Nestle has made some important concessions in recent days regarding its proposed massive water bottling plant in McCloud, CA, indicating that the company is willing to complete more rigorous environmental review than previously promised before building the plant. But, like all large-scale projects, the devil is in the details. We are encouraged that Nestle has asked Siskiyou County to recirculate its Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to include more scientific study and cap the type and amount of water it would extract. Still, we are eager to see the specifics of what will be studied, and how the science will be conducted in the new EIR.
The proposed plant will have undetermined impacts to Squaw Valley Creek and the McCloud River. These spring-fed rivers and streams draw visitors from all over the world to fish their pristine waters for the famous Shasta rainbow trout, and to view the spectacular McCloud River Falls. These resources are an integral part of the region’s current and future economic potential.
We assume that Siskiyou County will support Nestle’s wishes and issue a notice of preparation for the new EIR, which will outline the new scope of the proposed environmental review. We believe an adequate EIR must fully address potential negative impacts on the biological and physical watershed/stream system. It must also offer a comprehensive picture of how quality of life in McCloud would be affected by the facility, including rigorous traffic and air quality studies. The development of pre-project information is necessary for the purpose of evaluating potentially significant impacts of the proposed project, refining our understanding of how the stream system works, and successfully designing mitigation measures.
In addition to the many environmental impacts this plant would have on McCloud and the surrounding area, a new Nestle plant also would affect the economic climate in the area. A November 2007 economic report analyzed the long-term impact of the proposed plant in McCloud and showed that the facility is unlikely to create a significant net gain of long-term, permanent jobs for residents. The independent report was prepared by ECONorthwest, a firm with 30 years experience specializing in economic and financial analysis of public policy.
The report states that the proposed contract between Nestle and the MCSD creates a number of risks for the people of McCloud and Siskiyou County. An analysis of similar plants in other parts of the country showed that such facilities do not appear to be strong engines for local economic growth. The plants do create some jobs, but most of these are production positions with relatively low wages. At the same time, much of what makes a place like McCloud appealing to tourists, entrepreneurs and retirees, and is likely to be lost through the location of a bottling plant in the area.
Another reality is that Nestle is planning to severely under-compensate local residents for their water. The current contract between the corporation and the MCSD states that Nestle will pay only $26.40 per acre-foot for McCloud’s spring water, while current lease rates for water in California run between $80 and $200 per acre-foot. In striking contrast, Nestle and other water bottlers in other parts of the country pay around $1,000 per acre-foot to use municipal water.
So while we are encouraged by the company’s concessions on the environmental review front, we also would like to see a more open conversation about every part of the contract – including the compensation structure, the length of the contract, the size of the proposed plant, and permanent protections against the possibility of future groundwater use. The decisions on how McCloud’s spring waters will be used in the future should be put back into the hands of local residents.
We commend Nestle for being willing to reopen the environmental review process and for acknowledging the community’s concerns. But there is still a long way to go and much work to be done. We hope Nestle follows through. Our most precious resource in the Mount Shasta region is clean, cold spring water. If we decide to allow Nestle to export our water, let's at least make sure that we’re doing it on terms that will benefit the community and protect against long-term environmental degradation.
Written by Debra Anderson, Board Member of the McCloud Watershed Council, Brian Stranko, Chief Executive Officer of California Trout, and Brian J. Johnson, Director of Trout Unlimited’s California Water Project. Together these organizations form the Protect Our Waters Coalition, which was formed to secure the ecological and hydrological integrity of Mt. Shasta’s unique headwaters area for future generations.
मंगलवार, 4 मार्च 2008
Salt Water As Fuel?
Last fall, an Erie, Pennsylvania (USA) man claimed to have used radio waves to liberate hydrogen and oxygen from saltwater. In fact that’s exactly what he did; the real question at hand is one of thermodynamics. Namely did he use more energy than he obtained from the reaction?
Understandably, it’s very easy to be excited about this new discovery; it has the potential to revolutionize the world. Of particular note to the water industry is that this device would use the waste product of desalination operations around the world – highly concentrated salt water. This waste product contains so much salt that it is environmentally irresponsible to return it to the local ocean waters over concerns that the high concentrations of salt would alter the local seawater chemistry. To be able to actually use this waste product, let alone use it to power the societies around our world, would be wonderful.
The concept is not so far removed from another recent discovery, that radio frequencies can be substituted for catalysts in chemical reactions. In fact, many who have seen Mr. Kanzius’ work postulate that what is happening is that the sodium is acting in concert with the radio frequency generator to break the hydrogen-oxygen bonds. Lending believability to these assertions is the fact that the radio frequencies used by Mr. Kanzius are near a harmonic of sodium (13.56 MHz).
The national television networks, and many other news organizations have all carried this story and all show John Kanzius, the man who discovered of this phenomenon, ‘burning’ salt water. What Mr. Kanzius demonstrates in all of these news stories is that salt water, in the presence of radio waves, liberates a combustible gas. In addition to the layman’s version, Mr. Kanzius has met with Dr. Rustum Roy, Professor Emeritus at Penn State University, who is an expert on the structure of water. Dr. Roy confirmed through the use of independent glassware and water samples that Mr. Kanzius’ claims are true. The gases that are liberated are, indeed, hydrogen and oxygen; additionally a small amount of sodium appears to be consumed in the reaction, as well.
According to Dr. Roy, “I visited Mr. Kanzius’ lab in Erie, PA and confirmed for myself the demonstrations which he is seen performing in the original video clip from the Cleveland TV Station. In addition, Mr. Kanzius brought his relatively simple equipment to our (microwave) lab in the Materials Research Lab at Penn State for the day. He explained his work, and the process was demonstrated before some dozen senior faculty and research personnel from various departments using our personnel, chemicals and glassware.”
“It is clear that Mr. Kanzius has demonstrated the ability to dissociate aqueous solutions of sodium chloride at normal sea water concentrations into hydrogen and oxygen. Of course, it is the hydrogen and oxygen (emerging from the water) which are being burned in the video, not the water or NaCl. He has not made any attempt as far as we know to obtain the data regarding the energy balance between input and output. Neither The Pennsylvania State University nor I have any contractual relationship with Mr. Kanzius as of this date”
That sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Simply amazing. Now, though, it is time to put on the skeptic’s hat and ask the question hinted in Dr. Roy’s comments and posed at the beginning of this article: does Mr. Kanzius’ device use energy or produce energy? The radio waves are not free; they require energy to be produced. How much energy they require and how much energy is being produced lie at the crux of the discovery.
According to independent observers, the radio frequency generator consumes approximately 200W while in operation. Dr. Kanzius has commented that his discovery has, at a minimum, achieved unity (that is the energy in is equal to the energy out) and the lab at which it has been tested (APV in Akron, Ohio) claims that it exceeds unity – this would mean that it is a net producer of energy. If this is the case, it could be a revolutionary time in human history.
To validate this discovery, two things must be accomplished:
1. Allow others to reproduce the system from scratch
2. Use these ‘independent’ power cells to verify that the energy balance exceeds unity.
Mr. Kanzius has already approached the US Department of Energy (DOE) with his claims and no doubt they have suggested the same path to him. The US DOE has a vested interest in pursuing alternative energy resources and marrying promising inventions with critical seed funding to get the idea on solid ground. It will be interesting to follow this story in the coming months and see how it continues to develop. Good luck to Mr. Kanzius!
By-Jay-Z
Understandably, it’s very easy to be excited about this new discovery; it has the potential to revolutionize the world. Of particular note to the water industry is that this device would use the waste product of desalination operations around the world – highly concentrated salt water. This waste product contains so much salt that it is environmentally irresponsible to return it to the local ocean waters over concerns that the high concentrations of salt would alter the local seawater chemistry. To be able to actually use this waste product, let alone use it to power the societies around our world, would be wonderful.
The concept is not so far removed from another recent discovery, that radio frequencies can be substituted for catalysts in chemical reactions. In fact, many who have seen Mr. Kanzius’ work postulate that what is happening is that the sodium is acting in concert with the radio frequency generator to break the hydrogen-oxygen bonds. Lending believability to these assertions is the fact that the radio frequencies used by Mr. Kanzius are near a harmonic of sodium (13.56 MHz).
The national television networks, and many other news organizations have all carried this story and all show John Kanzius, the man who discovered of this phenomenon, ‘burning’ salt water. What Mr. Kanzius demonstrates in all of these news stories is that salt water, in the presence of radio waves, liberates a combustible gas. In addition to the layman’s version, Mr. Kanzius has met with Dr. Rustum Roy, Professor Emeritus at Penn State University, who is an expert on the structure of water. Dr. Roy confirmed through the use of independent glassware and water samples that Mr. Kanzius’ claims are true. The gases that are liberated are, indeed, hydrogen and oxygen; additionally a small amount of sodium appears to be consumed in the reaction, as well.
According to Dr. Roy, “I visited Mr. Kanzius’ lab in Erie, PA and confirmed for myself the demonstrations which he is seen performing in the original video clip from the Cleveland TV Station. In addition, Mr. Kanzius brought his relatively simple equipment to our (microwave) lab in the Materials Research Lab at Penn State for the day. He explained his work, and the process was demonstrated before some dozen senior faculty and research personnel from various departments using our personnel, chemicals and glassware.”
“It is clear that Mr. Kanzius has demonstrated the ability to dissociate aqueous solutions of sodium chloride at normal sea water concentrations into hydrogen and oxygen. Of course, it is the hydrogen and oxygen (emerging from the water) which are being burned in the video, not the water or NaCl. He has not made any attempt as far as we know to obtain the data regarding the energy balance between input and output. Neither The Pennsylvania State University nor I have any contractual relationship with Mr. Kanzius as of this date”
That sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Simply amazing. Now, though, it is time to put on the skeptic’s hat and ask the question hinted in Dr. Roy’s comments and posed at the beginning of this article: does Mr. Kanzius’ device use energy or produce energy? The radio waves are not free; they require energy to be produced. How much energy they require and how much energy is being produced lie at the crux of the discovery.
According to independent observers, the radio frequency generator consumes approximately 200W while in operation. Dr. Kanzius has commented that his discovery has, at a minimum, achieved unity (that is the energy in is equal to the energy out) and the lab at which it has been tested (APV in Akron, Ohio) claims that it exceeds unity – this would mean that it is a net producer of energy. If this is the case, it could be a revolutionary time in human history.
To validate this discovery, two things must be accomplished:
1. Allow others to reproduce the system from scratch
2. Use these ‘independent’ power cells to verify that the energy balance exceeds unity.
Mr. Kanzius has already approached the US Department of Energy (DOE) with his claims and no doubt they have suggested the same path to him. The US DOE has a vested interest in pursuing alternative energy resources and marrying promising inventions with critical seed funding to get the idea on solid ground. It will be interesting to follow this story in the coming months and see how it continues to develop. Good luck to Mr. Kanzius!
By-Jay-Z
Water Use and Management in Rajasthan-2
The issue of drought and its implications
It is in the context of the changing demand on the use of water and its implications on livelihood that the issue of drought needs to be seen. Earlier as seen a substantial portion depended on pastoralism and the forests. Obviously the impact of drought on such population is quite different. On the one hand the feudal rulers spent a good amount of their revenue on construction of water harvesting structures apart from construction of palaces etc. This was a drought management mechanism. On the other hand cattle were transported to areas of relative plenty, to take advantage of the relative surplus in the fodder regimes. Such transportation was not a free for all. Systems of tax regimes, entry passes existed. The Maharaja of Jodhpur for instance had to intimate the ruler of Ajmer, when his subjects would be coming to graze in Ajmer.
The increase in productivity after the green revolution and the deepening of commodity relationships has changed the concept of drought and its management.
1. Drought relief work has been taken up with a view to provide cash / grain to the affected population. While the famine deaths took place in certain parts of the state, in general drought relief has provided the required relief in terms of mitigating lost incomes. The development of the transport system has meant that water has been supplied by tankers and where there has been widespread shortage in a region like Bhilwara, Pali, by train. Fodder requirements have been met by transport subsidy. In Jaisalmer for instance, this has become a regular feature of the economy. However the fodder required by goats and sheep have been inadequately met and culling has been the major option taken recourse to during drought. A similar culling is seen in cattle which reflects their uneconomic nature if left to depend on the cash economy (as against the free grazing regime).
2. Efforts to ensure sustainability of the work, is reflected in watershed management projects which have been funded by various sources namely DDP, DPAP, IWDP, NWDPRA. A total of 8,000 watersheds have been developed in this way across the state covering 50,00,000 has. The evaluation studies show that 5-20% increase in productivity has been achieved, as also the increase in water recharge and its consequent use through irrigation. However despite this, the entire livelihood needs of the entire population cannot be met and wage labour is an important component.
3. The role of mining, particular in the eco-sensitive region of the Aravalis which is the dividing line between the rest of India and the desert, have led to the depletion of the water tables on the one hand, clogging of the pathways to the water bodies on the other as in Rajsamand and depletion of the ground water in the influence zone of the mine. With mining industry taking recourse to automatic machines, the traditional plea of providing jobs is slowly vanishing, resulting in an increased stridency by farmers who face double whammy (loss of employment from agriculture due to depletion of the water table and loss of potential alternative job opportunities). In Jaisalmer, the destruction of the upper catchment areas for mining has led to a depletion of water in the beris and moisture regime in khadins below resulting in reduced output from the khadins.
Conclusions
The issue of water scarcity and its management is reaching critical proportions in Rajasthan. Despite this the problems are papered over in good years to surface with a vengeance in bad years. The details of the stored water surface and ground water, indicate that the reserves are being depleted which is likely to affect the resilience factor. Traditional coping mechanisms have been destroyed.
Various suggestions have been propounded to deal with the issue. These suggestions rely on the following
1. centralized command and control system
2. price mechanism as reflected in the price of electricity
3. registration
The suggestion has been examined in detail and it is clear that even while they do not directly control the use of water, they lend themselves to (mis)use by a few. The demands of urbanization and industrialization (plans for resurgent Rajasthan being part of them), would mean that people in general are expected to do the conservation, while there will be unlimited supply of water for industry (benefiting whom?).
In the context of surplus production of foodgrain in the irrigated pockets of the country as also the State, the aggressive promotion of biofuel (as a dryland crop?) is likely to turn the whole economics of production and consumption upside down. This is again to fuel the consumption driven economy in the same manner as water consumption has increased. An IWMI study shows that this promotion of biofuels is likely to further aggravate the demand for water.
The issue of a multistakeholder mechanism of governance needs to be evolved on the basis of concrete water balance studies. Various efforts are taking place in this direction. SPWD is also engaged in understanding the issues related to water governance in three states and six river basins.
Viren Lobo
Programme director
SPWD
It is in the context of the changing demand on the use of water and its implications on livelihood that the issue of drought needs to be seen. Earlier as seen a substantial portion depended on pastoralism and the forests. Obviously the impact of drought on such population is quite different. On the one hand the feudal rulers spent a good amount of their revenue on construction of water harvesting structures apart from construction of palaces etc. This was a drought management mechanism. On the other hand cattle were transported to areas of relative plenty, to take advantage of the relative surplus in the fodder regimes. Such transportation was not a free for all. Systems of tax regimes, entry passes existed. The Maharaja of Jodhpur for instance had to intimate the ruler of Ajmer, when his subjects would be coming to graze in Ajmer.
The increase in productivity after the green revolution and the deepening of commodity relationships has changed the concept of drought and its management.
1. Drought relief work has been taken up with a view to provide cash / grain to the affected population. While the famine deaths took place in certain parts of the state, in general drought relief has provided the required relief in terms of mitigating lost incomes. The development of the transport system has meant that water has been supplied by tankers and where there has been widespread shortage in a region like Bhilwara, Pali, by train. Fodder requirements have been met by transport subsidy. In Jaisalmer for instance, this has become a regular feature of the economy. However the fodder required by goats and sheep have been inadequately met and culling has been the major option taken recourse to during drought. A similar culling is seen in cattle which reflects their uneconomic nature if left to depend on the cash economy (as against the free grazing regime).
2. Efforts to ensure sustainability of the work, is reflected in watershed management projects which have been funded by various sources namely DDP, DPAP, IWDP, NWDPRA. A total of 8,000 watersheds have been developed in this way across the state covering 50,00,000 has. The evaluation studies show that 5-20% increase in productivity has been achieved, as also the increase in water recharge and its consequent use through irrigation. However despite this, the entire livelihood needs of the entire population cannot be met and wage labour is an important component.
3. The role of mining, particular in the eco-sensitive region of the Aravalis which is the dividing line between the rest of India and the desert, have led to the depletion of the water tables on the one hand, clogging of the pathways to the water bodies on the other as in Rajsamand and depletion of the ground water in the influence zone of the mine. With mining industry taking recourse to automatic machines, the traditional plea of providing jobs is slowly vanishing, resulting in an increased stridency by farmers who face double whammy (loss of employment from agriculture due to depletion of the water table and loss of potential alternative job opportunities). In Jaisalmer, the destruction of the upper catchment areas for mining has led to a depletion of water in the beris and moisture regime in khadins below resulting in reduced output from the khadins.
Conclusions
The issue of water scarcity and its management is reaching critical proportions in Rajasthan. Despite this the problems are papered over in good years to surface with a vengeance in bad years. The details of the stored water surface and ground water, indicate that the reserves are being depleted which is likely to affect the resilience factor. Traditional coping mechanisms have been destroyed.
Various suggestions have been propounded to deal with the issue. These suggestions rely on the following
1. centralized command and control system
2. price mechanism as reflected in the price of electricity
3. registration
The suggestion has been examined in detail and it is clear that even while they do not directly control the use of water, they lend themselves to (mis)use by a few. The demands of urbanization and industrialization (plans for resurgent Rajasthan being part of them), would mean that people in general are expected to do the conservation, while there will be unlimited supply of water for industry (benefiting whom?).
In the context of surplus production of foodgrain in the irrigated pockets of the country as also the State, the aggressive promotion of biofuel (as a dryland crop?) is likely to turn the whole economics of production and consumption upside down. This is again to fuel the consumption driven economy in the same manner as water consumption has increased. An IWMI study shows that this promotion of biofuels is likely to further aggravate the demand for water.
The issue of a multistakeholder mechanism of governance needs to be evolved on the basis of concrete water balance studies. Various efforts are taking place in this direction. SPWD is also engaged in understanding the issues related to water governance in three states and six river basins.
Viren Lobo
Programme director
SPWD
Water Use and Management in Rajasthan-1
With 10% of India’s land area 5.6% of the population and less than 2% of the water. Rajasthan offers a unique set of ecosystems for us to understand. This water distribution is not uniform with 60% of the land concentrated in the desert districts receiving about 40 % of the precipitation water and the remaining 40% area getting 60% of the precipitation. The Aravallis form the dividing line for the above. In terms of river basins also 14 river basins fall east of the Aravallis and the rest of the region divided into an undefined river basin of the desert.
The water systems of the desert are quite different from the rest of Rajasthan. Pastoralism has formed the mainstay of these economies. It is no wonder that Raja Ganga Singh had to invite the Sikhs from Punjab to colonise the desert after the Gang canal was brought to Bikaner. The desert primarily depended on the trade routes falling between Afghanistan and Gujarat on one hand and current Pakistan and rest of India on the other. The arrival of the Paliwals in Jaisalmer resulted in the construction Khadins that heralded the development of systematic agricultural production in the desert.
In Udaipur due to hilly and forested region only the plains were cultivated as also the valley bottoms. With agriculture not developed, the tribal regions were distinguished by the following:
- Slash and burn cultivation
- Dependence on forest produce – roots , tubers etc
- The system of begar on the land of the Thakur was common right upto independence and beyond.
Udaipur in particular as also other districts are pocked marked with water harvesting structures designed by the ruler as part of relief work on one hand, to provide water for game animals and strategic conditions on the other. However a number of them served as irrigation sources and met the drinking water requirements for animals.
In Bharatpur, a series of shallow dams were constructed below to provide irrigation water. The agricultural practices of this region were transformed as a result.
Though the technology for blasting existed 100 years back, the wells could not be deepened below 100 feet, it was only with the technology for blasting provided by the tractor that resulted in wells reaching 200ft depth. Drilling rigs have resulted in the drilling of tube wells well below 500 feet. Irrigation was therefore primarily in the form of surface flows. The prime source of water was surface water, though in place like Jaisalmer etc, sub surface water storage existed. In Udaipur the well zone was know as Sehja (Shallow aquifer). The surface storage structure in some places became renowned for a number of activities. Pushkar Lake near Ajmer is famous for its cattle fair. Beneshwar Triveni (meeting of three rivers, Gomti, Jakham and Som Kamla Amba to form Mahi) also hosts a tribal fair once every year.
Division of India, New technology and its implications for water management
With the division of the country, strategic considerations warranted that the border be secure, hence plan to extend the Gang canal across the border of Rajasthan. Some of the current issues with relation to the conflicting demands on water being placed on the canal need to be seen in this light. There was also an element of providing livelihood to Pong dam oustees as also rehabilitating ousted people in Rajasthan itself. The consequences of uprooting people from their traditional livelihood and placing in unfamiliar terrain and setting was not foreseen, the result is that the land passed into the hands of others. On the other hand the pasturelands of the desert were converted into agricultural lands.
The green revolution technology which began in early 70s has considerably increased water usage due to the fact that on one hand cropping intensity has increased, while on the other hand the use of fertilizers necessitates the use of water to achieve the full productivity potential. This development is in pockets. The average productivity of Rajasthan is less than a fourth of that of Punjab, nevertheless water usage as gone up considerably.
The introduction of the drilling and blasting technology as mentioned above coupled with the pump set and cheap electricity ( electric connections were provided in a big way between late70s and early 90s ) transformed the way ground water could be used . Agriculture in Sikar and Jhunjunu got transformed, with the traditional dryland farming by the Jats getting converted into prime agricultural land. Similar transformations took place in Alwar, parts of Pali, Jodhpur, parts of Bhilwara etc. The deep bores resulted in at least double cropping on one hand and removed the dependence on rainfall on the other (though it is resulting in depletion of the water table on a state wide scale which is a matter of serious concern the areas where ground water has reached critical proportions has crossed 80%) In Udaipur however due to the unique hydro-geological conditions which have poor permeability, water harvesting is through wells and is still dependent on the annual recharge pattern.
The peculiarities of the rock structure and aquifers also need to be studied in the context of the exploitation of ground water with large number of failed tube wells and increased indebtedness of farmers on this count. Indebtedness on account of well construction/ well deepening is also a major phenomenon in Southern Rajasthan. Study in Jaisamand catchment area show that loans for wells account for over a third of the loans and over 70% of the productive loans taken.
Recently there has been considerable concern over the increase of fluoride contamination. While historical details of this issue are not available, it can be said that the increase is over the last 10- 15 years or so (though perhaps not as dramatic as the data indicates). This has some relation with the depletion of the ground water, though the peculiarities of the rock structure are the main determinant.
Industrial development has also resulted in considerable pressure on water resources, both in terms of quality as well as in quantity. While industries per se may not be consuming all the water, the related developed of secondary and tertiary occupations and expansion of the urbanization combine to cause a considerable drain on both surface and ground water resources. Water is being increasingly sourced from the rural areas to meet this burgeoning demand resulting in the depletion of the natural resources particularly water and forests. The later being the catchment area and source of springs, wells etc
Urban development has not followed local specific criteria for water resource development and the provision of easily accessible tap water in certain locations, watering of lawns, development of water parks; fountains etc contribute to a considerable wastage of water on one hand while at the same time destroying the cultural ethos around water conservation on the other. The cultural ethic of pay and enjoy the facility is being promoted along with commercialization of water, with scant regard for its availability. Ultimately it is the poor and marginalized who have to pay, waiting for long hours at hand pumps which draw limited quantities of water of indifferent quality. The tradition of bawdies, water and other urban water sources has fallen into disuse. In Udaipur for instance out of around 100 bawdies hardly any are functional.
The water systems of the desert are quite different from the rest of Rajasthan. Pastoralism has formed the mainstay of these economies. It is no wonder that Raja Ganga Singh had to invite the Sikhs from Punjab to colonise the desert after the Gang canal was brought to Bikaner. The desert primarily depended on the trade routes falling between Afghanistan and Gujarat on one hand and current Pakistan and rest of India on the other. The arrival of the Paliwals in Jaisalmer resulted in the construction Khadins that heralded the development of systematic agricultural production in the desert.
In Udaipur due to hilly and forested region only the plains were cultivated as also the valley bottoms. With agriculture not developed, the tribal regions were distinguished by the following:
- Slash and burn cultivation
- Dependence on forest produce – roots , tubers etc
- The system of begar on the land of the Thakur was common right upto independence and beyond.
Udaipur in particular as also other districts are pocked marked with water harvesting structures designed by the ruler as part of relief work on one hand, to provide water for game animals and strategic conditions on the other. However a number of them served as irrigation sources and met the drinking water requirements for animals.
In Bharatpur, a series of shallow dams were constructed below to provide irrigation water. The agricultural practices of this region were transformed as a result.
Though the technology for blasting existed 100 years back, the wells could not be deepened below 100 feet, it was only with the technology for blasting provided by the tractor that resulted in wells reaching 200ft depth. Drilling rigs have resulted in the drilling of tube wells well below 500 feet. Irrigation was therefore primarily in the form of surface flows. The prime source of water was surface water, though in place like Jaisalmer etc, sub surface water storage existed. In Udaipur the well zone was know as Sehja (Shallow aquifer). The surface storage structure in some places became renowned for a number of activities. Pushkar Lake near Ajmer is famous for its cattle fair. Beneshwar Triveni (meeting of three rivers, Gomti, Jakham and Som Kamla Amba to form Mahi) also hosts a tribal fair once every year.
Division of India, New technology and its implications for water management
With the division of the country, strategic considerations warranted that the border be secure, hence plan to extend the Gang canal across the border of Rajasthan. Some of the current issues with relation to the conflicting demands on water being placed on the canal need to be seen in this light. There was also an element of providing livelihood to Pong dam oustees as also rehabilitating ousted people in Rajasthan itself. The consequences of uprooting people from their traditional livelihood and placing in unfamiliar terrain and setting was not foreseen, the result is that the land passed into the hands of others. On the other hand the pasturelands of the desert were converted into agricultural lands.
The green revolution technology which began in early 70s has considerably increased water usage due to the fact that on one hand cropping intensity has increased, while on the other hand the use of fertilizers necessitates the use of water to achieve the full productivity potential. This development is in pockets. The average productivity of Rajasthan is less than a fourth of that of Punjab, nevertheless water usage as gone up considerably.
The introduction of the drilling and blasting technology as mentioned above coupled with the pump set and cheap electricity ( electric connections were provided in a big way between late70s and early 90s ) transformed the way ground water could be used . Agriculture in Sikar and Jhunjunu got transformed, with the traditional dryland farming by the Jats getting converted into prime agricultural land. Similar transformations took place in Alwar, parts of Pali, Jodhpur, parts of Bhilwara etc. The deep bores resulted in at least double cropping on one hand and removed the dependence on rainfall on the other (though it is resulting in depletion of the water table on a state wide scale which is a matter of serious concern the areas where ground water has reached critical proportions has crossed 80%) In Udaipur however due to the unique hydro-geological conditions which have poor permeability, water harvesting is through wells and is still dependent on the annual recharge pattern.
The peculiarities of the rock structure and aquifers also need to be studied in the context of the exploitation of ground water with large number of failed tube wells and increased indebtedness of farmers on this count. Indebtedness on account of well construction/ well deepening is also a major phenomenon in Southern Rajasthan. Study in Jaisamand catchment area show that loans for wells account for over a third of the loans and over 70% of the productive loans taken.
Recently there has been considerable concern over the increase of fluoride contamination. While historical details of this issue are not available, it can be said that the increase is over the last 10- 15 years or so (though perhaps not as dramatic as the data indicates). This has some relation with the depletion of the ground water, though the peculiarities of the rock structure are the main determinant.
Industrial development has also resulted in considerable pressure on water resources, both in terms of quality as well as in quantity. While industries per se may not be consuming all the water, the related developed of secondary and tertiary occupations and expansion of the urbanization combine to cause a considerable drain on both surface and ground water resources. Water is being increasingly sourced from the rural areas to meet this burgeoning demand resulting in the depletion of the natural resources particularly water and forests. The later being the catchment area and source of springs, wells etc
Urban development has not followed local specific criteria for water resource development and the provision of easily accessible tap water in certain locations, watering of lawns, development of water parks; fountains etc contribute to a considerable wastage of water on one hand while at the same time destroying the cultural ethos around water conservation on the other. The cultural ethic of pay and enjoy the facility is being promoted along with commercialization of water, with scant regard for its availability. Ultimately it is the poor and marginalized who have to pay, waiting for long hours at hand pumps which draw limited quantities of water of indifferent quality. The tradition of bawdies, water and other urban water sources has fallen into disuse. In Udaipur for instance out of around 100 bawdies hardly any are functional.
शनिवार, 1 मार्च 2008
"Water - Safe Sustainable and For All": A design competition for students of architecture and design.
Click here to download the high resolution Poster (640 KB)
Arghyam and India Water Portal are promoting this design competition with the objective of increasing awareness on the important issue of water as a resources that needs to be conserved and on the role that architects and designers could play in ensuring the same through their designs.
DESIGN COMPETITION
Click here to download the competition brief (1.4 MB)
To register visit: http://www.ethosindia.in/water/index.html
Reasearch Resources:
Rainwater Harvesting: http://www.indiawaterportal.org/tt/rwh has a huge amount of material to help you understand rainwater harvesting. There are many websites for Rainwater Harvesting, two notable ones are:
http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org
http://www.rainwaterclub.org
Climate Data: Would you like to incorporate the rainfall pattern in your area into the design ? http://www.indiawaterportal.org/data/metdata has rainfall information for all of India for the past 100 years.
To learn more about Urban Water and the issues therein : http://www.indiawaterportal.org/tt/urban
To learn more about Sanitation, an integral part of Water management, go to
http://www.indiawaterportal.org/tt/sani
Do you know about Ecosan ?
Discussion Forum: Discuss the design competition. Share your comments, ask questions, see what others are saying.
http://www.indiawaterportal.org/Network/forum/viewforum.php?f=8
Please note that the above list of resources is only a partial guide. We do not insist that you implement the concepts mentioned and we would like you to explore a wide range of ideas and design concepts beyond those mentioned here.
Arghyam and India Water Portal are promoting this design competition with the objective of increasing awareness on the important issue of water as a resources that needs to be conserved and on the role that architects and designers could play in ensuring the same through their designs.
DESIGN COMPETITION
Click here to download the competition brief (1.4 MB)
To register visit: http://www.ethosindia.in/water/index.html
Reasearch Resources:
Rainwater Harvesting: http://www.indiawaterportal.org/tt/rwh has a huge amount of material to help you understand rainwater harvesting. There are many websites for Rainwater Harvesting, two notable ones are:
http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org
http://www.rainwaterclub.org
Climate Data: Would you like to incorporate the rainfall pattern in your area into the design ? http://www.indiawaterportal.org/data/metdata has rainfall information for all of India for the past 100 years.
To learn more about Urban Water and the issues therein : http://www.indiawaterportal.org/tt/urban
To learn more about Sanitation, an integral part of Water management, go to
http://www.indiawaterportal.org/tt/sani
Do you know about Ecosan ?
Discussion Forum: Discuss the design competition. Share your comments, ask questions, see what others are saying.
http://www.indiawaterportal.org/Network/forum/viewforum.php?f=8
Please note that the above list of resources is only a partial guide. We do not insist that you implement the concepts mentioned and we would like you to explore a wide range of ideas and design concepts beyond those mentioned here.
रविवार, 14 अक्टूबर 2007
Notice to Coca-Cola for 'contaminating wells'
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Pollution Control Board has issued a notice to the Coca-Cola unit at Plachimada in Palakkad district asking it to show cause why a criminal case should not be filed against it for polluting the environment. The notice recalled that the company had sold solid waste from the plant as fertilizer to local farmers and this had caused contamination of soil from heavy metals such as cadmium. The water in nearby wells was also polluted.The convenor of the Plachimada Solidarity Council, R. Ajayan said this was the first time that criminal prosecution was being contemplated against a company for contaminating the environment, after the Bhopal tragedy. This gave confidence to those who were agitating against the company for the past 2,000 days. Mr. Ajayan demanded that steps should be initiated for proper assessment of the damage so that the victims of pollution could get compensation.
बुधवार, 10 अक्टूबर 2007
Meeting the challenge: River pollution
New Delhi,
November 13-16, 2007
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Indian rivers are under serious threat from spiralling urbanisation and industrialisation. This situation has arisen despite the huge investments made by subsequent governments in cleaning them up. As a result, our survival -- and that of rivers -- is at stake.Numerous questions come to the mind in such a scenario: Why are India’s rivers dying? Why haven’t river cleaning programmes worked? How will urban development plans like Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission impact rivers? Have common effluent treatment plants been able to address the issue of industrial wastewater management? Can our rivers be cleaned? As citizens, do we possess the right to have clean rivers?Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) invites applications and nominations for its training programme ‘Meeting the challenge: River pollution’, which attempts to answer these and other related questions. All in the course of four action-packed days.We also need to address the enormous challenge of water pollution caused primarily by human waste. There is an urgent need to switch from the current paradigm of capital, water and material intensive processes of waste management to a more cost effective, non-sewerage paradigm of human waste disposal.
:Activists, NGO representatives, researchers, writers and communicators, policy makers, students, citizens… in short, anyone interested in fighting for our rivers.
.
COURSE WILL HELP YOU:
Understand river pollution in India: how unclean are our rivers, why, and what is their present state doing to us? What has been the impact of the national river cleaning programme?
Recognise the impact of urbanisation and urban development programmes on rivers -- learn to critically assess city development plans
Gain an insight into the ‘political economy’ of water and sewage
Understand water quality monitoring and assessment
Gauge the performance of common effluent treatment plants for industrial wastewater management
Learn about the laws, regulations and judicial interventions for fighting river pollution and polluters in courts
Develop effective research and communication strategies for your work on rivers
Prepare alternate strategies and methods for river pollution control -- water-efficient homes, decentralised wastewater systems, safe reuse of treated effluents, etc.
Plan and design wastewater treatment units at the colony/residence levels
COURSE WILL HELP YOU:
Understand river pollution in India: how unclean are our rivers, why, and what is their present state doing to us? What has been the impact of the national river cleaning programme?
Recognise the impact of urbanisation and urban development programmes on rivers -- learn to critically assess city development plans
Gain an insight into the ‘political economy’ of water and sewage
Understand water quality monitoring and assessment
Gauge the performance of common effluent treatment plants for industrial wastewater management
Learn about the laws, regulations and judicial interventions for fighting river pollution and polluters in courts
Develop effective research and communication strategies for your work on rivers
Prepare alternate strategies and methods for river pollution control -- water-efficient homes, decentralised wastewater systems, safe reuse of treated effluents, etc.
Plan and design wastewater treatment units at the colony/residence levels
.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Classroom lectures by noted river pollution experts from CSE and other institutions/organisations
Comprehensive reading and reference material
Access to CSE’s state-of-the-art resource centre and library
Site visits, river yatras and boat rides
Practicals and do-it-yourself sessions
Film screenings
Communication workshops
HIGHLIGHTS:
Classroom lectures by noted river pollution experts from CSE and other institutions/organisations
Comprehensive reading and reference material
Access to CSE’s state-of-the-art resource centre and library
Site visits, river yatras and boat rides
Practicals and do-it-yourself sessions
Film screenings
Communication workshops
Industry and government: Rs 8,800/- per participant
50 % discount for NGOs: Rs 4,400/-
Special discount for students: Rs 1,100/-. :
The course fee is payable in advance by demand draft or cheque drawn in favour of ‘Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi’. It includes all charges for site visits, training and related material, and lunch and refreshments during the course of the programme.
Accommodation and related costsare not included in the fee. However, CSE can help you find a place to stay. For that please contact us before October 25, 2007.
V Suresh Babu
River Pollution Unit
CSE, 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi-62
Phone: +91-11-29955124/125, 29956394
Extension: 267 or 236
Mobile: 098189 97999
Fax: +91 (011) 29955879
E-mail: svsuresh@cseindia.org
plz see site -http://www.cseindia.org/aagc/riverpollution.htm#modules
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