81-Water issues around Bharatpur and Panchna and its implication for different stakeholders

Abstract

Keoladeo came into the limelight in 2004 after the refusal of the farmers benefiting from irrigation from Panchna Dam to send water to the Sanctuary area. At that time the conflict centered around the bird sanctuary, farmers benefiting from irrigation from Panchna and the issue of '''inking water to Bharatpur. However in a short period of 4-5 years the conflict has burgeoned to embrace over 10 differ ,nt types of stakeholders including Karauli town , Kailadevi sanctuary and the Alligator sanctuary in the Chambal. Each proposed solution to the problem has added to the number of stakeholders, intensifying the nature of conflict between the different stakeholders. The major dimensions include sanctuaries and National parks of different types, agriculture, animal husbandry and drinking water issues for the neighboring townships. Ecological issues related to quality of water including the type of water that can breed fish for the birds of the sanctuary, breakdown of a traditional method of harvesting water on the Banganga which has not only damaged agriculture, but al• o led to a breakdown of the traditional breeding ground for birds in the wet lands surrounding Bharatpur. The tourism dimension related to the bird sanctuary and the vanishing Siberian crane all form part of the tapestry. The region is of critical importance for Rajasthan due to it being the outlet of all East flowing rivers in to the Ganga via Chambal. Being low lying area, the region was initially water logged, but due to the efforts of Raja Suraj Mal a series of smal, dams were constructed, which trained the rivers and created wet lands in the rainy season on one hand and facilitated agriculture in Rabi season. The change in the ecology resulted in the region becoming a suitable nesting ground for the migrating Siberian birds. After Independence, agriculture in the region has been transformed, with the large scale production of mustard from the region. Milk production in Bharatpur went down due to the scarcity of fodder created as a result. Urbanization and water use intensification has caused a change in the issues around Bharatpur. Where once Ajan Dam etc. was constructed to save Bharatpur from flooding, now Bharatpur starves for even drinking water. On the other hand, Karauli which once hosted vast herds of migratory cattle now faces the unenviable situation as to what to do with its own cattle. Vast hordes migrate to UP along with a good section of the resident population. With inadequate livelihood facilities, dacoity, drug peddling and other problems have reared their ugly heads.