Chapter 6: Water Governance

Introduction

Gujarat has historically been a state with limited water resources. Its evolution from a water-scarce to a water-secure condition is a tale in and of itself.

The Transformation:

Because of numerous droughts in Gujarat's western and northern districts, a significant number of people have migrated there.
Every development project in those areas is centred on water management, according to the state and local administration.
 When creating climate-resilient water infrastructure, a drought-proofing element was implemented.
The existing canal system was improved, and plans were for creating a grid that would offer pure tap water free from bacterial and chemical contaminants.
Water was transferred between basins; the most significant of these is the Sujalam Sufalam canal.

Improving agricultural water use efficiency

Farms were encouraged to employ participatory irrigation management (PIM) to maximise water use.
The idea of "per drop more crops" became well-known.
To ensure the success of the rainwater harvesting programme "Catch the Rain Where It Falls," farmers are provided with both financial and technical help.
It was decided to implement the Saurashtra Narmada Avataran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana to transfer extra water from Narmada reservoirs to the Saurashtra region.

Jal Jeevan Mission–Har Ghar Jal

By 2024, every rural family in the nation would have access to tap water, according to the Prime Minister's Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
This objective, which was created in collaboration with the States, was intended to go beyond simply building infrastructure and ensure the supply of long-term assured water services.

Way Ahead:

The efficient use of water resources is crucial for socioeconomic development and economic progress, particularly in desert and drought-prone areas.
The restoration and maintenance of the ecosystem, including flora and fauna, is a fundamental function of water, a scarce resource, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. Its importance for lowering the toll of sickness, enhancing the health, welfare, and productivity of human populations, and maintaining the possibility of other life forms on Earth cannot be understated or overlooked.