Journal of Global Resources
Volume 4
ISSN: 2395-3160 (Print), 2455-2445 (Online)

January 2017

Page 63-70

8
WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN CHHATTISGARH STATE OF INDIA:
STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Preeti Soni
Assistant Professor
Govt. G.N.A. Post Graduate College, Bhatapara, Chhattisgarh, India
Email:preetis419@gmail.com
Abstract: Water is one of the most valuable natural resources gifted by nature to mankind.
Out of the 3 percent fresh water available globally, 77.2 percent is stored in glaciers, 22.4
percent is ground water and just 0.4 percent is distributed among lakes, swamps, rivers
and streams. World water demand doubles every 21 years, but the volume available is thesame as it was in Roman times. Something has to be done urgently. According to UN andStockholm Environment institute, statistics (1995) by the year 2025, two third of the world
population will be affected by water scarcity. In such a situation our most valuable water
resources are deteriorating, polluting and depleting day by day. Hence, each and every
drop of rain water has to be conserved through various methods. In order to manage andconserve our precious water resources applying various scientific approaches, traditional
method, technology and effective and relevant water policies of state government we mayachieve the sustainable development of water resources in the state. In Chhattisgarh state
about 80 percent population is rural and mainly dependent on agriculture. The biggest
effect of PWC influence on state policy has been the three principles – location Specificity,
decentralization and multipurpose water resources development. Instead it is replaced bystate sponsored groundwater exploitation, which is underutilized is also most fragile in
Chhattisgarh hydrological setting. A sustainable strategy for management of water
resources is must to make aware masses for conservation of water and make the best useof our water by water saving programs, by capturing rain water from roof top. An attempt
has been made in the present research paper to suggest the relevant strategies for the
management of water resources. The aim of the research paper is to highlight various
programs & policies of state government to manage and conserve the water resources ofthe state.
Key words: Natural Resource, Depleting, Water Storage, Ground Water Exploitation
Introduction
Management of water resources has assumed great significance worldwide due to climatic
factors associated with changes in life style of people. In last couple of decades, it has
become the pertinent issue before the human society that should be addressed very wisely
and scientifically by all the nations and their respective governments due to its greatsignificance for the survival of their masses. Water is the precious gift of the nature given to
the mankind is probably available only on mother earth. It is the base of human civilizations
that have flourished in almost all part of the globe. About three fourth of earth’s surface iscovered by ocean. According to the UN estimates, the total amount of water on earth isabout 1385.5 million cubic kilometres. About 71 per cent of earth surface is covered withwater, out of which 97 per cent is ocean water (unsuitable for human consumption due tohigh concentration of salt) and rest merely 3 per cent, is available as fresh water. Out of the
3 per cent fresh water available, 77.2 per cent is stored in glaciers, 22.4 per cent is groundwater and only 0.4 per cent is distributed among lakes, swamps, rivers and streams. World
water demand doubles every 21 years, but the volume available is the same as it was in
Roman times. Something has to be done. Nearly 45 crore people in 29 countries live in63

water-short locations. More than 100 crore people lack safe drinking water. If the current
trends continue, half the world could face water shortages by 2032.
India has plenty of natural resources and god has gifted plenty of water resources.
In terms of quantum of water resources our country is very rich. In other words, the total
amount of available water in the country irregular and its distribution is highly uneven.
However, the situation is such that the floods and the droughts co-exist. Consequently,
there is a serve problem of water surplus and water deficit in several parts of the country
including in the study region that is Chhattisgarh state. The existing water resources ofprime significance are critically depleting day by day, mainly because of over-exploitation.
With regard to our country, the rate of depletion of ground water resources is very severe
and beyond carrying capacity. If the continuing fall in the water table remains unchecked,
the hydrological as well as environmental conditions of the concerned areas would worsen.
So, keeping in view, the relevance of the issue, especially the extent, magnitude and thecritical status of water resources in India particularly the management of water resources in
Chhattisgarh State of India has been selected for research investigation.
Objectives
The main Aims and objectives of the research study are as under:• To estimate and assess the present status of Water Resources in study region• To analyze the spatial and temporal extent of research problem and major causal
factors of water scarcity• To examine the major problems and issues related to water resources• To highlight the role of state govt. and its water policy for conservation andmanagement of water resources• To suggest a model for management and conservation of water resources and theirsustainable development for future needs of the society
Research Methodology
The research study is entirely based on secondary data sources. The major data andinformation pertaining to the present research study have been collected from thesecondary sources. The main sources of secondary data are Ministry of Water Resources,
Govt. of India including the other Departments of Govt. of India and Department of Water
Resources of Chhattisgarh Govt. and other central govt. organizations such as Central
Water Commission, Central Ground Water Authority, Central Ground Water Board, as well
as data has been also collected from the surface and ground Water Resources of
Chhattisgarh Govt., Department of Public Health and engineering, Irrigation and theirrelated departments. Apart from that intensive literature related to the Water Resources ofState have also been collected and consulted including booklets, journals, various project
reports, periodicals, statistical abstracts, newspapers and websites etc. to understand thevarious pertinent issues and problems related to the Water Resources from different
perspectives. Lastly, all the data has been analysed by applying various statistical methods
and techniques including some maps and tables to depict the major sources of water
resources.
Major Causal Factors of Water Scarcity and Water Depletion in the Study Region• Climate change and global warming• Rapid growth in demand for drinking water to the accelerating human population bothin urban and rural areas.
• Intensive and uncontrolled scale developmental activities i.e. mining, quarrying, road,building and bridges construction, agricultural operations and rising number ofIndustrial units etc.
• Undue exploitation of ground water resources through wells, tube wells and powerpumps.
• Unbalanced demand and supply of water resources.
64

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Large scale encroachment in and around major, medium and small size water bodies.
Lack of public awareness towards conservation and management of water resources
especially in rural areas water bodies like lakes, tanks, wells, canals, rivers.
Low public consciousness to arrest the rain water (Rain water harvesting) in agriculture
farm, ponds, wells and tanks at local level.
Changing lifestyle of modern society mainly in urban areas posing serious challenges
to water scarcity.
Supply of electricity and rising number of tube wells, power pumps and hand pumps inagricultural operations dominated areas resultantly, decaling ground water level in rural
areas.
Large scale deforestation in study area and further no afforestation consequently no
seepage of rain water into the soil and no ground water recharge.
No scientific planning of water resources including increasing the storage capacity ofwater resources.
Issue of water quality and problem of fluoride content in water
Issue of water logging and soil salinity
Sever Problem of Drinking Water in Rural and Urban areas.
Maximum use of Ground water resources in agricultural crops production
predominantly paddy crop.
Inadequate and inefficient drainage system.
Deteriorating surface and ground water quality due to contamination from municipal
and industrial waste as well as due to use of chemical fertiliser and pesticides inagriculture.

It is also felt that many of the problems and issues are inter-related or in somecases one is the reason for the other. Therefore, an integrated and comprehensive
approach has to be adopted not only in dealing with these problems but also even in theiridentification. The water experts have initially classified the problems in two basic
categories, one requiring physical or structural measures and other category requiring thenon-structural measures these all issues and problems should be addressed scientificallyby involving the latest technology (GIS) and traditional methods by the scientific community
working in the field of water resource management at global, regional and local level inorder to sort out the burning problem of scarcity of water resources, their management andto provide safe drinking to each and every human being of the society.
Geographical Profile of Study Region
The study region is located in the central part of India consisting of 18 districts surroundedby Madhya Pradesh in the north-west, Uttar Pradesh in the north, Jharkhand in the northeast, Orissa in the east, Andhra Pradesh in the south, and Maharashtra in west (fig. 1).
Geographically, it extends from 170 46! North to 240 5! North latitude and from 800 15’ East
to 840 20’ East longitude. It consists of an area of 1,35,097 sq. km. and it is inhabited by
2,55,45,198 according to 2011 census. Previously, Chhattisgarh state was a part of the
Madhya Pradesh state and it come into existence as a state in November 2000 and Raipur
is the capital of Chhattisgarh state. Topographically the study region can be broadly divided
into four geographic divisions viz, (i) Satpura range, (ii) Vindhyachal Mountain range, (iii)
Maikal range and (iv) Chhota Nagpur Plateau. The main rivers of the study region are
Mahanadi, Indravati, Shivnath, Godavari, Arpa, Kelo, Rehar, Kanhar and Hasdeo which
drains most of the geographical area of state along with their numerous tributaries. Apartfrom them there are many important lakes and water bodies in the state. The stateexperiences a tropical type of climate and about 44 per cent area of the state is covered by
the forest predominantly by mixed deciduous variety of natural vegetation mainly the tree
species of Sal, Bamboo and Teak. By and large the Study region experiences goodamount of rainfall mainly from the South-West monsoon.

65Fig: 1 Geographical Location of Study Region

Present Water Resources Status of Study Region
Nature has gifted abundant of water resources to the state of Chhattisgarh in terms ofquantity. The average rainfall in the study region is about 1400 mm. and near about 90
percent of the total rainfall is experienced during the monsoon season (June to September)
Septemduring which around 80 percent
percent of the annual runoff flows. The pattern of rainfall
occurrence is not uniform and it is erratic both temporal and spatial distribution. Due to thevariation in rainfallll the agricultural phenomenon of the entire state is badly affected mainly
the paddy crop production i.e. one of the major crops of the Study Region. The recurring
floods and the droughts are the main characteristics of annual flow of rivers in the state
requiring storage reservoirs for efficient use of available surface water resources.
The statistical figures pertaining to water resources department of Chhattisgarh
govt. reveals that the state has rich water resources.
resources The geographicalgeographica area of the state
can be divided into five river basins.
basins From the stage of ground water point of view, thestudy region is very dynamic state and about 146 total blocks in the State 138 blocks are
identified as safe blocks and only 8 blocks are semi critical as per indicated in table 4. The
study region has the distinction not to have any critical and over exploited blocks. The
Mahanadi river basins cover the maximum geographical area of the state i.e. 56.15 percent
followed by Godavarii basin about 28.64 percent
perwhereas thee Ganga basin covered 13.62
percent andnd Brahmini basin only 1.03 percent.
per
The estimatedstimated surface water flowing throughthe major rivers including perennial and seasonal is 48,296 Million Cum. and due to various
vario
physiographical and interstate constraints the usable surface water in the study region is41,720 Million Cum. Surface water being used at present is only about 18,249 Million Cum
whereas the estimated ground-water
ground water in Chhattisgarh is 14,548 Million Cubic
Cubi meters andpresent exploration is about 18.31 percent.
perRole of State Govt. for Management and Conservation
Conservation of Water Recourses
Water Resource Management is a very important issue for socio-economic
socio economic growth and forthe betterment and to improve the standard of living of the specific region. It has multi-facet
multiresource that is the basics of diverse activities of human survival and to balance the ecoeco
system globally. In case of study region, it is a valuablevaluable resource because major lion share66

of state population (about 80 per cent) is dependent on agriculture and its allied activities.
Keeping in view, its significant for various development activities, the govt. of Chhattisgarh
has taken a very important decision to adopt water resources development policy 2012.
The main objective of this water policy was to provide drinking water to state population,
agriculture and industrial sectors. The main objective of the policy are to rehabilitee theforest villagers of the submergence areas of proposed construction of dams for thedevelopment of water resources, completion of major and medium irrigation projects
including to improve the quality of drinking water and to maintain ecological balance etc.
The Govt. of Chhattisgarh is very keen to implement this policy and also created
new department for the management and monitoring of water resources. Several researchextension counters related to monitor the water quality and to analyze the water pollution
has also been made operational in the remote rural areas with a sole purpose to provide
safe drinking water to every person of the state. Apart from all these decisions, recently
various programs have been launched by the state govt. for the management andconservation of the water resources like “Jal Kranti”, “Jal Mahotsav” and several otherawareness programs by the department of the water resources time to time.
Table 1: Districtwise Area of River Basins in Chhattisgarh (Area in Sq. Km.)#District
Ganga Brahmani Mahanadi Narmada Godavari
Total
Basin
Basin
Basin
Basin
Basin
1 Baster
0.00
0.00
366.160.00 5019.84 5386.00
2 Kondagaon
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 5063.26 5063.26
3 Narayanpur
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 3748.77 3748.77
4 Bilaspur
858.850.00 4671.73
0.00
0.00 5530.58
5 Mungeli
0.00
0.00 2774.67
0.00
0.00 2774.67
6 Bijapur
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 9378.71 9378.71
7 Dantewada
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 2885.05 2885.05
8 Sukma
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 5443.83 5443.83
9 Dhamatari
0.00
0.00 4068.72
0.00
9.20 4077.92
10 Durg
0.00
0.00 2260.14
0.00
0.00 2260.14
11 Balod
0.00
0.00 3395.07
0.00
9.32 3404.39
12 Bemetara
0.00
0.00 2862.25
0.00
0.00 2862.25
13 Janjgir
0.00
0.00 3859.56
0.00
0.00 3859.56
Champa14 Jashpur
504.59 1243.45 4106.52
0.00
0.00 5854.56
15 Kanker
0.00
0.00 2354.55
0.00 4845.89 7200.44
16 Kawardha
0.00
0.00 3525.13
663.270.00 4188.40
17 Korba
0.33
0.00 6604.16
0.00
0.00 6604.49
18 Koriya
4042.360.00 2562.87
0.00
0.00 6605.23
19 Mahasamund
0.00
0.00 4745.36
0.00
0.00 4745.36
20 Raigarh
0.73
0.00 7030.06
0.00
0.00 7030.79
21 Raipur
0.00
0.00 2903.92
0.00
0.00 2903.92
22 Balodabazar
0.00
0.00 4661.19
0.00
0.00 4661.19
23 Gariyaband
0.00
0.00 4837.21
0.00
0.00 4837.21
24 Rajnandgaon
0.00
0.00 5683.81
80.39 2290.49 8054.69
25 Sarguja
1296.45151.00 2585.03
0.00
0.00 4032.48
26 Surajpur
5451.48
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 5451.48
27 Balrampur
6251.86
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00 6251.86
Total
18406.65 1394.45 75858.11
743.66 38694.36135097.23
Percentage
13.62
1.03
56.15
0.55
28.64
100.00Source: Water Resource Department, Govt. of Chhattisgarh 2016-17

67

Table 2: Stage of Ground Water Development
Safe
Total No.
of blocks Nos.
%
146
138
94

Categorization of Blocks in Chhattisgarh
Semi-Critical
CriticalOver-exploited
Nos.
%
Nos.
%
Nos.
%
8
6
0
0
0
0

OthersNos. %
00Name of Semi critical Blocks- Gurur, Balod, Saja Dhamdha, Patan, Durg, Dhamtari, Bilha
Source: Water Resource Department, Govt. of Chhattisgarh 2016-17

Table 3: Present Status of Ground Water Resources of Study Region
Existing
Gross
Existing Ground
Net Annual Gross
Water
Ground Draft forAssessment
Ground#.
Water
domestic
Unit/ District
Water
Availability Draft forandirrigation industrial
water
supplyExisting
Gross
GroundWater
Draft forAll uses

1 Bastar

181706

8665

3007

11673

4223

1688186

2 Bilaspur

66505

18128

4610

22738

7661

40716

34

3 Dantewara

175503

2490

1650

4139

2265

1707482

4 Dhamtari

37182

13540

1641

15181

2424

21218

41

5 Durg

77658

44319

6473

50792

9126

24213

65

46925

12061

3047

15108

4393

30470

32

7 Jashpur

87401

14592

1692

16284

2230

70579

19

8 Kanker

90987

6871

1521

8392

2317

81799

9

9 Kawardha

26310

7741

1333

9075

1776

16793

34

10 Korba

46554

3992

2363

6355

3588

38974

14

11 Koriya

31220

3909

1350

5259

1898

25412

17

12 Mahasamund

78070

16415

1933

18348

2344

59311

24

13 Raigarh

63919

13165

2927

16092

4225

46529

25

14 Raipur

138949

22329

6989

29318

10175

10644321

6

Janjgir
ChampaAllocationfor
Net Ground
domestic,
Water
Stage ofandAvailability
Groundindustrial
for future
Water
requirement
irrigation
Development
supply upto
development
next 25years

15 Rajnandgaon

65138

16851

2961

19811

4213

44074

30

16 Surguja

154455

26326

4639

30965

7302

12082720136848223139448136

27953070160

1066924

20

10.67

20

State Total(ha m)

State Total
13.68
2.31
0.48
2.80
0.70
(BCM)
Source: Water Resource Department, Govt. of Chhattisgarh 2016-17

68Model 1: Model for Management and Conservation the Water Resources of Study
Region for Sustainable Development
Awareness campaigns should be launched for the Management and Conservation of
Water Resources at national level, state level and local level especially during rainyseason like Jal Kranti, Khet ka Pani Khet Mai, Jal Mahotsav, Jal Chetna etc.

Afforestation programs should be launchedduring rainy season at national, regional andlocal level by involving local masses, youths,
women, students of both schools and colleges
to recharge ground water resources (Plants
and trees are the best sources for seepage andrecharge of ground water resources).

Crop diversification should be
adopted and more stress should begiven on new variety of crops mainly
less water consuming to obtainhighest yield per unit of land.

During Monsoon season, the runoff
water should be collected byadopting the latest modern
techniques
like
rain
water
harvesting to recharge aquifers andground water level

Traditional methods and techniques should be
adopted more wisely and in a scientific mannerand runoff water should be arrested in ponds,
tanks, Lakes, reservoirs and other water bodies
for drinking and domestic purpose including
recharge of ground water.

Management
andConservation of
Water
Resources for
Sustainable
Development

Public awareness campaign should be launchedagainst wastage of water mainly during
summer season when the demand of water at
its peak and it should be started withneighbourhood, friends, senior citizens andwomen including school children. More waterawareness programs should be launched bothby the state govt., NGO’S and govt. agencies
and social organisations to conserve and savewater.

Concerned
Department
especiallypublic health department should bestrictly ensuring that there should be noleakage, seepage and wastage of evensingle drop water through pipelines
providing drinking water to urban andrural areas (Leakage tap adds up to

Due to shortage of water optimal
utilization of every available drop ofwater should be use in crop
production to get maximum highest
yield for the economic benefits offarming community.

Reservoirs, ponds, lakes and wells
culture should be encouraging anddevelopedamong
thefarmingcommunity of study region and more
incentives should be given to the rural
farmers for their constructions andmaintenance to manage and conserve

Special drive should be launched time to time prior to rainy season for renovation of old tanks, ponds,
lakes, wells and reservoirs to increase their storage capacity and siltation should be cleaned up fromthem. Surface water structure should be constructed such as check dams, village tanks and anicuts at
suitable geomorphic sites for surface water storage purposes. More research and extension centres
should be opened situated in rural areas to suggest various methods and techniques to conserve and69

Conclusion
Water is the key to human development and poverty alleviation. Population growth andrising living standards of people are putting heavy pressure on water resources. Manyregions of India including the study region are already suffering from water crisis that
affects their people and the exiting ecosystem. Global Warming and climate change has
further exaggerated the problem. Therefore, water management and its conservation havebecome a very important issue and major challenges before the global community. So
keeping in view, the signification of water resources, the exiting water resources both
surface and ground water resourcing should be harnessed very scientifically and carefully
by invoking the water experts, policy makers, planners, community leaders including
women, youths, rural farmers for their sustainable development. Otherwise, the entire
human society will fall in danger of its survival. A part from the concerned State Govt.
departments, the associated field experts, institutions and organizations should makesincere and joint efforts to control the depletion of water levels at regional and local levels
for the management of water resources. More attention should be focussed on those areasof the study region where water shortages are acute and the rate of depletion of groundwater is very alarming and acute. In such areas rural masses and farming community
should be encouraged to arrest and conserve more and more rain water by preventing itfrom flowing away and divert it to ponds, lakes, wells and other water bodies. Such asimple action further helps recharging of ground water supply. The water experts, farmers,
students, community leaders and women can play a pivotal role in the management andconservation of water resources of water resources. Apart from all these efforts and by
applying the suggested model (1) followed by the latest technology (GIS) may also play a
key and decisive role to manage and conserve the water recourse of the study region.
References
1- Bahadur, Jagdish. (2004) On Water Resource Management in India. In Chauhan, G.S.
(Eds) Water Resource Management, New Delhi, Shri Natraj Pub., pp 93-103.
2- Chadha, D.K. (2002a) Ground Water Development and Artificial Recharge-Way toprosperity. Theme Papers Second International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture,
Water Resource Development and Earth Care Policies. 18-20 December 2002,
Bhoovigyan Vikas Foundation, New Delhi, pp. 212-233.
3- Chadha, D.K. (2002b)
Status of Groundwater Development and Management Paper
Presented in 88th Indian Science Congress, 3-7 January 2002, New Delhi.
4- Dhawan, B.D. (1995) Groundwater Depletion, Land Degradation and IrrigatedAgriculture in India. Commonwealth Publishers, New Delhi.
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