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Question
Can you give solutions for the prevailing water disputes in South India?
Solution 1
Dams are meant to mitigate floods and drought by containing water and releasing it as per demand and supply. These days, dams are seen more as hydro power generators. However, in some cases, the price paid to construct a dam, especially in social and environmental terms, becomes too high. Instead of building new dams, we should attend to the underperformance of existing ones. For irrigation purposes, we can revive traditional community-managed networks and recharge underground aquifers through rainwater.
We can use technology and develop adaptive farming techniques. Mathematical models can be developed to estimate the water availability in the river based on the rain estimation of the particular year. For example, if estimation says that there won’t be much rain in the particular year then the farmers can be advised to grow oilseeds, millets, etc. If good rains are predicted then the farmers can grow sugarcane, paddy, etc.
The improper use and management of water also add to the water crisis. Pollution and mining of riverbeds are irreversibly transforming riverine ecosystems. In many regions, excessive groundwater pumping has lowered water tables and worsened the problems. The solution lies in reversing environmental degradation, ensuring equitable allocation of water, and minimizing disputes on the use of rivers. The health of any waterscape is fundamental to the well-being, lives, and livelihoods of communities that depend on it.
Solution 2
1. Construction of check dams:-
In order to prevent surface runoff water during heavy rains. Check dams have to be constructed to regulate the flow of water.
2. Raising of dams:-
Improves the storage capacity, Strengthening the dams is a must.
3. Cleaning of tanks:-
Preventing encroachment by strict legal action, desilting the tanks, and deepening it in the local areas will provide water supply to the locality, as well as to maintain the areas of groundwater level cleaning of tanks is a must
