WATER WEEKWATER & DEVELOPMENT

MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACHES IN RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT

DHEENADHAYALAN, MSPECIAL SECRETARY, PWD

GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

INDIA

6TH MARCH 2003

MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACHES IN RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT

1. Integrated Water Resources Management adopting the Dublin principles of 1992 involves judicial management of surface and groundwater, and

2. Water the single and finite resource has to be managed treating it as an economic good allowing the stakeholders and women in the basin to involve in the management and development of the basin.

3. The multi sectoral approach has been preferred by policy makers & users

4. This could not be practiced due to constraints in the administrative set up of our country.

5. The World Bank which supported the development of Water resources through “Water Resources Consolidation Project” in Tamil Nadu has given exposure to tools and methodologies for effecting the Integrated Water Resources Management.

6. Irrigation in Tamil Nadu is very ancient, hence mindset of hierarchal farmers could not be easily changed to suit present tools in short-time.

MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACHES IN RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT (contd.)

7. Participatory irrigation approach came in very handy to create ownership feeling, bringing stakeholders across the table, making them capable of understanding the language of Line Departments, Managers, Policy Makers, Consultants and Executives

8. World Bank supported the multi-sectoral approach for water resources development through the formation of the River Basin Management Boards, empowering them to take decisions to implement the above policy.

9. The Participatory Irrigation Management made mandatory by forming Water Users Association thereby making them a part of system improvement works, which they themselves executed in many places and agreed to take over the system for maintenance. Finding farmers community very receptive to this approach the Government of Tamil Nadu have formed River Basin Management Boards.

10. Current National Water Policy and the State Water Policy adopted.

11. Basin Boards formed for two basins out of 17 basins in Tamil Nadu.

12. Two River Basins selected in priority by WRO - one drought prone basin in the northern part with pollution problems - other basin in the southern part with partial drought, pollution & allocation problems.

“RIVER BASIN will be the unit for water Planning. Small river basins can be grouped together for the convenience of Management and administration”.

TAMIL NADU STATE WATER POLICY:(1994)

“Water resources development and management to be planned for a hydrological issue such as DRAINAGE BASIN as a whole or for a sub-basin multi sectorally, taking into account surface and ground water for sustainable use incorporating quantity and quality aspects as well as environmental considerations”

INDIA NATIONAL WATER POLICY:SINCE 1987

(UPDATED IN 2002)

STATE OF TAMIL NADU IN INDIA

ANDRA PRADESH

TAMIL NADU

TAMIL NADUTAMIL NADU

32. Palayaru, 33.Valliyar, 34.KodayarKodayar17

29. Nambiyar, 30. Karumeniar, 31.HanumanadhiNambiyar16

28. TambaraparaniTambaraparani15

26. Kallar, 27. KorampallamarKallar14

25. VaipparVaippar13

22. Uttarakosamangaiyar, 23. Gundar, 24. VembarGundar12

21. VaigaiVaigai11

17. Koluvanar, 18. Pambar, 19. Manimuthar, 20. KottakariarPambar Kottakariar10

16. Parambikulam Basin ComplexPAP9

13. Agniar, 14. Ambuliyar, 15. Vellar(S)Agniar8

12. CauveryCauvery7

ParavanarParavanar6

11. VellarVellar5

8. Malattar, 9. Ponnaiyar, 10. GadilamPonnaiyar4

6. Ongur, 7. VarahanadhiVarahanadhi3

5. PalarPalar2

1. Araniyar 2. Kosasthalaiar, 3. Cooum 4. AdyarChennai1

Minor River BasinsMajor River BasinsSl. No.-

RIVER BASINS IN TAMIL NADU

RIVER BASINS IN TAMIL NADU

IRS, IWS, Taramani, Chennai 600 113

PALAR

TAMBARAPARANI

Tamil Nadu Electricity Board produces power in conjunction with Water Resources Organization

Power Generation

Afforestation, watershed development, small ponds, rock mound checkdams, contour bunding, social forestry & aqua-culture

Fisheries & Forestry

Agricultural Engineering Department : execution of CAD Programme & OFD Works

Command Area Development

Agriculture Department provide fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, demonstration to plan crop pattern besides R & D

Agriculture & Horticulture

TWAD Board – rural and urban water supply (except Chennai city) –Execution of sanitation schemes - industrial water needs.

Drinking Water (domestic & livestock), Public Health

Water Resources Organization controls execution of projects and O&M. Monitors Ground Water Quality. According Ground Water clearance from Environmental, Institutional & Financial angle.

Water Resources Management

Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. Monitors effluents released by industries. Accords permission for new industries from environmental angle.

Pollution Prevention

Agency ResponsibleActivities

PRESENT SETUP, ACTIVITIES AND AGENCY RESPONSIBLE IN THE BASIN

v There is confusion and poor co-ordination in Resources Allocation

Urban conglomerations with boat-building industry at mouth of basin imposing additional inter-sectoral demands in basin

Peculiar problem of loss of river bed and aquifer due to excessive sand mining

6

Continuous flow in river due to Hydro Power Generation - farmers go in for water intensive crops. Uncontrolled consumption creates water stress below

Ground Water quality - affected by tanneries. Urgent need to tackle the issue of over exploitation

5

Similar tanks exist in Tambaraparani Basin as well. But there are about 6 reservoirs and 8 anicuts which are getting water semi-perennially.

Storages mobilized through number of tanks. Some are systems fed & others rainfed

4

Sizeable delta associated with Salinity – Intrusion problem

Sizeable delta associated with Salinity – Intrusion problem

3

No such specialities.Deep aquifer for ground water and a barrier constituting to water quality problems as well as benefits

2

Moderately developed in Agriculture and Industry. Distinct Hydro-Power is generated.

Less developed in Agriculture and Industry. No Hydro-power

1

TAMBARAPARANIPALARSl.No.

MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACH IN BASIN MANAGEMENT TAKEN UP IN TWO BASINS

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BASINS

• 135 members consisting of NGOs, representatives of people & stakeholders like Water Users Associations, Local Bodies, Unions / Blocks, Representatives of Assembly, Parliament, Industries, Eminent Persons & Line Departments

• The State Minister for Water Resources is the Chairman

RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT BOARDS

• To approve the perspective and annual plan of various activities in

the basin studied by Basin Management Committee

• To approve the Annual Budget for new Works & Maintenance

• General guidelines for implementation of schemes related to and affecting water resources

Board Shall meet twice in a year or more frequently if required

POWER AND RESPONSIBILTIES OF BOARD

- Irrigation, Agriculture & Horticulture

- Environment & Pollution Control

- Domestic Water Supply & Public Health

- Water Supply to Livestock

- Industries & Power Generation

- Soil Conservation & Water Shed Development

- Fisheries & Forests

- Recreation & Tourism

ACTIVITIES TO BE CO-ORDINATED BY THE BOARD

v 35 members including representatives of Water Users Associations and NGOs.

v The State Minister for Water Resources is the Chairman

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Can take all decisions on behalf of Basin Management and Development Board

2. Will prepare the perspective plan. Annual Plan and Budget allocation of water among competing demands

3. In due course the function of the Existing Water Utilization Committee would be taken over by this Management Committee

4. Line Departments would not approve any new scheme related to Water resources, if not approved in principle by Basin Management Committee

BASIN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

• Multi disciplinary with 13 members drawn from different specific fields.

• Located in Chennai as a common facility for both the basins with core group:

TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT

Water Technologist7.

Administrative Personnel13.Hydrologist6.

Information Specialist12.Economist5.

Training Specialist11.Environmental Specialist4.

Watershed Manager10.Sociologist3.

Hydro Geologist9.GIS Specialist 2.

WRO Engineer8.Basin Modeller1.

The Resource persons to be fully utilized to evolve suitable strategies in Water Management.

Can attend the Board and Management Committee meetings as Special invitees.

Joint Director, Institute for Water Studies is the convenor of the Technical Secretariat.

BLOCK MAP OF PALAR RIVER BASIN

PALAR RIVER BASINPopulation

1981 -- 3,955,427 1995 -- 4,969,7431991 -- 4,653,155 2000 -- 5,396,566

Land UseTotal culturable agriculture land - 63%Income generated by agriculture - 35%Forest land - 21%Wasteland and water bodies - 16%

Farmers – 5,83,254 Marginal (< 0.5 ha) - 3,64,032 62%Small (<0.5 - 1 ha) - 1,04,511 18%Medium (1 – 4 ha) and large farmers (> 4 ha) - 1,14,711 20%

Tanneries

Tamil Nadu leads in the total number of tanneries in India, 60% of the National Tanning Factories and 6% of the Global Tanning Factories located in Tamil Nadu.

-- 449 Units in Vellore District of Palar Basin (Upper Palar)-- 356 Units are connected to Common Effluent Treatment Plant

Palar River flows only for a few days around 15 days only in a year.The recent industrialization has negatively impacted the Domestic, Industry and Agriculture sectors with increased pollution.

SOURCES OF WATER

v There are 661 System Tanks - Irrigating 60,972 Ha– Capacity 355 MCM

v 4,900 Rainfed Tanks - Irrigating 2,03,983 Ha– Capacity 1,206 MCM

Dug wells - 250,000 Nos.Tube wells - 1,400 Nos.

v Water for Industries drawn either directly from river or from bore wells

v Everyday over 30 Million litres untreated effluent water let into ponds, channels, tanks, wells, rivers etc.

1. Palar Basin Management Committee met on 26.09.01 at Chennai

2. Palar Basin Board met once on 14.12.01 at Vellore and again on 09.11.02 at Tiruvannamalai

3. Two meetings of Stakeholders were held on 06.08.2002 & 24.01.03 at Chennai and the third on 07.02.03 at Vellore

4. One Consultative Workshop on SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) held on 18.10.02 at Chennai

ACTIVITIES OF THE PALAR BASIN BOARD TILL DATE

PALAR BOARD MEETING THIRUVANNAMALAI

09-11-2002

CHAIRMAN SPEAKS

BOARD MEETING THIRUVANNAMALAI

09-11-2002

STAKEHOLDERS

PALAR BOARD MEETING THIRUVANNAMALAI

09-11-2002

FARMER SPEAKS

PALAR RIVER BASIN STAKEHOLDERS MEETING

VELLORE - 07-02-2003

CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR PALAR BASIN AT CHENNAI ON 18-10-2002

PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE BASIN

§ Water Scarcity & Water Quality § Over Exploitation of Ground Water § Environmental Degradation,

including Tannery Pollution§ Socio-economic & Health Related§ Uncontrolled Sand Mining

Tanneries

The Tanneries are Treating their effluent…

…but the Problem Persists…

Agricultural Degradation

Decrease in Water Availability

SATELLITE IMAGE MOSAIC OF PALAR BASIN

Tamil Nadu State Centre for Remote Sensing Application, Institute for Water Studies, Tharamani, Chenai-600 113

GEOMORPHOLOGY MAP OF PALAR RIVER BASIN

• Ground Water Status - 45 Blocks in Palar Basin – Unregulated pumping – Lowering of ground water level dangerously

Salinity increased with EC between 3000 - 6000 Micro Siemens/cmChloride Concentration - 250 to 1000 mg/lTotal Dissolved Salt - 12000 ppm

Ground Water unsafe for Domestic and Irrigation in Upper Palar Basin

45 Blocks

7 Blocksover 100%

(Dark)

23 Blocks65%

(White)15 Blocks65-85%(Grey)

1992

45 Blocks

9 Blocksover 100%

(Dark)

20 Blocks65%

(White)16 Blocks65-85%(Grey)

1997

Extent of aquifer is huge in area

The depth of alluvium varies from 10m – 40m at upper portion

Near the coast sand occurs along with consolidated clayey sediments of around depth of 10m – 20m

Ground Water Potential more than Surface Water Potential

Sand mining

SAND MINING IN PALAR RIVER BASIN

Uncontrolled Sand Mining and Conveyance

v Sand Mining Attractive for sand mining due to heavy demand of sand for the ever expanding capital city nearby

v Uncontrolled sand mining leads to lowering of bed level and consequently reduction in command level in the river bed resulting no flow into the direct offtakes

v 39 Drinking Water Schemes in the bed of Palar are being frequently shifted due to pollution and shortage of sub-surface water

v Prevalence of Water Borne and Occupational Diseases in Upper Palar

v Mismanagement of catchment area & encroachments in foreshore causes siltation in tanks and direct off-take channels

E.g.: Maduranthangam Tail-end Tank has lost 37.65% of its capacity

v Spring channels loose their command due to lowering ground water

v Shortage of personnel to manage the system affects control

v Budgeting and cost recovery – State budget allotted from Central pool of revenue is inadequate

v Loss on ecology commission- The economic damages to agriculture production - Rs.270 Millions(1991-1998)- Future damages to agricultural production - Rs.3510 MillionsNetworth of Export of hides from this area : Rs. 91,000 Millions in 2001-2002This is miniscule when compared to the above assessed damages of

: 270 + 3510 = Rs.3,780 Millions

SOIL EROSION - SILTATION - SAND MINING

v Vision for 20 years prepared by WRO being discussed directly with stakeholders

v Awareness being created on the need for economic use of water, improving its efficiency, adopting crop diversification

v Stakeholders at different levels of thinking - colloquial, abrupt, selfish, adamant - have been brought within an optimum band width to hold effective dialogue with Policy Makers and Resource Persons

v Proceedings of meetings conducted in Regional Language for effective focusing by participants

v Provided opportunity to study and examine the intertwined nature of environment and water resources to arrive at an integrated plan satisfying various sectors in the Basin

v Exposure in such a common forum facilitated involvement of stakeholders with sense of ownership & attitude for sorting out issues laterally

v Stakeholders felt the need for sharing responsibility in these aspects which is still a slow process

v Integration of all activities of the Line Departments set in motion

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE BOARD

1. An logical and orderly process for envisaging a sustainable future.

2. SEA provides structured process to initiate (by forming a vision), and monitor (by setting objectives, targets and indicators) the basin-vide intervention for restoration and basin sustainability.

3. Development of a strategic action plan, programmes and needed policy reforms.

4. Addresses the institutional needs and capacity for implementing organizations.

5. Brings in required participatory & integrated process, transparency and serve as a true model for the river basin.

STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA) IN PALAR BASIN

INDEX MAP OF TAMBIRAPARANI RIVER BASIN

Activities of Tambaraparani Basin Board till date

1. Tambaraparani Basin Management Committee met on 07.11.01 at Chennai.

2. Tambaraparani Basin Board met twice on 12.12.01 and 24.11.02 at Tirunelveli

3. First Stakeholder meeting held on 23.11.02 at Tirunelveli

4. Second stakeholder meeting held on 21.01.03 at Alangulam

TAMBARAPARANI RIVER BASIN

TAMBARAPARANI BASINPopulation Industries

1991 -- 21,50,000 Small : 4,203 Medium : 739 Large : 19

Land Use Cultivable agricultural land - 24.95%Forest - 19.55% Water bodies - 2.34% Roads, residential and barren land - 53.16%

Farmers – 4,09,424 Marginal (< 0.5 ha) - 2,91,789 71%Small (<0.5 - 1 ha) - 59,263 15%Medium (1 – 4 ha) and large farmers (> 4 ha) - 58,372 14%

Sources of Supply v 1,057 System tanks - irrigating 54,707 hav 243 Rainfed tanks

Canal irrigation – 23,371 ha Rainfed tanks – 9,737 ha

v Dug wells - 71,064 Nos. v Tube wells – 10 Nos. v Total Area Irrigated – 1,04,098 ha

Causes of Pollution1) Industrial Effluents 3) Geological Formation2) Domestic Waste 4) Agro-Chemicals

Irrigating 16,283 ha

• Soil erosion in the watershed, siltation in the reservoirs, tanks and channels

• Return flow carrying agro-chemicals from upper region to lower region

• Tail end farmers not getting adequate water by space and time due to reduced carrying capacity of silted channels

• Excessive sand mining in delta has started

• Pollution of water bodies due to municipal waste and industrial effluents

• Ground water quality degradation due to calcareous nature of geological formation in one sub-basin

• Water logging in the lower parts of delta

PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN TAMBARAPARANI BASIN

v An exposure on schemes implemented in the Basin by WRO and otherLine Departments was given.

v Lining and desilting of channels and desilting of tanks were demanded.

v Removal of encroachments and thick vegetation in river, tanks & channels.

v Controlling indiscriminate extraction of ground water was insisted.

v MLA suggested for new storage / diversion project to utilize the surplus below the last anicut – Offered to remove vegetation and desilt the river bed bearing the operation cost by the farmers.

v MPs demanded control of Pollution in Rivers.

v A model Rehabilitation works in Tambaraparani Basin is proposed to be extended in WRCP.

v The Boards are in nascent stage. Requires more involvement and sustainability for which support of Government/World Bank is necessary.

DISCUSSIONS IN THE TAMBARAPARANI BASIN BOARD

v So far activities of each department compartmentalized without interaction with each other.

v Ultimately political decision prevailed.

v Interactive meetings among various Departments, Bureaucrats, Stakeholders – Transparency is achieved.

v Awareness of the Holistic problem in the Basin among stakeholders and a sense of prioritization of the demand by consensus is created.

v Awareness on the effect of environmental degradation and stakeholders’ responsibilities to prevent them created.

v Integrated approach by various line departments for the social and economic benefit of the stakeholders with their consent created.

OBSERVATIONS AND LEARNINGS MADE FROM THE MEETINGS OF BASIN BOARDS, STAKEHOLDERS

v Frequent meetings of stakeholders make them aware of all the problems prevailing in the basin and facilitate to resolve the inter-district conflicts in the Basin by consensus

v The care on environmental aspects is on the increase. This Forumfocuses the need for inter-departmental coordination solving environmental issues.

v Financial constraints for developments of water resources, participation of private sector in some aspects is encouraged.

v Framing a definite policy on the concept of private sector participation and legal frame work needed. The Technical Secretariat to study the aspects involved.

ACHIEVEMENTS

v The encouraging experiences in solving inter-districts disputes in one basin increases the hopes of enlarging such activities for larger basin involving two or three States. Cauvery River Basin which is under inter-state issue being heard by a Tribunal. Perhaps a direct stakeholder approach if developed may solve the problems quickly and amicably with consensus

v Users are themselves the polluters in one way or other. Each user has a role to play in conserving, preventing pollution caused by disposal of garbage, excreta, domestic industrial effluents, chemicals and toxic substances. Their sensitivity - wisdom appropriately inspired for fixing primaries and resolving conflicts in these forums.

v The Farmers Associations formed under the WRCP, with TNFMIS Act enacted and operationised in the WRCP command acts as threshold forum for resolving conflicts and those which could not thrashed out at that level are referred to the Basin Boards.

ACHIEVEMENTS

REPORTS PREPARED• Water Balance Study of the Palar by National Water Development Agency (1992)

• Water Resources Assessment and Management Strategies for Palar Basin -prepared by Institute for Water Studies (1993)

• Groundwater Pollution in the Upper Palar Basin by National Geophysical Research Institute (1994)

• State Framework Water Resources Plan for Palar River Basin by Institute for Water Studies (1997)

• Environmental Impact Assessment of the Bathalapalli Dam by Twinning Consultancy (1999)

• Environmental Status Report for Palar River Basin – Plan Formulation, WRO (2001).

• Micro-level Water Plan for Palar River Basin by Twinning Consultancy (2001)

• Agricultural Drought Information System for Palar and Tambaraparani Basins using GIS by Centre for Water Resources, Anna University (2002)

• Citizen Action, Water Pollution and Public Health: an analysis of Administrative and Implementation Dimensions by University of Madras and IIT, Chennai (2002)

STATE FRAMEWORK FOR WATER PLANNING1. Integrates conjunctive assessment of Surface and Ground water

resources through strengthened Hydrological Data collected underHydrology Project, GIS and R.S. Technology.

2. Simulation Models with catchment responses, Reservoir Operation Rules and Optimization Techniques using linear and dynamic programming to evaluate development options and investment scenario.

3. Real Time Computer Aided Management System is utilized.

4. Micro Level State Framework Plan for Water Resources prepared for 16 Basins (except Cauvery Basin – Inter State Issue)

5. Micro Level Studies for Palar, Vaippar and Kodayar Basins completed.

6. Micro Level Studies for Vaigai and Tambaraparani Basins under progress.

7. Studies for other Basins to be completed by 2005

8. Useful suggestions received in the 2-Day Workshop on State Framework Plan for Water Resources of Tamil Nadu held on 2nd & 3rd May 2000.

9. All the activities in a basin are synergised and incorporated in the frame work.

v Published Two Newsletters for Palar River Basin

v One Newsletter for Tambaraparani River Basin.

v Highlighting the salient features of the basin, specific issues and case studies in these River Basins.

v Also in the process of applying THANNI Models

ACTION TAKEN

THE HOLISTIC ANALYSIS OF NATURAL NETWORK INFORMATION MODEL

• Applied to Palar River Basin as a decision making support system for water allocation

• Field data on climate, hydrology, hydrogeology, land use, cropping pattern, demands for sectors, water quality, socio-economic environment etc., collected, formatted and used to trial run the model

• This is an Optimization Model consisting of a Solver namely General Algebraic Modelling System (GAMS)

• To get maximum economic benefit to the society from Palar River Basin

• Input into Model can be changed according to requirements of sectors and run the Model for different scenarios & optimize the results

• Brings Engineers, planners, administrators, policy makers and stakeholders to a common platform to incorporate their inputs and ascertaining their views on the outputs. In short a participatory approach in model development

PROBLEMS FACED

• Technical Secretariat is a multi-disciplinary body with 13 Specialists. But still some specialists including Economist, Information specialist etc., are to be positioned outsourcing Consultant from outside, for specific problems is being taken up.

• High demands of the stakeholders rigid rules of the Line Departments stringent financial condition of State makes optimum allocation of resources difficult, often crisis management is being done.

• The stakeholders of different types & levels with huge demands could not satisfied by theoretical process. Hence the power of the Boards to be adequately increased to implement hard decisions also with the concurrence of stakeholders.

• Different standings on the environmental issues make decision making process difficult & reduce efficacy of implementation of rules of Pollution Control Board.

• Many times the approach of the stakeholders goes politically oriented.

• The gap between the required and available information on hand is wide and this has to be narrowed down only with cooperation of various Sectors and Line Departments.

WHITE PAPER ON KEY ISSUES IN PALAR

• Stakeholders meeting at Vellore on 07-02-03 - resolved to develop participatory white paper on the following key issues:

– Intensive sand mining and its impact on water resources

– Disposal of tannery effluent with high TDS by treating them in the Common Effluent Treatment Plant

– Treating the municipal effluent by Sewage Treatment Plants and using them for limited irrigation purposes

– Means for increasing the recharge potential of ground water sources in the upper Palar Basin

– Optimum utilization of the degraded land by developing and cultivating salt-tolerant crops

– Feasibility of constructing check-dams to charge the groundwater using the local runoff

– Improving the conveyance efficiency of the spring channels, direct open offtakes besides supply channels of rainfed tanks

– Disposal of flash floods in the ayacut area without soil erosion and subsequent siltation in the distribution system

– To evolve the ways and means of making irrigated farming a corporate sector thus alleviating the problems of poor farmers

– Integrated approach to provide safe drinking water along with the irrigation demand

– Facilitating the stakeholders to hold issue based interaction by providing them adequate background knowledge and synergising the similar sectors

– Effective involvement of NGOs in all developmental activities and promoting up-to-date technique among farmers

– Intensive analysis of data with reference to specific issues of the Basin utilizing the sector concerned and the resource persons

– Learn from the experience of other Countries

ROAD AHEAD

1. Power to review or alter the existing cropping pattern to optimize the water resources allocation in the basin as per priority and requirement.

2. Power to take decisions on water quality problems which are primary concern in Palar basin.

3. Quasi judicial powers to resolve the conflicts in water allocation or pollution and to enforce the decisions made.

4. Power to use the water charges or pollution compensation charges as instruments to manage resources in the basin.

5. Powers to obtain transfer of latest technology in the field of water and land resources by directly associating with the academic and research institutions.

6. Powers to penalize unauthorized / excess drawal by upper reach farmers.

FURTHER POWERS REQUIRED FOR THE BOARD

CONCLUSIONv The object of the presentation to seek your views, comments and guidance

for refining or process.v The stakeholders react enthusiastically to start with.v Their long felt problems suggested are vented freely. But the present rules

and finance stringency do not permit expected progress.v Long awaited refinements like Ground Water Regulation, Rationalization of

Water Cess be effectively passed after the invent the Basin Boards.v The enforcement of rules appear to be easy as the Board Members share

responsibility.v Ownership attitude is created by participatory approach in decision making

process in the Basin Boards.v Speeded up the Historical decision by “Loss of Ecology Commission” to

compensate the loss to agriculturists caused by industrial polluters.v Companies causing pollution and affected community are brought on same

platform in the presence of experts for guidancev When brought on same platform along with the Resources Persons,

pollution causers appreciated problems of stakeholders and promised for immediate action.

v Direct receipt of problems of stakeholders by Board and transformation to resource persons and vice-versa is made easy.

CONCLUSIONv “Strategic Environmental Assessment” started right earnestly and well

responded by stakeholders.v Direct approach of stakeholders as a member in the Basin Board increased

their confidence abundantly. v Recent reorganization of districts for administration reasons caused

conflicts in sharing between districts.v Formation of Basin Boards is helpful in minimizing them. Effectively

deciding the vision and action plan to achieve is felt feasible due to existence of Basin Boards.

The Hurdles felt so far are: i. The sustainability of the organizationii. Creating a communicable language between the stakeholders to

understand the problems faced by the othersiii. Involving the domestic population and local bodies to discipline their

waste disposal habits