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Meetings and Workshops |
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Training Workshop on Understanding and Resolving Water Conflicts in the North East, India |
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23-26 January, 2011; Guwahati (Assam) |
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Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India (Forum to be brief), in collaboration with Aaranyak (Guwahati); Centre for the Environment, IIT ( Guwahati); Arghyam (Bangalore); SaciWATERs-CapNet Network (SCaN) and Cap-Net, organized a Training Workshop on Understanding and Resolving Water Conflicts in the North East, India at Guwahati from 23-26 January 2012.
The workshop was supported by SaciWaters- CapNet Network (SCaN), CapNet and Arghyam.
Nearly 20 participants from different backgrounds participated in this workshop. The resource persons for the workshop were Prof. A.C. Bagabati, Dr. Anamika Barua, Dr. Chandan Mahanta, Prof. D.C. Goswami, Jarjum Ete, Dr. Partha J Das, Rushabh Hemani, Sara Beth Fascitelli, Dr. Nirmal Bhagabati, Dr. Harendra Nath Das, Dr. Indranee Datta, S G. Kashyap and Shyamal Datta.
This training programme was aimed at introducing participants to the basic concepts, debates, theoretical and analytical approaches and emerging issues related to water, water conflicts and their resolution especially in the specific context of the North East.
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Release of the report and panel discussion |
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Life, Livelihoods, Ecosystems, Culture:Entitlements and Allocations of Water for Competing Uses |
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Forum organised a release function and panel discussion on the report ‘Life, Livelihoods, Ecosystems, Culture: Entitlements and Allocation of Water for Competing Uses’ on 16 March 2011 from 4 to 6.30 pm at WWF India Office, New Delhi.
The report is the result of the work of the first of the two groups set up in 2009 by the Forum on two important issues, namely, 1) Water Entitlements and Allocation for Livelihoods and Ecosystem Needs and 2) Institutional and Legal Issues Related to Water Conflict Resolution. We are glad to release this report of the first group comprising K. J. Joy, Priya Sangameshwaran, Shripad Dharmadhikari, A. Latha, Prof. M.K Prasad and K. P. Soma. We hope that this report would provide some inputs into the ongoing process of the review of the National Water Policy. |
Explaining the reason for bringing out the report K. J. Joy of the Forum said that the issue of entitlements and allocations for livelihoods and ecosystem needs has been at the root of most of water related conflicts in India. The report is an attempt at reconciling these competing water uses.
In his inaugurating speech Shri Jairam Ramesh said that the competing water uses, environment protection versus the legitimate needs of a growing population for power and the lack of proper rehabilitation of project affected persons are the main water related conflicts in the country presently. The minister endorsed most of the propositions put forward in the report to resolve the conflicts around competing water uses and the tradeoffs between environment and growth. The minister also cautioned the “environmentalists” against taking one-sided positions against hydro power projects as thermal and nuclear power projects, especially after the recent Japanese experience of earthquake and Tsunami, have serious constraints.
Delivering the keynote address at the function, Dr. Mihir Shah appreciated the efforts of the authors to bring in a nuanced understanding on many of the complex issues confronting the water sector and for bringing in fresh perspectives on many of them. He also stressed the need for bringing in participatory mechanisms for aquifer management and also for deciding on pricing. He also mooted the idea of setting up a National Water Commission to oversee the compliance of the conditionalities that often accompany the sanctions given to various projects. Prof. Ramaswamy Iyer, Navroz Dubash, Vimal Bhai and Rohini Nilekani spoke at the panel discussion that followed the report release. Prof. Vaidyanathan in his concluding remarks argued for a better understanding of the sources of conflicts for any attempts at their resolution to succeed. According to him the ecosystem needs have been a causality so far and only by limiting water use in certain sectors we can provide water for environmental needs. A. Latha welcomed the guests and the audience and Suhas Paranjape provided the vote of thanks.
The report is available at a contributory price of Rs. 100/- from SOPPECOM. Please write to Pratima at soppecom@gmail.com to order a copy. |
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Dr. A. Latha welcoming the guests |
K. J. Joy's introductory remarks about the report
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Report release by Shri Jairam Ramesh |
Inaugural address by Shri Jairam Ramesh |
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Mihir Shah delivering key note address |
Panel discussion |
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Gathering at the programme |
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National Workshop on
Reservoir Operations Model (ROM) And Improved Water Management |
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21st June 2011, Vyapara Bhavan, Chalakudy |
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Organised by
Chalakudy Puzha samrakshana Samithi (Kerala State Centre)
Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India
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Downstream impacts of dams are presently one of the most discussed topics in India. Dam operations especially power generation pattern from hydro power reservoirs decide how much water would be released, in what quantity and at what time to the downstream side. Such flow regulations created by upstream dams are impacting on drinking and irrigation water needs of downstream populations apart from the impact on river ecology and flood plains. Since late 2008, The Kerala State Resource Centre of the Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India has been carrying out an Action Research program in the Chalakudy River Basin in Central Kerala with the broader objective of resolving upstream – downstream conflicts existing in the basin between hydro power and irrigation uses. One of the main objectives of the action research is to develop year round ‘Reservoir Operations Model’ options for the Kerala Sholayar and Poringalkuthu HE projects in the Kerala part of the river basin inclusive of ensuring minimum flows that would synchronise with the needs of the downstream Major irrigation project, the Chalakudy River Diversion Scheme (CRDS).
The Reservoir Operations Model was presented at a National Workshop held on June 21st 2011 at Vyapara Bhavan, Chalakkudy, to seek expert comments, inputs for refinement before a selected audience. Experts from across the country and the State, members of Kerala State Legislative Assembly, Member of Parliament, local self government representatives, and officials from all the concerned departments were invited.
The Introductory session was chaired by Prof. M K Prasad who emphasized the need for changing existing policies and laws if we really wish to preserve our natural resources including rivers. In this session K J Joy from the Forum, explained the work pattern of the forum in the water conflicts sector in India. Dr.A.Latha, Principal Coordinator of the Forum’s work in Kerala briefly presented on the need and significance of River Revival in Chalakudy river basin emphasizing that Reservoir Operations Management is just one of the strategies towards improving flows in the heavily dammed river.
The first session was chaired by Himanshu Thakkar from SANDRP, New Delhi. S.P.Ravi from the CPSS made a detailed presentation of the ROM . Dam re- operation patterns were suggested for the existing main reservoirs, Sholayar and Poringalkuthu HEP operated by Kerala State Electricity Board. The river presently has six dams out of which four are part of Interstate Parambikulam Aliyar Diversion. For Sholayar, a reduced monsoon discharge by 10 – 15 % and non – monsoon discharge to be increased correspondingly was suggested. It was recommended that the present average non-monsoon discharge of 201MCM can be increased to about 230 MCM. The data processing steps were explained. For Poringalkuthu HEP, it was suggested to run the station as base load station at about 24 MW capacity from the present peak load during summer. For the major irrigation project downstream, the altered flows would ensure improvement in 15 cum/ sec with a balance of 2.25 cum/sec to be released into the main river. The suggested ROM after fine tuning based on expert comments is to be presented before policy makers. Steps to seek the support of people’s representatives, LSGs, and public will also be carried out. Improved system and functional efficiency of CRDS is to be assured in a participatory manner.
Expert comments to the presentation were given by Dr.Janakrajan from Madras Institute of Development Studies, Shripad Dharmadhikary from Manthan, Suhas Paranjpye from SOPPECOM and Dr, Indira Devi from Kerala Agricultural University. Himanshu Thakkar summed up the session.
The second session on ‘Improved Water Management’ in CRDS was chaired by Suhas Paranjape. The introduction to the presentation was given by Dr. Latha and detailed presentation made by P. Rajaneesh. It was specifically based upon the exhaustive field level monitoring of the canal and irrigation management in the CRDS. Canal survey and documentation of problems in water management followed by mobilization of farmers and local self governments, farmer level best water management practices documentation, linking up departments and farmers, formation of LSG level water resources management committees was explained in detail. Water In the ongoing third phase, activities to improve water management are being carried out with the cooperation of irrigation department, agricultural department, local self governments and farmers. He pointed out the challenges ahead as to how to ensure continuity of the process and what sort of institutional mechanism would be needed to carry forward.
Everyone appreciated the efforts taken by CPSS to take water to the tail end after more than a decade thanks to the joint efforts of all stakeholders within two years of working in the field. Expert comments to the presentation were given by Dr. George Chakkachery from CWRDM, Dr. Indira Devi and Suhas Paranjape.
Post lunch session, chaired by K J Joy, opened up the floor to the audience. The objective was to seek consensus, develop the model into a public document and to make it ready for advocacy level. In this session, Dr. S Sankar (KFRI), Dr. Bridjith (ARS, Director), Sasilal (State Landuse Board), Dr. Amitabh Bachan, Mohandas, Vinod Goud ( National Steering Committee member of Forum), Shyji Boss ( President Kadukutty GP) , PP Augusty ( member, Kadukutty GP), Chandrasekharan ( Nitta Gelatin Action Council), P K Dharmaraj ( Nilanipu ), KJ Joy and Latha gave comments.
The concluding session was presided by Chalakkudy MLA Sri. B. D. Devassy. S.P Ravi made a presentation of the important recommendations that had emerged from the day’s sessions. The session was inaugurated by the Member of Parliament, Sri. K. P. Dhanapalan. The MP emphasized the need for a policy to conserve our water resources. River Authority should be proposed again and pressurize concerned authorities to implement the same. Every project should be people friendly. He also assured full support to organize a one day workshop is organized for people representatives. BD Devassy told said that society should take up the responsibility to conserve our rivers. Ad. Biju Chirayath, the Chalakkudy Muncipal Councilor added that it is important to change our perspective towards environment. S.Unnikrishnan from CPSS proposed vote of thanks. |
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Gathering at the Workshop |
S. P. Ravi presenting the ROM |
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Training Workshop
UNDERSTANDING AND RESOLVING WATER CONFLICTS IN INDIA |
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18-22 July 2011, Satapada, Chilika Lake, Odisha
Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India (Forum to be brief), in collaboration with Shristi and Odisha State Resource Centre of the Forum, SaciWARERs-CapNet Network (SCaN) and Cap-Net, is organizing a Training Programme on Understanding and Resolving Water Conflicts at Satapada, Chilika Lake, Odisha during 18th to 22nd July, 2011.
The Forum is an effort to bring together people who have an interest to work on water and water conflict related issues. The Forum began its work towards the end of 2004 as a collaborative effort of eight organizations and a few independent researchers and was supported by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). In the first phase of Forum’s work the emphasis was on understanding conflicts and hence the Forum took up extensive documentation of different types of conflicts in the country. The documented case studies have been published as a book – Water Conflicts in India: A Million Revolts in the Making – by Routldge. The present phase of Forum’s work, primarily supported by Arghyam, Bangalore, covers four broad areas of:
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Conflict Documentation |
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Conflict Resolution |
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Conflict Prevention |
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Network and Outreach |
The secretariat of the Forum is housed in the office of Society for Promoting Participative Ecosystem Management (SOPPECOM), Pune. The Forum has also set up two state resource centers – one in Kerala (housed and managed by the Chalakudi Puzha Samrakshan Samiti) and the other one in Odisha (housed and managed by Shrishti on behalf of the Odisha Water Forum). The Forum has recently started documentation of different types of water conflicts in collaboration with Aaranyak. The Forum, in collaboration with Megh Pyne Abhiyan, is also planning document flood induced conflicts in the country. For further details on the forum, log on to http://conflicts.indiawaterportal.org |
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Rationale |
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Understanding conflicts and developing approaches and practical strategies to deal with conflicts is an important aspect of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM). One of the critical issues in IWRM is contending and competing water uses and users and many of the conflicts are also embedded in this. Of course there are also other types of conflicts like conflicts due to dams, submergence and displacement, pollution induced conflicts, conflicts due to privatization and so on. If IWRM has to move forward then we also need to develop capacities of various stakeholders in the water and allied sectors: 1) to understand water in an integrated manner (from an IWRM perspective in terms of crossing disciplinary boundaries of bio-physical sciences as well as various social science boundaries as well as sectoral and institutional boundaries, 2) understand the present institutional and legal set up and see the type of reforms to be initiated at this level, and 3) to bring together various, especially conflicting stakeholders, into a process of knowledge driven dialogue process within the deliberative democratic framework.
Though water conflicts are not necessarily bad or negative, with every conflict the society (and the ecosystems) pays a price. If water conflicts are unresolved there is a strong possibility that all our development efforts might get hampered and further the food security in the country could be seriously compromised. Also, the ecological issues related to the water conflicts are a major concern that needs immediate attention.
One of the pre-conditions for conflict resolution is the ability of the stakeholders to analyse the conflicts in all their complexities and come to a scientific understanding of the issues underpinning the conflicts. It also requires a good understanding of water as a resource and its legal, policy and institutional context. The different stakeholders also should have the necessary skills for a negotiated settlement. It is in this context the present training programme is being organized. |
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Objectives, modules, methods and team of resource persons |
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This training programme is aimed at introducing participants to the basic concepts, debates, theoretical and analytical approaches and emerging issues related to water, water conflicts and their resolution in India.
The training programme will have modules on the following components:
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Understanding water |
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Normative concerns around water |
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Legal and institutional issues related to water |
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Understanding water conflicts in India |
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Conflict resolution: approaches, methods with special emphasis on negotiations and stakeholder dialogue |
The training programme will involve lectures, group discussions, assignments, case studies and interactive sessions with resource persons. A good set of reading material would be made available to the participants prior to the training programme.
The programme will be coordinated by a team of resource persons having considerable experience on theoretical and practical aspects of dealing with water conflicts in different geographies of India. Key members of the team are Prof. S. Janakarajan, Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS), Chennai; K J Joy & Suhas Paranjape, SOPPECOM, Pune; Phillip Cullet, IELRC, New Delhi; A Latha, CPSS, Kerala and Pranab Choudhury, Baitarani Initiative, Odisha. We would also get a few more resource persons.
The programme is designed for middle level / senior level functionaries of NGO / civil society groups and movements, government officials in water resource departments, researchers/teachers from academia, lawyers, media professionals and activists working on water related issues. |
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A Panel discussion at IASC 13th biennial "COMMONS" conference at Hyderabad
10-14 January 2011 | Hyderabad |
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A half day panel discussion for the EU LiveDiverse project was held at 13th IASC biennial "COMMONS" conference in Hyderabad during 10 to 14th January 2011
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LiveDiverse Panel Discussion |
K J Joy presenting at Conference
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| Panel Title: |
| Going beyond Polarised discourse: Integrating Biodiversity and livelihood concerns in Riparian Ecosystems in Developing countries |
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| Panel Chaired by: |
| Panel was chaired by Shri Ashish Kothari, who is founder member of Kalpavriksh, a 30 year old environment research and action group based in Pune. He co-chairs the IUCN inter-commission Strategic Direction on Governance, Equity, Livelihoods and Protected Areas (TILCEPA) and is currently chair of the board of Greenpeace India. |
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| Presentations: |
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| LiveDiverse Stall at "COMMONS" Exhibition: |
On behalf of the partners of LiveDiverse project a stall was booked to exhibit the work of the different partner organizations including publications and also to showcase the work that is being carried out under LiveDiverse projects during 13th Biennial Conference on Commons at Hyderabad in January, 2011.
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| SOPPECOM-LiveDiverse Stall at IASC Exhibition |
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| EU LiveDiverse Project Consortium Meeting
17-21 January 2011 | Kolhapur |
| The third Consortium meeting of the EU- LiveDiverse project was recently held at Kolhapur during 17 to 21 January 2011. The focus of this meeting was mostly on the project updates on all the work packages, to discuss the critical issues and problems and to plan the next phase of the project. The LiveDiverse project partners from various Institutions attended this consortium meeting which by hosted by SOPPECOM. Below is the list of participants attended the meeting. |
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Geoffery Gooch |
Lingkoping University, Sweden |
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Yumiko Yasuda |
University of Dundee, Scotland, UK |
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Dave Huitema |
VU University, The Netherlands |
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Erik Ansink |
VU University, The Netherlands |
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Farhad Mukhtarov |
VU University, The Netherlands |
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Karen Nortje |
Counsil of Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa |
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Marius Claassen |
Counsil of Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa |
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Marco Pastori |
European Commission - Joint Research Centre, Italia |
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Mr. Nguyen Van Toan |
National Institute of Planning and Projection, Vietnam |
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Do Minh Phuong |
National Institute of Planning and Projection, Vietnam |
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Alistair Rieu-Clarke |
University of Dundee, Scotland, UK |
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Armelle Guignier |
University of Dundee, Scotland, UK |
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Ernesto Villalobos |
Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Costa Rica |
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Alexander Lòpez |
Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Costa Rica |
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K J Joy |
SOPPECOM |
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Suhas Paranjape |
SOPPECOM |
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Pratima Medhekar |
SOPPECOM |
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Suchita Jain |
SOPPECOM |
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Vinit Raskar |
SOPPECOM |
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Raju Taywade |
SOPPECOM |
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Kiran Lohakare |
SOPPECOM |
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Participants of the LiveDiverse Project Consortium meeting |
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| EU LiveDiverse Project - Case Study Committee Meeting 18 January 2011 | Kolhapur |
With a view to facilitate an interaction between the members of Case Study Committee (CSC) of Indian CS Area and the visiting partners of the LiveDiverse project from different countries and also to report on the progress of the project SOPPECOM organized a half-a-day meeting on 18th January 2011 at Kolhapur as part of the larger Consortium meeting. In this meeting, SOPPECOM also invited few more persons outside the CSC who have contributed to the project significantly
K J Joy from SOPPECOM introduced the meeting and welcomed the participants. Prof. Geoffrey Gooch made the first introductory presentation. He talked about the project and also discussed briefly about the critical issues in each of four case study areas viz. Ba Be and Na Hang nature reserve (Vietnam), Warana River Basin (India), The Grand Terraba River Basin (Costa Rica) and the Greater Kruger area (South Africa). He defined Vulnerability as ability to manage or ability to cope up with threats. This presentation was followed by the detailed presentations about all the four CS areas by the partners. Also, at last there was a presentation about the future scenario development for each of the CS area.
During this meeting few very crucial issues pertaining to each CS areas were discussed. There was discussion about the Impact of Development on wetlands and involvement of local community in market economy for the case of Costa Rica. There were questions about role of headmen (village chiefs), status of women in community and also the literacy level in the study villages in South Africa. For Vietnam there were queries related to National Park management and the participation of women in community. Also the very important issues like change in Rainfall pattern, salinity and sugarcane, shifting cultivation and the level of participation of state government to the project were discussed about the Indian CS area. At last, Suchita Jain expressed her gratitude to all the invitees and presenters on behalf of SOPPECOM team
The detailed proceedings of the meeting would be posted shortly |
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| National Workshop on
"Water Conflicts in the North East: Issues, Cases and Way Forward"
10-11 December 2010| Guwahati |
The Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India (Forum to be brief) in association with Aaranyak, Gauhati organised a two day national workshop on, “Water Conflicts in the North East: Issues, Cases and Way Forward”, on 10-11 December 2010 at Gauhati. Dr. A. C. Bhagabati, Honorary Coordinator and Head of Division of North Eastern Regional Centre of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and a well known academic, inaugurated the workshop. The workshop was attended by about 50 people including experts, practitioners, civil society researchers from the water sector and journalists. Some of the important names include Prof. Ramaswamy Iyer, Prof. Dulal Chandra Goswami, Profo. S. Janakarajan, Dr. Chandan Mahanta, Ravindranath, Dr. Nimmi Kurien and so on. Most of the case study writers who are involved in documenting various water related conflicts in the North-East as part of Forum and Aaranyak’s efforts to understand the different conflicts in the region also made presentations.
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Dr. A. C. Bhagabati inaugurating
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Participants of the Gawahati workshop |
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The North East has been witnessing different types of water related conflicts especially on issues like hydropower, water quality, bank erosion, floods and so on. There have been also apprehensions about China’s reported intent to divert Brahmaputra waters adding a trans-boundary dimension to the conflicts. There is also a sense of `isolation’ as the issues thrown up by these conflicts do not seem to enter into the `national’ water discourse – a lack of understanding of and sensitivity to these issues in the rest of India. It is in this context the Forum has recently embarked on a new initiative to document selected water related conflicts in the North East. The workshop provided an opportunity discuss the first drafts of these case studies. The workshop also helped in developing an understanding of the broader issues underpinning the water conflicts in the region
A detailed report on the workshop would soon be uploaded on the site |
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