D K MANAVALAN IAS - Exe. Director Action For Food Production (AFPRO)

November 16, 2005

What is the significance of theme of this conference, "Mainstreaming Rainwater Harvesting?"
Mainstreaming implies bringing awareness amongst people, who hold right over resources.

For instance, in Indian constitution, rights over water rest with Panchayats. Panchayats hold authority to direct usage of water. However, it is anyone's guess that how much government supports them, what kind of technology transfer takes place to strengthen Panchayat's right over water. So, first step of mainstreaming indicates empowering Panchayats to effectively exercise their right on water resources.

If we go step by step, then mainstreaming implies capacity building, providing resources, bringing lower cost technologies & effective use of water.

What is the role of AFPRO( Action For Food Production) in mainstreaming rain water?
AFPRO started as a technical organization & later adopted a dual role of socio technical organization. We undertake capacity building for village community to use water effectively, manage rain water harvesting structures, implement organic farming, development of land, generate livelihood. We undertake research, develop models & hand them to stakeholders including government & NGOs. We provided technical support to peoples like Anna Hazare & Rajendra Singh, Magsassy award winner.

In India most of the technical support for rain water harvesting programmes is provided by AFPRO. People whom we trained now work in various international organizations.

What is the geographical focus of AFPRO?
Though, we have a staff of around 150, we have nation wide reach. When any organization calls us, we visit that area & provide our support for water harvesting & water management.

India requires 100 AFPRO at present to resolve water crisis. There is no fund crisis either. Government has money; it only needs to be given to appropriate people.

How rain water harvesting helps bring up an equitable & just social structure?
Rain water harvesting is a unique way of distributing water to poor. Distribution of water between rural & urban areas is highly inequitable. By adopting low cost technologies, rural consumption of water can increase more than two times.

What are the spill over benefits of rain water harvesting?
It preserves top soil, generates bio mass. RWH ensures that rain water does not run off & top soil is preserved. Green cover comes up, which becomes a shield for water

Land gets fertilized, more trees can be grown, oxygen content goes up in air, pollution decreases. More importantly, when rural area rejuvenates, livelihood options become available in villages & migration stops.

Unbelievably, it brings down cases of HIV AIDS as most instances of HIV infection occur due to migration of population. RWH further brings a spiritual ambience to society. When a person gains adequate health & nutrition, which again emerges from good livelihood, his world view changes & he feels a better human being.

How does RWH structure in rural area differ from an urban one?
AFPRO at present does not work in urban areas, though we have capacity to work. In rural areas, ridge to valley approach is adopted. Water percolation is required to recharge the system. Roof water harvesting, which may be very useful in urban areas has no meaning in villages as thatched roofs of huts cannot hold water.

Therefore, in villages it is ensured that rain water percolates in earth system to recharge ground water. Water harvesting in villages also enhances the land as rain water does not run off & remain in villages only increasing forest cover. This forest cover prevents loss of water due to evaporation. In a Tropical country like India, maximum amount of water loss is through evaporation, which is effectively checked through RWH.

Is there any specific mechanism for RWH in industrial area?
Industrial unit is a built up area. RWH in such units can be done from roofs, which recharges ground water level.

What legal & policy framework is required to facilitate spread of RWH mechanism?
Right now, constitution schedules Panchayat's right over water, but they are unaware of their rights. Interestingly, not single public interest litigation is filed to enforce government to facilitate exercise of this right. Money needs to be passed to Panchayats. In rural areas, government money is given to contractors, who siphon off the funds. Such trends must be checked & policy framework is needed to train & educate people at village level.

- Ashutosh Bhardwaj