rainfall runoff entering from any adjoining areas to the Dangs. Further there is no transfer possible for groundwater from one basin to another. The entire rainfall receipt is drained out of the district only from two outlets: one near Waghai for the Ambika-Khapri river drainage and another near Bhenskhatri for the Purna-Gira river drainage.

Likewise, in IWMP-6- Shamgahan Project, Chirapada is one of the village situated in The Dangs. The village receives ample amount of rain during rainy season and the main sources for drinking water supply are 2 open wells & 13 hand pumps. After the recession of rainy season the villagers endure problem of drinking water. They had to walk around 5 to 6 km to fetch drinking water. Sometimes they have to pay for availing drinking water during dry season. The Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO) had constructed one water tank and made the connection of drinking water pipe line to each & every household. Even after that there was problem of drinking water as the source (well) used to dried-up during months of February-March. During lean season the animals were also taken far away for getting drinking water. Although drinking water problem is not directly related to the family expenditure of the household but it has a huge opportunity cost incurred during travelling for bringing water for human and animals.

Intervention through IWMP:-

After doing survey & brief discussion with villagers an abandoned well was identified for renovation in EPA work. According to the villagers the well contains water for almost 12 months. Since that well was in a dreadful condition it was not used by the villagers. So the work of repairing the well with pipe line connection to the tank constructed under WASMO and a submersible pump for lifting water to the tank were taken under EPA. During EPA the well has been repaired & pipe line connection from well to WASMO tank has been done. A submersible motor was placed in the well. The cost of the activity was Rs 2.459 lakh under IWMP (GPS location N 20º38’50.3" E 073º42’20.9”). For proper functioning of the activity Village Watershed Committee (VWC) has taken a major initiative for providing electric connection to the pump by mentioning the work in the Gram Sabha resolution. Hence the cost of distribution of water is provided by Government under Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB).

An animal trough was also constructed for providing drinking water to animals under EPA.

Effect of work:-

Now the system is fully functional and nearly 800 households are getting drinking water at their doorstep. The well which is selected for supply of water to the tank is a perennial source of water thus the problem of drinking water has been solved permanently. Animal water trough has also been found very useful by reducing the travel time of animals in search of water.

Future Planning:- 

After successful implementation of this work, the Village Watershed Committee are planning to built small check walls at upper catchment of this well to facilitate recharge. This will ensure continuous drinking water supply even in drought years. The VWC is also working with the Gram Panchayat for regular repair and maintenance of the structures.

Contributor:- Miss Priya A. Kadam (Technical Expert, Dang) Jiteshkumar Somabhai Patel (WDT Er.)