June 8, 2012

ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS: ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS: How much water must flow in a river?How much water must flow in a river?

Ravi ChopraRavi ChopraPeople’s Science Institute

June 8, 2012

Kashyapa’s Wisdom - IKashyapa’s Wisdom - I

• Origins of rivers are sacred. Build a temple at the site.• There must be minimum obstruction to the flow of a river (river

as an ecosystem).

June 8, 2012

Kashyapa’s Wisdom - IIKashyapa’s Wisdom - II• Forests & rivers have a symbiotic relationship. Harvest water in

forests.• Withdraw only as much water as you need. (Conserves flows &

quality)• Every community can contribute to the conservation of water

according to its abilities.

June 8, 2012

Modern Indian Engineers’ ApproachModern Indian Engineers’ Approach• Any water flowing to the sea is water wasted.• Therefore minimum flow (10% of lean season).

AfterBefore

June 8, 2012

Consequences of Modern Approach - IConsequences of Modern Approach - I

Before

After

Maneri Bhali – I on R. BhagirathiManeri Bhali – I on R. Bhagirathi

June 8, 2012

Maneri Bhali – II on R. BhagirathiManeri Bhali – II on R. Bhagirathi

June 8, 2012

Ichari Dam on the Tons RiverIchari Dam on the Tons River

Downstream of Ichari Dam Downstream of Ichari Dam

June 8, 2012

Consequences of Modern Approach - IIConsequences of Modern Approach - II

River % of total length affected

Alakananda 61Dhauli (W) 71Bhagirathi* 59Gori Ganga 45†

% dried by multiple projects

* From Gaumukh to Dharasu† This is only the tunnel length. The river length affected will be longer.

June 8, 2012

New Wisdom : Environmental FlowsNew Wisdom : Environmental Flows• A river is an ecosystem “with a unique structure and functions, with a

specific history and capable of self-generated dynamic behaviour.” (Etymology of Ganga: from the Sanskrit root ‘gam’ – that which moves)

• River has the first right to its water. We should take only what the river can spare.

• Environmental flows are a set of flows that mimic the natural flows.

• Brisbane Declaration: “EF describe the quantity, quality and timing of water flows required to sustain fresh water and estuarine ecosystems and the human livelihoods and well-being that depend on these ecosystems.

• Ecological and social livelihoods components.

June 8, 2012

E-Flows Methods, Desktop Models- IaE-Flows Methods, Desktop Models- Ia

Source: Smakhtin & Anputhas, IWMI, Research Report, 107

June 8, 2012

E-Flows Methods, Desktop Models- IbE-Flows Methods, Desktop Models- Ib

Source: Smakhtin & Anputhas, IWMI, Research Report, 107

•Requires long term flow data but is quick and easy. Of great practical use for dam operations.

June 8, 2012

E-Flows Methods- IIE-Flows Methods- II

Holistic Methods Local Improvisations

• BBM Revealed Preference Model: User groups identify and justify the water required in the river at different times of the year, e.g., fisherfolk identify which species requires how much water at different times of the year.-- Gaumukh, Pune

June 8, 2012

Cultural Flows - ICultural Flows - I

fo’oL; ekrj% loZ loZ’pso egkQyk% AbR;srk lfjr% jktu~ lek[;krk ;FkkLe`fr AA

“O king! Rivers are mothers of the world; all of them bestow great rewards.I have enumerated as many as my memory enables me to.”

-- Mahabharat, Bhishma Parva, Ch 9, verses 37/38

June 8, 2012

Cultural Flows - IICultural Flows - II

•People have developed traditions – imageries, rituals and festivals that reflect the natural flow rhythms. •Spiritual values and folklore , e.g., appearance or sound, also reflect varying levels of river flows.•Such cultural flows have to be quantified to include the needs of people who populate the cultural basins of deified rivers.

June 8, 2012

Cultural Flows DeterminationCultural Flows Determination

R. Ganga at Bithoor near Kanpur

• First such study by PSI for R. Ganga as part of WWF-India’s Living Ganga Programme.• Between Gangotri and Kanpur, 35-65% of the natural flows during the monsoon season and 18-77% of the lean season flows.• Closely match requirements for natural functions.

June 8, 2012

Baby Steps towards Rational EFBaby Steps towards Rational EF

• WQAA (2007): 2.5% of the annual average flow at 75% dependability should be provided as a minimum flow. (WG to advise WQAA)

• HLEG (2008-09): 0.86cumec 1 cumec to 3cumecs 4cumecs 16 cumecs entire low flow season average 21 to 22cumecs

• HP: 15% of the seasonal average (?)

• WII (2011-12): Minimum EF 14.5% of MSR in no fish zone to 21.8% of MSR in Mahseer and Snow Trout zones

June 8, 2012

Next StepsNext Steps• VO’s roles: Educate people, decision-makers about EF; Use FDC

method – data from EIA reports, DPRs; Push for acceptance of EF concept; Introduction of EF in universities’ curricula.

• Upper reaches of most rivers have high wilderness value and offer livelihoods possibilities .

• Legislation required to protect such wilderness and scenic stretches.• 135km Gaumukh to Uttarkashi eco-sensitive area and declaration

(2004) of Tirthan river in HP as a wild river are important steps.

June 8, 2012

Thank YouThank You653, Indira Nagar653, Indira Nagar

Dehra Doon - 248 006Dehra Doon - 248 006

UttarakhandUttarakhand

INDIAINDIA

WebWeb : : www.peoplesscienceinstitute.orgwww.peoplesscienceinstitute.org

MailMail : : psiddoon@gmail.compsiddoon@gmail.com

PhonePhone : : +91 135 2763649+91 135 2763649

Fax Fax : : +91 135 2763368+91 135 2763368

June 8, 2012

Hydropower : Contested Development (I)Hydropower : Contested Development (I)

70% of India's hydropower potential is in the Himalayan region

June 8, 2012

Hydropower : Contested Development (II)Hydropower : Contested Development (II)

Every state is rushing to earn revenue from hydropowerState Ultimate Installed

Capacity (MW)Capacity

Developed (MW)

Under Construction

(MW)

Capacity to be Developed (MW)

Jammu & Kashmir 14146 1864.2 899.0 11382.9

Himachal Pradesh 18820 6085.5 4435.0 8299.6

Uttarakhand 18175 2752.1 2154.0 13269.0

Sikkim 4286 84.0 2309.0 1893.0

Meghalaya 2394 185.2 84.0 2124.8

Tripura 15 15.0 0.0 0.0

Manipur 1784 105.0 0.0 1679.0

Assam 680 375.0 0.0 305.0

Nagaland 1574 99.0 0.0 1475.0

Mizoram 2196 0.0 0.0 2196.0

Arunachal Pradesh 50328 423.5 2600.0 47304.5

TOTAL 114398 11988.5 12397 89928.8

June 8, 2012

Hydropower : Contested Development (IV)Hydropower : Contested Development (IV)

A diversion dam is proposed every 10 to 20 km on all major rivers.

June 8, 2012

River FlowsRiver Flows• Shrinking glaciers, loss of year round flows and construction of HEPs

threaten river flows

• Hence reviving subsurface flows, minimizing short and long range threats to glaciers and environmental flows d/s of dams are essential.