What is the issue?
Amidst drought and looming water crisis, the need for practices like 'Kudimaramath' is increasingly felt.
What is Kudimaramath?
- In ancient India water was managed through a system of patronage and community control through village councils, particularly in South India.
- In Tamil Nadu, during the Chola rule, parts of the Grand Anicut canal system which were maintained by the government were known as ‘sarkari’.
- The lower parts maintained by farmers were known as ‘Kudimaramath’ i.e. people’s maintenance by donation of labour.
- Under ‘Kudimaramath’, the users were expected to contribute labour for the upkeep and repair of irrigation facilities from time to time.
- Works on deepening of tanks, strengthening bunds, desilting supply channels and repairing sluices are taken up under 'Kudimaramath'.
- The institution of ‘Kudimaramath’ witnessed a gradual decay with the advent of the British rule as the management of tanks shifted to a centralised channel namely PWD.
- Post-Independence too, successive governments failed in their attempts to revive the ‘Kudimaramath’ works.
What is significance of tank irrigation?
- Tanks have been an important source of irrigation in southern India.
- They are -
- less capital-intensive.
- capture the run-off resulting from the unpredictable monsoon rains.
- conserve water for multifarious uses like irrigated agriculture, drinking water for cattle and domestic uses.
- augment groundwater resources through sub-surface recharge.
- Rapid urbanisation, dumping community resources into tanks, declining community maintenance, and encroachments have degraded the condition of tanks.
- Reports suggest that out of 5.56 lakh tanks in the country, only 4.71 lakh tanks are in use leading to a loss of about one million hectares of irrigation potential.
- Fewer rainy days with increased magnitude are predicted by climate experts in the days to come.
- Restoring tanks and ponds will ensure adequate water supply even during drought.
What should be done?
- The cost-effective method of repairing, renovating and restoring the age-old tanks and other small water bodies should be given top priority.
- It is more likely to succeed if panchayats play a pro-active role in the exercise as in Kudimaramath system.
- Proper consultation with the stakeholders including the farmers and gram sabhas is essential.
- The responsibility, authority and control over the development of water bodies could be vested with the beneficiaries or the panchayats which can ensure accountability as well.
Source: BusinessLine
