Case6-March-2014

Workshop on Climate Change and Role of Water Managers
Venkatesan N

DHAN Foundation, coordinator, South zone India Water Partnership organised a Round Table workshop on Climate Change and Role of Water Managers in the eve of celebrating World Water day on 22nd March 2014. The event was held at the premises of DHAN Foundation, Madurai with the support of India Water Partnership (IWP), a Pan-India Water Network. DHAN Foundation works with more than 2.5 lakhs farmers, who are small and marginal rainfed, tankfed farmers in six states across India. DHAN’s work extend to more than 4000 village tanks and ponds in these states, which are rehabilitated and maintained by the community themselves. Water managers and Water User Association leaders from Tamilnadu, Andra Pradesh, Karnataka and Puducherry were invited for the event. More than 75 Water Managers and Association Leaders participated in the workshop.

Focus

• Experience sharing on the impact of Water Managers in irrigation during recent period.
• Importance of Water Managers in tank irrigation in Rainfed Tanks
• Sharing on Climate change and its implication, Adaptation by Water Managers from different contexts
• Discussion on needy alternative livelihood for water managers

Mr.N.Venkatesan, Programme Leader welcomed the Participants and explained the purpose and expected outcome of the workshop.

Mr.A.Gurunathan shared the importance of water managers and their role. He also shared the impact of climate change in rainfall pattern and the urge of water mangers on effective water management techniques.

Shri M.P.Vasimalai, Executive Director of DHAN, emphasised the importance of water managers and he suggested different roles of water managers and also their importance in maintaining tank system in effective way. He suggested that Panchayat and Panchayat union to come forward in employing water managers for Panchayat tanks like in bigger tanks as the Public Works Department in Tamil Nadu employs Luskers in System Tanks. Alternative livelihood and permanent income for water managers to be ensured by Tank Associations.

Er.Rathinavel, Retd Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, Tamilnadu shared on the history of water managers roles and responsibilities and also his experience with water managers. He suggested that water user associations members can act as water managers on rotation basis wherever exclusive water managers are not available.

Water Managers shared their present status of their role and responsibility, and the effect of climate change on agriculture and their livelihood.

Four sub groups were formed to discuss on the following topics

1. Effect of Climate change in Tank irrigation and their livelihood
2. Ensuring Water Managers in all irrigation Tanks and the plan for 2014-15
3. Livelihood of water managers and Plan for 2014-15

Following declarations were made after deliberations of four sub groups

1. Employ water managers for all irrigation tanks and the remuneration for water managers to be ensured either by Water User Associations or the Panchayat.
2. Ensure all water Managers are part of Water User Associations and also in the SHGs/Micro Finance Groups for savings, credit and social security.
3. Part of revenue made from usufructs can be shared to Water Managers as they are the unofficial managers of usufructs also.
4. During non agricultural season, remuneration to Water managers to be ensured either through endowment interest or by other income sources majorly collecting taxes based on croped area or the type of crop.
5. Water managers are maintaining tanks and they can be added as resource person for implementing MHNREGS in the particular tank works
6. Latest irrigation technologies and effective water management systems related trainings can be provided to the water managers
7. Like PWD tanks, lusker system can be followed in non system tanks also and Government can pay wages to Water managers
8. To cope up with climate change, water managers to be engaged compulsorily and water managers should work effectively to address the climate change cause especially in tank irrigation aspects

The resolutions were declared in the forum and adopted unanimously. Mr.S.P.Madhan Mohan shared vote of thanks.