Global water and water in Manipur
- Part 2 -

Dr H Nandiram Sharma *

Loktak Lake in 2010 :: Pix - Bullu Raj

Interdependence of forest and water
Sustenance of forest needs ideal condition of aquifer and surface water. And sustenance of the later two needs forest on the surface.

It plays a vital role in catching and controlled release of water, and recharging aquifer. As for Manipur, water in the valley is sustained by forest and water (surface and aquifer) on the hills. Water of both hills and plain and forest monitor humidity and temperature. All these cohesively act against regional rise of temperature in particular and, global warming and rise of Sea level in general.

South India and four North East states
Why there is no acute shortage of water in South India with lesser rainfall? The answers are –ideal management under a good governance with committed politicians, administrators, social workers and the people.The forest of catchment of rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari,Krishna,Tapti,Kaveri and Tunga Vadra are well protected with political will of conservational steps as per promise in election manifesto. Koorg of Karnataka, the catchement of Kaveri is a vivid example.

Population and aptitude of the people
Some 150 years back, the population of Manipur was not much more than one lakh when the natural resources were bounty. Regeneration and extraction were in balance. The present population as per provisional census,2011 is 27,93,896 with the same primitive habit of living in abundance. Indigenous people are, now, with changed aptitude in struggle for survival and migrants are with hostile aptitude of migratory habit towards forest. For the present, the people of this land are compelled to change their lifestyle so as to live on the profit of capital in nature.

If not the forest is protected to let it regenerate naturally with the boundless regenerative capability of the region and the gigantic rain water is harvested and stored naturally by forest, Manipur may be a part of desertification of 30% of the land of the globe in 2100 as speculated by some investigators.

Human Right to Water, recognised by the UNO, July 2010
- Human right to water for domestic use must be 50-100 litres per person per day
- Water cost should not exceed 3% of the household income
- The water source has to be within 1000 m (i.e 1km) of the house and collection time should not exceed 30 min.

What can be done (Mitigation)
I. To tide over the lean season –March, April and May only 90,000 cubic metres of water are needed, which approximately amount to 10 water reserviours/ponds of dimension of 30m long. 30 m wide and 10 m deep each.

Evenly distributed such water bodies 20 in the valley and 30 in the hilly region at feasible spots of high aquifer level and dependable water shed can successfully meet the annual water demand of the state for domestic use, agriculture, forest and others. Creation of water body in the hilly region is easier and less expensive because it needs only construction of earthern dam across feasible gorges.

II. Protection and raising of forest specially of catchment by way of declaring 'Biosphere Reserve 'catchment of major rivers that water central valley and Loktak be first declared as an educational and conservative measure

III. Recharging of aquifer of forested areas by constructing water bodies and pits of variable dimensions on the forest floor.

IV. While having high potential of enough water on the surface, draining of underground water, the property of generations to come be banned mandatorily.

V. Fuel farming with fast growing trees and bamboos at wasteland and jhum worn spots to check pressure on forest.

VI. Reactivation of 'Reserve Forest Act' passed by Darvar in 1932 and expansion of it constructive way. Amendment of 'Land Laws' to help the process possible and effective.

VII. Construction of terraced fields with financial assistance from the govt. at agreeable terrain to help abandon the aged jhum practice.

VIII Enforcement of Environmental Acts under a good governance.

IX. Encouragement of organic farming to check the contamination of soil and water.

X. Proper management of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.

XI. Establishment of Urban sewage plant.

XII. Proper drainage management of habitated area to help keep the surface water clean.

XIII. Greening by way of protection and plantation.

XIV. Enforcement of total avoidance of forest cutting and burning.

XV. Enforcement of neat and cleanliness.

XVI. Enforcement of mandatory provision of rain water harvesting and storing in newly constructed buildings of govt and public as well.

Concluded ..