mr. vinod tare and ms. birgit vogel iewp @ workshop on water allocation, water economics and eflows...

India-EU Water PartnershipWorkshop on Water Allocation, Water Economics and Eflows

In River Basin Management

14-15 September 2016, New Delhi

Water Allocation and the Economic Dimension in the Ganga River Basin Management Plan

IEWP WorkshopWater Allocation, Water Economics and Ecological Flows in River Basin Management14 – 15 September 2016, New Delhi (India)

Professor Vinod Tare – IIT (Kanpur, India)

Birgit Vogel – IEWP TA Team (Vienna, Austria)

Content

Three parts of the presentation

1. Insight on water allocation and economics in Ganga River Basin according to the GRBMP

2. Status of the water allocation regime in the GRB Initial test of the OECD Health Check / Ganga RBMP

3. Lessons learned and reflection on RBM steps towards improved water allocation and linked economic instruments

Insight on water allocation and economics in Ganga

River Basin according to the GRBMP

Dr Vinod TareIIT Kanpur

Water Allocation and the Economic Dimension in the GRBMPThursday, September 15, 2016

IEWP WorkshopNew Delhi

Ganga River Basin: 907,000 sq km; Covering 11 States in India

Ganga River Basin and the River Ganga River Ganga ≈ 2500 km

Main Streams: Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Mandakini, Dhauli Ganga, Nandakini and Pindar

Important Confluences: Vishnu Prayag, Nand Prayag, Karn Prayag, Rudra Prayag, Dev Prayag and Prayag Raj




Key Features of National River Ganga Basin - Geomorphology

Geomorphic Map of Ganga River Valley




Upper Ganga Segment (UGS)

294 km up to Bhimgauda Barrage, Haridwar in Hilly Terrain




Upper Ganga Segment (UGS)

• Flows on steep and narrow bed, mostly rocks and boulders.

• Carries cold water, is subjected to much less anthropogenic pollution.

• Has highly sensitive and fragile ecosystem and biodiversity, and

• Most importantly considered to have potential for harnessing hydropower.




Water and Urban Systems

Biota Movement and

Sediment Transport




Middle and Lower Ganga Segment Middle Ganga≈ 1071 km Bhimgauda Barrage to Varanasi

Lower Ganga ≈ 1145 km Varanasi to Ganga Sagar




Middle Ganga Segment (MGS)

• Enters and flows in plains, meandering mostly on bed of fine sand.

• Has wide river bed and flood plain, and

• Most importantly modified through human interventions in terms of huge quantities of water diversion/abstraction and subjected to high degree of pollutant loads from domestic, industrial and agricultural activities.

Water BodiesPollution and Carrying Capacity

Flooding

Misusing Water BodiesPollution and Carrying Capacity

Seasonal Streams to Perennial StreamsDue to GW pumping and

Long Distance Transport of Water across River Basins




Lower Ganga Segment (LGS)

• River has experienced considerable changes in the sediment transport and deposition.

• Causes wide spread flooding.

• Undergoes frequent changes in her channel path, and

• Most importantly is subjected to international disputes on flows and interventions made and/or are being carried out/planned.


Industrializa

tionUrbanizatio

n

Agriculture & Rural Activities

Deforestation/

Denudation

Pollution

Overload

Water Under-

Replenishment

Over Use of Natural Resources

River

Mutilation

Geol

ogic

Di

srup

tion

River Basin or Watershed

Life

styl

e C

hang

es

Issues and Concerns of the NRGB Environment

Five Major Types of Degradation Factors Major Human Activities Affecting the Aquatic

Environment of NRGB




Loss of Ecosystems Services

Provisioning Services(Food, Freshwater, Fibres, Energy)

Regulating Services(Flood Attenuation, Groundwater Recharge, Prevention of Saltwater Intrusion)

Supporting Services(Nutrient Recycling, Soil Formation, Biodiversity)

Cultural Services(Spiritual Fulfilment, Recreation)

Impact on Humans




WATER RESOURCES AND RIVER SYSTEMS

• An impending water crisis stares the country in her face today.

• Many of our rivers and water bodies are heavily polluted, posing severe health problems

• Many cities and towns face acute water shortage every year• Much of the population has no access to safe drinking water• Over-exploited groundwater resources are affecting

agricultural output in large tracts of the country




WATER RESOURCES AND RIVER SYSTEMS

• Rapidly vanishing water bodies have gravely damaged aquatic ecosystems and their resilience.

• The low efficiencies of irrigation water use and poor water management practices and policies at all levels have contributed to the overall aquatic crisis.




Scope for Interventions

Industrialization

Urbanization

Lifestyle Changes

Profit Making Activities & Activities of Relatively Effluent Section of the Society

Agriculture and Other Rural Activities

Deforestation & Denudation

Basic Needs and Livelihoodof Relatively Poor or Marginal Sections of Society

Scope for Interventions




Wastes

Point

Non-PointSolid Liquid

Domestic

Irrigation Return Flows

Industrial

CitiesTanneries

Pulp & Paper

Sugar & Distillery

TextileOthers

Villages

Non-Hazardous HazardousStorm Runoff

Class I

Class II

Class III

Mission Nirmal Dhara or Un-polluted Flow: Various Types of Waste Generated




Most Sensitive SectorsImplementation of GRBMP: Challenges




Water

The Nexus

Food

Waste Pollution

Health Economy




Water

The Nexus

Food

Waste Pollution

Health Economy

CostExpendpiture




GRBMP• Long journey 25 to 30 Years or even more

• Will require reforms and investments of the order of INR 6,00,000 Crores (US $ 100 b)

• Dynamic, will evolve as we learn to gather more systematic information

• Show how to begin this journey




Degr

ee o

f Bas

in P

lann

ing

DCA

BA

UK

France

Portugal

NetherlandGermany

Meuse

Characterization of River Basin Management

BA: Watershed/Basin Approach: Hydrological Model River Basin Authority

International River France, Germany, and Netherland

Level of Coordination

India

Low

High

TotalNone

DCA:Decentralized Approach

25 – 30 Years Journey




Governance

• Encroachment, Abstraction and Waste Disposal• Licenses, Permits and Policing to Recognizing, Responding,

and Responsibility• Empower through knowledge


GRBMP

Activities in Ganga Basin

• Prohibited

• Restricted

• Promoted

Regulated

National Ganga River Basin Management Act[ NGRBM Act ]

National Ganga River Basin Management Commission[ NGRBMC]

Ganga River Basin Management Plan


Objective: Ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the NGRBM Act

Both in Letter and Spirit

Role: Non Executive

Knowledge and Information/Data

Coordination and Advice

Investigation Public Interface Adjudication

Seed from IIT ConsortiumSown, Nurtured and Grown to a Big

Banian Tree

Sanctions

National Ganga River Basin Management Commission[ NGRBMC]

Coordination and Not a Compromise Model

Intellectual Capital and Finances

Initial Seed Grant from Central Government




Implementation of GRBMP– Comprehensive Legislation on Management of NRGB

– Review of Existing Legislative Framework

– Competence of Parliament to legislate on Interstate Rivers in Public Interest

– Article 246; Entry 56

– Prohibition, Regulation and Promotion of Activities in NRGB

– Setting up Commission




Implementation of GRBMP (Provisional)

– Objective of National River Ganga Basin Management Commission

To serve as a custodian of National River Ganga Basin (NRGB) and work for its upkeep and

improvement on the premise that health of National River Ganga is a key indicator of the

health of the Basin as a whole

Status of the water allocation regime in the GRB:Applying the OECD Health Check

What is the status of the allocation regime

and its economic background on the Ganga River Basin ?

What elements are in place and which ones are missing ?

Water Allocation and the Basin-Wide ScaleThe basin wide-scale and management of water allocation and economic mechanisms is a specific challenge. Why? Usual involvement of several countries and states across basin Hence, variation of natural, legal and economic conditions

including regulations, enforcement and control Coordination becomes and issue

Example Danube River Basin and RBMP: Danube RBMP reflects hydrological alterations including abstraction; Water allocation and regimes not addressed Economic analysis reflected to certain degree

Coordination on basin-wide level: a challenge Information on water abstraction is scarce for basin-wide level Water scarcity and allocation has not been a driver so far Different approaches Linkage between national – international level

Number of surface water abstractions in the Danube RB (rivers with catchment areas > 4.000 km2)

How to tackle issues on water allocation and economics in large river basins ?

Firstly, get an appropriate overview on related status, gaps and improvement needs

Ganga RBMP and OECD Health CheckUndertook very first attempt to test the OECD Health Check (2015*) to the water

allocation aspects in the Ganga RBMP (Main Document and Aviral Dhara):

To better/holistically understand aspects regarding water quantity and allocation

in the Ganga River Basin

*Water Resources Allocation – Sharing Risks and Opportunities (OECD, 2015)

What is the OECD Health Check?

Tool to review current allocation arrangements Assessment scales: national, state, provincial, basin-wide

Key questions:

Are elements of a well-designed allocation regime in place ? Robust and adaptable to changing conditions

What are the areas of potential improvement ?

OECD Health CheckBasic features

Structure / Approach of the OECD Health Check 14 elements against which water allocation elements of e.g. Action

Plans/Strategies/RBM Plans/etc. are compared to 10 system level elements of water allocation regime 4 user level elements of water allocation regime

The 14 check elements are reflected very general in this presentation

related to water allocation issues in the Ganga RBMP (taking into account the interlinkage to the State level)

A related Background Document will be available online - outlining more detail

OECD Health Check / Ganga RBMPFindings in Overview

1. Accountability Mechanisms for water allocation in the Ganga Basin ?No voluntary or legally binding accountability mechanism in place to regulate water allocation on the Ganga River basin-wide scale; State basisConcerted effort to legally organise water abstraction is neededGRBMP does not hold status of statutory instrument. However, the GRBMP holds related recommendations regarding water allocation and related mechanisms

2. Clear legal status of water resources ?Indian Constitution grants full control of river waters to States. Still, inter-state rivers can be regulated, developed and managed nationally – for common benefit of national StatesSurface waters are public assets: executive control of States; no coherent regulationGroundwater is largely privately owned: Abstraction control in some States for new abstractions; No coherent regulationContradiction between water ownership and use: Water users not entrusted with maintenance of water resources

3. Availability of water resources and possible scarcity well understood?

Ganga RBMP outlines that quantitative water status is not well understood

Estimates for utilisable water resources potential show high uncertainties due to the use of different methodologies.Water demand projections consider human water needs but not environmental ones

Water demand is not yet considered as function of price, availability and supply quality

4. Are abstraction limits in place reflecting in-situ requirements and sustainable use ?Surface waters: No commonly agreed abstraction limits are introduced yet.Basin-wide: Work on agreements between various States for sharing water in Ganga RB trough tribunals …. Many challenges are faced.Groundwater: No abstraction limits and control are in place

5. Effective approach for effective & fair shortage management to ensure essential uses ?No approach that sets priorities for water uses in case of shortages is in place. In some States/locally but not coherent on basin-wide.

6. Adequate arrangements for dealing with exceptional circumstances ?Exceptional circumstances are currently not specified on basin-wide level - rather handled on ad-hoc basis. An improved approach is being worked on guided by GRBMP.

Developed and implemented accountability mechanisms and regulations for entitlements regarding water allocation

Several recommendations as part of the Ganga RBMP :• Water use and demand control system is very important including realistic

water pricing; incentives to improve water use efficiency; allocation of water rights; stakeholder entitlements; reuse of water;

• Regular monitoring of groundwater levels is essential;• Eventual role of RBO: control non-implementation and impose penalties

through dedicated fund under central Government;

would support development and implementation of

Processes for dealing with new entrants, increasing and/or varying existing entitlements

– Check 7

Currently partly in place. Permits not always granted.

Effective mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement with clear and legally robust

sanctions – Check 8

Currently not in place for State and basin-wide level

but recommended in GRBMP

Is infrastructure in place to store, treat and deliver water for effective functioning of

allocation regime – Check 9

Based on current outlines in GRBMP, difficult to analyse and judge the status and efficiency of related infrastructure.

Survey and register would be needed

Is there policy coherence across sectors that affect water resources allocation ?– Check 10

No complete coherence between relevant water sectors;

Relevant sectors are addressed in the GRBMP – implementation of integrative policy between these poses

challenge – approaches are being worked on

4 User level elements on water allocation scheme (checks 11 – 14)

Check 11: Currently, there is no clear definition of water entitlements. Regulation gap - e.g.: Duration of entitlements; Clear regulation on quantity of water use – metering

lacking. Analyse value of access to water to economy and related contribution to

environment also as basis to define entitlements

Check 12: Currently, no coherent system for abstraction charges in place reflecting the impact of abstraction on resource availability GRBMP recommends to introduce realistic water pricing with incentives

As soon as other water allocation elements are in place as precondition: Specify obligations to return flows and discharges properly specified and enforced (13) Reallocation of water among water users to improve efficiency of the regime (14)

OECD Health CheckFindings in Overview

Economic instruments are not yet addressed in the Ganga RBMP

Assumed that these will be rather a matter on the State level –

What is the role of the basin wide level?

Lessons learned and reflection on RBM steps towards

improved water allocation and linked economic instruments

Policy, regulations and approaches on State level Crucial role for consolidated RBM approaches on basin-wide level; Currently, differences between States regarding water allocation regime Coordination between these towards integrated, basin-wide coordination

Aiming for a feasible frame Basin-wide RBMPs cannot be implemented in one go – also valid for Ganga Water allocation regimes should not be designed for basin-wide scale but be

based on national level and be coordinated as such: Aim to prevent negative impacts: Introduce systematic check points to

overlook, plan and manage water use and allocation RBO to facilitate management and implementation in and between States

Lessons Learned/Reflections

Data gaps and shortcomings Fill gaps in staged approach towards clearly defined data needs Targeted and output oriented data collection

Options towards less ‘data hungry’ systems and approaches manage water use Step 1: Higher effectiveness of water user associations in Ganga River Basin Step 2: Address each water use and related aspects

Economic instruments Due to the status of water allocation regime in the Ganga RB, economic

instruments are lacking What could be appropriate incentives ? Definition of economic visions and objectives on basin-wide level to

coordinated States towards joint aims on the basin-wide level

Lessons Learned/Reflections

Thank you for your attention !

Contacts:Professor Vinod Tare: [email protected]

Birgit Vogel: [email protected]