almost all parts of the globe (Syvitski et al. 2009), such trends having been noted in
the deltas of Ganga (Ramesh et al. 2019), Mahanadi (Bastia and Equeenuddin
2016), Godavari and Krishna (Nageswara Rao et al. 2010). The resulting shoreline
erosion is one of the factors inducing investment into concrete shoreline protection
measures, which have their adverse impacts on the coastal environment.
There has been a renewed interest in revitalizing tank systems to support local
water security. In June 2005, a pilot scheme for the restoration of water bodies was
initiated by the Ministry of Water Resources, which has since been upscaled into a
full-fledged scheme by the title ‘Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water
Bodies’ since the 12th National Plan period to create 2.1 million ha irrigation
potential (GoI 2017). As per data retrieved on RRR dashboard at the time of writing
this chapter, the programme had covered nearly 2300 water bodies in 12 states,
restoring 1.09 km
3 water storage capacity at a total cost of Rs. 19.6 billion.
A midterm analysis of Mission Kakatiya, a programme of Government of Telangana
to restore over 40,000 derelict tanks in the states, has indicated a positive impact on
water availability, groundwater recharge and farm economics (Shah et al. 2017), and
also recognized as good practice by India’s national policy think tank—NITI Aayog.
Similar programmes have also been launched in several other Indian states.
In summary, the supply-side hydrology, which characterized water sector for a
large part of the nineteenth and twentieth century, has tended to overlook the role of
wetlands and, at several instances, in an attempt to ‘develop’ these ecosystems on
the lines of other water resources projects, created several adverse ecological and
socio-economic consequences. Growing neglect of wetlands is reflected in their
extensive conversion, physical modification and pollution. However, the value of
some wetlands such as tanks as freshwater stores is increasingly being realized in
recent times, and efforts are underway for their revival. Some assessments even
indicate the positive impacts on groundwater conditions in southern parts of the
country in response to such measures (Bhanja et al. 2017), when implemented as a
part of broader management measures.
4 Inclusion of Water Management Dimensions
in Wetlands Management
Unlike the water sector, wetlands management is of recent vintage, emerging globally
around the 1950s over concern for the declining population of water birds in Europe
and North America (Gopal 2003). Designating wetlands of high ornithological values
as protected areas under colonial laws, and post-independence, under Indian Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972, was the primary approach for, as can be discerned from the
closure of Vedanthangal, Keoladeo, Khijadiya and Ranganathittu bird sanctuaries or
wilderness areas (Kumar 2019).
India’s ratification of Ramsar Convention in 1982 and creation of the Ministry of
Environment and Forest in 1985 (from a Federal Department of Environment in
114
R. Kumar et al.
the deltas of Ganga (Ramesh et al. 2019), Mahanadi (Bastia and Equeenuddin
2016), Godavari and Krishna (Nageswara Rao et al. 2010). The resulting shoreline
erosion is one of the factors inducing investment into concrete shoreline protection
measures, which have their adverse impacts on the coastal environment.
There has been a renewed interest in revitalizing tank systems to support local
water security. In June 2005, a pilot scheme for the restoration of water bodies was
initiated by the Ministry of Water Resources, which has since been upscaled into a
full-fledged scheme by the title ‘Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water
Bodies’ since the 12th National Plan period to create 2.1 million ha irrigation
potential (GoI 2017). As per data retrieved on RRR dashboard at the time of writing
this chapter, the programme had covered nearly 2300 water bodies in 12 states,
restoring 1.09 km
3 water storage capacity at a total cost of Rs. 19.6 billion.
A midterm analysis of Mission Kakatiya, a programme of Government of Telangana
to restore over 40,000 derelict tanks in the states, has indicated a positive impact on
water availability, groundwater recharge and farm economics (Shah et al. 2017), and
also recognized as good practice by India’s national policy think tank—NITI Aayog.
Similar programmes have also been launched in several other Indian states.
In summary, the supply-side hydrology, which characterized water sector for a
large part of the nineteenth and twentieth century, has tended to overlook the role of
wetlands and, at several instances, in an attempt to ‘develop’ these ecosystems on
the lines of other water resources projects, created several adverse ecological and
socio-economic consequences. Growing neglect of wetlands is reflected in their
extensive conversion, physical modification and pollution. However, the value of
some wetlands such as tanks as freshwater stores is increasingly being realized in
recent times, and efforts are underway for their revival. Some assessments even
indicate the positive impacts on groundwater conditions in southern parts of the
country in response to such measures (Bhanja et al. 2017), when implemented as a
part of broader management measures.
4 Inclusion of Water Management Dimensions
in Wetlands Management
Unlike the water sector, wetlands management is of recent vintage, emerging globally
around the 1950s over concern for the declining population of water birds in Europe
and North America (Gopal 2003). Designating wetlands of high ornithological values
as protected areas under colonial laws, and post-independence, under Indian Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972, was the primary approach for, as can be discerned from the
closure of Vedanthangal, Keoladeo, Khijadiya and Ranganathittu bird sanctuaries or
wilderness areas (Kumar 2019).
India’s ratification of Ramsar Convention in 1982 and creation of the Ministry of
Environment and Forest in 1985 (from a Federal Department of Environment in
114
R. Kumar et al.