April-June 2013 - Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies

Commentary
Water Conflicts in South Asia: Lessons from the Alwar River Parliament
Roomana Hukil
Research Officer, IReS, IPCS
The much articulated and sensationalised meeting of
November 2012 was unsuccessful to offer respite with
respect to the Cauvery water row between Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu. As envisaged, the Chief Ministers of both states
were incompetent in addressing the principle theme of the
meeting – to discuss the issue within the larger context of
farmers directly affected by the issue, and seeking a final
settlement between both states. For years, regulatory
mechanisms including the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) and
the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) have been unable
to offer either of the states any compliance on ruling.
What does the status quo imply for the current plight of the
farmers and the future course of the issue? Is there an existing
model within India or South Asia that could be used as a
template to address the Cauvery Water row? Could the Alwar
River Parliament be considered a suitable case study in the
context of the Cauvery, which could look into the possibility of
establishing a constitutional mechanism for efficient water
governance by both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka?
Alwar River Parliaments: A Case Study
Assessing the water paradigm of the Arvari River in Rajasthan
in 1985 can help in identifying an excellent example of
effective resource revival. Before the leadership of water
conservationist, Rajender Singh, the Arvari waterway was a
dead river. This was attributed to the mineral extraction and
logging that had decimated the forestry of the region and
damaged the entire watershed. As a result, the entire
watercourse and farmland had completely dried up. More so,
floods caused by monsoon rains became perennial; due to
which villagers abandoned their johads or rainwater storage
tanks thus leading to acute water shortages.
In these circumstances, Singh established community-led
institutions in each village in the region; from Gram Sabhas to
Mahila Banks and River Parliaments. One of the most
successful developments was the introduction of the Alwar
River Parliament that was not only garnered in the interest of
reviving the defunct watercourse, but also to establish
effective water governance that would prevent future crises
from taking place. With a view to meet escalating village
requirements, Rajender Singh initiated rural development
and employment generation, whereby integrating water
conservation as his primary motive at Gopalpura village. He
built 8600 johads in 1058 villages spread over 6500 sq.km. Out
of these, 3500 were built by the Tarun Bhagat Singh NGO and
as an aftereffect, the local community was motivated enough
to build the remaining 5100 structures. The area covered
parts of the contiguous districts of Alwar, Dausa, Sawai
Madhopur, Karoli and Jaipur. As a result, five seasonal rivers –
the Ruparel, Arvari, Sarsa, Bhagani and Jahajwali – in the
northeast region of Rajasthan became perennial.
However, after regenerating the rivers, the Rajasthan state
government gave fishing contracts to locals and outsiders in
certain stretches of the Arvari River. Singh feared a derailment
in his graph and consequently, in order to protect the river
from ill effects, the Arvari River Parliament - a decentralised
power model - was introduced in 72 villages located on the
riverbanks of the Arvari River.
The idea of the Parliament was to safeguard and uphold the
integrated water management efforts of the community for
the river catchment. It comprised of two representatives from
each village. Till today, it constitutes one of the eleven rules
that pertain to the use of the river, water management,
extraction or sale of the river water, revival of traditional
methods for conservation, propagating equitable
distribution, accessibility of the water resource, etc. A
coordination committee comprising members selected by the
Parliament handles operations and ensures compliance with
the rules. Though this River Parliament has no legal status and
its decisions are not legally binding, the moral force of the
people makes its survival possible.
Cauvery: Lessons from Alwar
In the context of the Cauvery River, a marked correlation of
activities can be vividly drawn from the example of the Alwar
River Project. Despite socio-economic, political and
demographic differences between the two Rivers, certain
achievements still paramount a relationship. Looking at the
current water dynamics of the South, establishing a
centralised parliamentary system, solely governed by the
state, may seem to offer some respite. Constitutionally,
recognising such a set-up would ensure equitable distribution
and access to waterways.
Water expert, B.G Verghese, advocates the need for
catchment basin management for the Cauvery water dispute.
“One of the ways for resolving the Cauvery challenge is by
looking at the Water Parliament models of Alwar. The efforts
towards water conservation have had numerous positive
impacts on the communities inhabiting these areas. The
Cauvery issue requires a holistic approach to our water
environment. It is essential to revamp our outmoded systems
and look into the intricate fabrics of the structure”. As in the
case of Alwar, establishing Water Parliaments for the Cauvery,
instituting autonomous state control, pricing river water,
extensively engaging consumer (farmer) participation and so
on, are among the few alternatives that look into providing a
sense of relief to the issue.
South Asia Plus 9