NIH/CS/16-17 : IWRM studies in Errakalva River Basin: Hydrological management practice plans in Y-Drain system

Abstract

P In the name of development schemes each Institution is taking up programmes and projects to suit its primary objective and overlooking the detrimental effects that may even harm its primary objective in long term. There is need to cope up with stresses on a given river basin. This is because basin water resources are committed and there are challenges posed by water quality and its scarcity. Societies respond to water shortage at basin scale and local scale in many ways, at both the individual and community level and the different basin regions. Due to u/s diversions at Duvva regulator, the contribution from irrigation return flows and base flows has significant effect on quality of stream flows down stream. Further down stream with the confluence of Gosthanadi with Y Drain though there is increase in river flow its quality is dominated by the effluents from Gosthanadi apart from that of irrigation retuen flows and base flows. It is observed that due to unilateral way of providing irrigation for 2 to 3 crops in the with the study area which is part of Godavari delta command area system, there is interference with natural flows in Yerrakalva river and on its drainage, that has gone unnoticed. The water resources department itself is the custodian as conservator of the stream and only should be aware of the importance of allowing sufficient discharges to maintain river eco system. Hence, assuring a secure water future is becoming more costly and increasingly uncertain. To effectively develop and manage water resources from local to national level, there is necessity for stronger collaboration and cooperation across institutional, political and geographic boundaries and by adopting river basin and IWRM approach. In the study, frame work of existing system is reviewed and data analysed to suggest pertinent IWRM plans that are to be approached by WUAs and authorities for better and improved river ecology in the Y drain system.