DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES IN THAR DESERT

 

 DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES IN THAR DESERT

 

M K Marri, & Ramoon Mal

 

ABSTRACT:

 

Thar Desert of Sindh covers an area of about 22000 km² of reworked sand dunes, a thickly populated desert of the world having a  population of about 1.4 million people  living in this area with 65 persons/km² and 6.5 million animals. The water resources in the area are very scarce and dependant on rainfall, which annually ranges between 25 - 300 mm and is erratic. The groundwater in 85% of the area is highly saline with EC more than 3 dS m^-1 and 15% of the groundwater is of marginal quality having EC ranging between 1.5 and 2.0 dSm^-1. Groundwater table depth ranges from 8 to 61 m below ground surface. Rainfall in Thar is not dependable; therefore it is necessary to recharge and exploit the groundwater for domestic and agriculture purposes.  Overcome or manage the encountered constraints and to uplift the living standard of the people, imperatively to utilize the available water resources of the Thar Desert. Baanhn Beli (NGO) launched a pilot project entitled “Participatory Natural Resource Management for Drought Mitigation and Food Security in Tharparkar District” (NRM), under sustainable land management project (SLMP) supported by UNDP and initiated other different development projects. The particular feature of the pilot project was to conserve rainwater for drinking and agriculture with the active participation of local communities, introduce adoptable field interventions and prepare site specific land use plans after in depth analysis of existing land, water resources and plan for future. The organization mobilized local communities, carried out comprehensive survey documented the existing status of land and water resources, agriculture activities and effective utilization of available resources, established the demonstration sites in Thar and Parkar. New irrigation techniques have been introduced for utilizing ground water for the cultivation of value added crops and water resources have been managed on area to area basis by constructing dug wells, tarais, tankas, retention dams, earthen bunds and installed solar pumps. This paper discusses the existing situation and water use practices in Thar and Parkar and implemented works in the light of NRM project and under other water related development programs, improved strategies and better site specific management practices.

 

 

Key Words:         Thar Desert Sindh drought, desertification, rainwater harvesting, tarais, tankas, dug wells, installation of solar pumps, retention dams, earthen bunds and high efficiency irrigation systems, NRM Project.

___________________________________________________________________________

 

Manager Programs, President and Director Baanhn Beli

Email: baanhnbelinagar@yahoo.com

Website: www.baanhnbeli.org.pk

 

INTRODUCTION

Pakistan is predominantly a dry land country where majority of its population depend upon its 80% arid and semi arid land for their livelihood. Due to unsustainable land management practices, the land resource is being severely degraded. The increasing demand of natural resources by ever increasing human and livestock population and climate change has further aggravated the desertification process. In order to address these problems the Ministry of Environment, Government of Pakistan sponsored a project titled “Sustainable Land Management to Combat Desertification in Pakistan” in the arid areas of all the four provinces of the country in II phases. The project is financed by GEF, UNDP and GOP on cost-sharing basis. One of the objectives of Phase-I of the project was to test different SLM practices through site specific pilot projects. In Sindh, two pilot projects were implemented and the pilot project implemented in district Tharparkar was titled as “Participatory Natural Resource Management for Drought Mitigation and Food Security in Tharparkar District”.

The Tharparkar district, a part of Great Indian Desert is spread over about 22,000 km2 and stretches over 140 km East-West and over 160 km North-South. It is located in the South East Corner of Sindh province and extends to Rajistan desert in India. Predominantly, the economy of the area is pastoral followed by rain-fed agriculture. The sand dunes form steep ridges and their height and length ranges between 15 to 100 m and 5 to 16 km respectively. Topographically the highest part of the area lies in the North-East along the Indian border with gentle slopes towards the Indus plain (West) and towards the Runn of Kutch (South). The inter-dune narrow valleys/ elongated flat depressions contain comparatively higher amount of silt and clay deposits and are cultivated in rainy season. The average rainfall of district and Taluka Nagarparkar is 405 mm and 281 mm respectively (Table No.1) and is mainly received in monsoon season. The temperature exceeds 45o C in May and June and sand laden hot and velocity winds make the living conditions miserable. Droughts are common, every three to four years, the scarcity of water and grasslands which force the local people and their cattle for temporarily migration to canal irrigated areas. Due to these unfavourable conditions, this area is called Thar Desert, but the amount of rainfall received, plenty of tree growth, and its resilience capacity even after prolonged droughts to produce plenty of food grains and tall palatable tall grasses indicates that it is not a desert but an arid area.

The sandy dunes in Thar Desert are stable but vegetation cover is reducing at an alarming rate due to uncontrolled grazing, plowing of sandy dunes and removal of vegetation due to population pressure. Therefore, the primary focus of the pilot project was to test suitable interventions for better management of rangeland & vegetation cover and conserving rainwater for drinking and agriculture with the active participation of local communities and line agencies.

The project was jointly implemented by the Baanhn Beli an NGO and Sindh Forest Department as an Implementing Partners (IPs) under an agreement signed with PCU-SLMP, Sindh on 02.11.2009. The project activities were spread in 10 villages of Taluka N. Parkar and one village of Taluka Chachhro of Tharparkar district.

The pilot project followed community based approach and to meet its the specific objectives, (i) To Mobilize local communities to combat land degradation and desertification (ii) To carry out comprehensive survey document the existing status of land and water resources (iii) To conserve and promote soil & water resources (iv) To introduce new irrigation techniques for utilizing ground water for the cultivation of value added crops. (v) Introduce participatory land use planning at village level. Eleven CBOs were established / activated, 100 community activists were trained in NRM/SLM and in their collaboration, a comprehensive survey was conducted and existing status of land and water resources was recorded in ten villages.  About 50 dug wells            were selected for collection of basic information, location, diameter, well depth, depth to water table, water column and water quality. Demonstration sites were established in ten villages. Different field activities started at demonstration sites i.e. Rain Water Harvesting ponds, dug wells, tarais, tankas, retention dams, earthen bunds, solar pumps and Installation of High Efficiency Irrigation (sprinkler) System. Developing viable techniques of rainwater harvesting four earthen ponds of various sizes constructed in suitable catchments areas of Talukas Nagarparkar, (Villages, Sukhpur, Sabusan and Wadan jo wandio) to store rainwater to be used for human being for about a year. Exploiting the ground water four shallow dug wells constructed in fresh water zones of Villages Oan, Sukhpur, Wadan jo Wandio and Rarkuo to utilize ground water for human and animals drinking purpose and grow vegetables, fruit trees, installed four solar pumps for irrigated agriculture and drinking purposes and developed one thousand feet earthen bunds to retain rain water for cultivation of cereal crops on residual moisture. 

This paper deals with rain water harvesting techniques and management, groundwater recharge and availability, appropriate water saving practices and adopting innovative irrigation systems growing value added crops and water management practices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.     Rainfall

The source of fresh water in Tharparkar is rainfall, which showers in June-September in normal years and varies between 25 -300 mm. The rainfall is not uniform all over Thar Desert. The drought is common after every three to four years. Taluka wise rainfall data of twenty five years measured at Chhor is given in Table. 1

Table 1. Taluka wise Twenty Five Years Rain Fall Data of District Tharparkar ( mm )

Year	Nagarparkar	Diplo	Mithi	Chachro	Dist. Av.
1991	86	43	31	21	45
1992	629	317	560	268	444
1993	327	250	110	132	205
1994	977	592	172	485	557
1995	281	89	122	390	221
1996	233	35	61	171	125
1997	484	153	145	87	217
1998	611	725	144	231	428
1999	1018	29	55	24	282
2000	110	132	67	77	97
2001	165	141	58	50	104
2003	268	287	339	139	258
2004	55	43	6	14	30
2005	144	56	98	22	80
2006	770	717	672	347	627
2007	174	157	102	14	122
2008	436	354	340	287	354
2009	145	195	217	45	151
2010	561	550	542	425	519
2011	1049	1200	1327	1158	1183
2012	365	228	312	180	271
2013	741	183	177	215	329
2014	155	45	98	42	85
2015	350	450	272	173	311
Average	405	280	241	200	281

Five Maximum Rain Fall Years out of twenty five Years District Tharparkar

2.      Rain Water Availability for Storage

The rainfall data reveals that proper storages and management of rain water harvesting in Thar Desert, will be enough for drinking purposes of 1.4 million people and 6.5 million livestock for one year period.

 

 

3.      Rain Water Harvesting and Retention

Rainfall the main source of water in Thar Desert is not dependable, so the collection, preservation and utilization methods of this precise resource are to be taken. Irregular rainfall periods are followed by long drought periods and the high evaporation and evapotranspiration are due to high temperature, which ranges from 30-45oC. This dries the surface water reservoirs and shallow groundwater aquifers. The source for drinking and livestock is only the deep wells. The people of Tharparkar often use water from deep wells for drinking and for their livestock. A huge area of 3 million acres of fertile land is lying as desert in Tharparkar in which some development activities can be planned and could be carried out through  proper management of rainwater and exploitation of groundwater. The following water exploitation methods have been adopted and recommended on scientific grounds.

 

 

 

 

3.1       Pond / Tarais

The tarais or ponds could be constructed in all areas simultaneously in addition to dug wells and ponds especially in Parkar area that saves time, labour and money for 6-12 months depending upon the composition of soil in the tarais. Generally, people and animals drink water from same tarai, which is hazardous for human consumption. Size of tarais would depend on catchments area. These could be developed in North to South Thar. Although the evaporation rate is high in Tharparkar area with increase in depth of storage reservoir methods could be used for this area four earthen ponds (150x150x20) size constructed Nagarparkar field area. A pacca inlet was constructed for collection of water and communities were asked for thorn fencing to avoid animals

 

3.2       Tankas

The underground tankas could be constructed in Dhat and Wat areas where deep groundwater is saline and surface is sandy. To harvest roof top water of houses and other school, hospital, buildings with some chemical treatment these would work properly. Ash of saltbush as plaster inside prevents bacterial growth and water remains fresh for whole year.

Since rainwater collected in tarais last for few months and is polluted by animals, underground pacca covered tanks are also constructed for storage of rainwater for drinking purposes in areas where underground water is deep and saline.  To support communities and their livestock, 2 such covered tanks of 16’x10’x10’ size with hand pumps for drawing water were constructed in Janjhier village of project area.

 

3.3  Retention Dams.

The retention dams could be built in Karoonghar hills to store rainwater and recharge the downstream aquifers. Karoonghar hills are existed in the middle of Parkar area. Retention dams could be successfully built in Karoonjhar to store rainwater and recharge the downstream aquifers. There are small rivers in the hills which discharge rainwater to Runn of Katchh. These hills cover an area of 400 sq km, which have big capacity to store rainwater, these ephemeral rivers which would be enough to face a drought for four years.  Baanhn Beli has constructed five retention dams, which are successfully recharging the downstream aquifers. The Baanhn Beli model is replicated by Government of Sindh under small dam’s projects and other NGOs i.e caritas Pakistan and TRDP. The length, depth and height of dams would depend on the nature of river to be plugged. Marri and Chang (2000) suggested that at least eight such dams could be constructed on Karoonjhar hills from which 2500 acres of land would be benefited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.      Earthen Bunds

Construction of water harvested bunds / Laths for barani cultivation. The area along the Rann of Kuchh is plain and the composition of their soil is suitable for agriculture and underground water is saline. Earthen bunds/Laths are constructed to obstruct runoff, retain rain water percolate in the soil and moisture regime is improved for the cultivation of barani crops. Now people harvest two sorghum crops (green and dry) after short rainy season. 2000ft earthen bunds are constructed for promoting barani agriculture.

 

 

 

5.      Groundwater Resources.

 

5.1       Depth of Groundwater.

The water table in Thar ranges from 20 to 45 meter. In Parker area water table is comparatively shallow ranging between 6 and 30 m below ground surface. The water table near the coast and Runn of Kachh is at 5 to 20 m, whereas in Samroti and Kantho it lies between 20 and 80 m and in North and North-East the groundwater is deep (Panhwar, M.H. 1969). Therefore, exploitation of groundwater depends on area to area basis. Marri and Chang (2000) reported that the average water table depth in Kasbo area of Nagarparkar was at 9.5 m before construction of Seengro dam of Karoonjhar hills but after dam construction it was raised to 6.40 m. The water table fluctuated seasonally. It rose in rainy season in the months of August-January and downward movement started from March to April and finally dries in the months of May and June.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.2       Groundwater Quality.

Groundwater quality in coastline (Wat) area and middle (Samroti) Thar is marginal with salinity level ranging between 2 to 3 dS/m. whereas in North and North-East it is saline, however some pockets of shallow and fresh water also exist in this area. Marri and Chang (2000) reported that there were seasonal fluctuations in groundwater quality in Kasbo area of Nagarparkar but the Seengro dam construction resulted in stability in groundwater quality, which was fresh. The salinity level of groundwater in Thar Desert varies from site to site. About 15 percent of groundwater has EC between 2 and 3 dS/m, 65 percent has between 3 and 5 dS/m and 20 percent has more than 5 dS/m. Fresh and useable quality groundwater could be pumped out from the 15 percent available groundwater and utilized for drinking of human being and livestock. The useable groundwater is available along the India-Pakistan border in the eastern side of Thar Desert and around the Karoonjhar hills in Parkar area. The total quantity of groundwater coming under useable quality is about 11 million-acre feet. The recharge of this water is about 3 to 5 mm per year, which is negligible. Under these conditions this water should be used scientifically and very carefully for gaining potential benefits. Deep tube wells could be installed in 65 percent groundwater area using solar energy, having EC between 3 to 5 dS/m for growing fruit trees, forage and grain crops in an area of 0.15 million acres. According to a survey conducted by Alam et al [3] the total soluble salts of the groundwater in Thar Desert range between 0.407 dS/m to 6.1 dS/m and water level varies from 8 to 61 meters below ground surface. The pH is reported to range between 7.1 and 8.6 and sodium is observed as the dominant cat ion ranging between 28 and 3600 parts per million.

 

5.3       Dug wells.

Due to variation in groundwater depth and water quality, exploitation of groundwater depends on area-to-area basis. Dug wells would not be successful in deeper aquifers. The construction of dug wells is recommendable in fresh and shallow water areas of Mithi, Diplo and Nagarparkar. The depth of these dug wells may be up to 200 ft at the maximum. As described earlier, small scale intensive agriculture is practiced in Parkar area around Karunjhar hill by lifting shallow sweet water. This water is not ground water, but seepage water and cannot be pumped through tubewells. Hence, 10’-12’ wide RCC dug well are constructed, where this water is collected and pumped on daily basis after rainy season. To support food security, 6 RCC dug wells were constructed in project area under this pilot project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.      Preparation of Participatory Land Use Plan

 

Land Use Plans were prepared for each of the seven villages with the support and participation of the CBOs and technical support provided by Implementing Partners. Implementation on these site specific land use plans was initiated to overcome LD&D issue on sustained basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Site Specific Land use Plans

 

 

 

7.      High Efficiency Irrigation System.

Installation of Sprinkler Irrigation Systems has been on about 8 acres of land for growing fruit plants, cultivation of vegetable crops and grasses. Plots were prepared for cultivation of onion and chillies under sprinkler irrigation system and cluster bean and Mong bean under rain water residual moisture during the monsoon season.

 

 

8.      Installation of solar water pumps for agriculture and drinking.

After rainy season, the source of water for drinking is sub-soil water which is drawn by draft animals and human beings. It requires lot of labour, time and cost for getting drinking water for human beings and their livestock. Likewise, shallow sub-soil water for agriculture is pumped through diesel operated lift engines. Increasing cost of diesel and more water required for sandy soils has greatly discouraged the small scale intensive agriculture in Parkar area that provides employment and produces bumper crops of wheat, red chillies, onion and other vegetable crops. Although, initial cost of solar pumps is comparatively high, but there is no any operation and maintenance cost for years to come. Cultivation of crops on shallow sub-soil water will be promoted if the main input of water is provided free of cost. This shallow sub-soil water on granite rock bed is not permanent ground water and will drain downward to Rann of Kutch if not used in time.  The cost of solar pumps is coming down internationally and will be more economical if they are introduced extensively in the area. Hence, 4 solar pumps for drinking and agriculture were installed in the project area in Rarkua, Sukhpur, Kasbo and Mane jo Wandhio villages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS.

 

1.                     The rain water may be harvested effectively and utilized judiciously by developing retention dam in Karoonjhar hills, open tarais in Parkar area and underground tankas in Dhat and Khaur.

2.                     Rainwater harvesting techniques may be introduced on community level constructing ponds just to store rainwater in sufficient quantity to fulfil yearly drinking requirement of human and animals.

3.                     Under ground water resources in Thar Desert may be explored thoroughly. For this purpose a comprehensive ground water survey may be carried out under which water level depths, water quality and quantity be determined. This may be exploited through a net work of deep wells and dug wells according to site specific conditions.

4.                     As the water is scarce in the area and most of the ground water is either saline or saline-sodic, therefore for successful growth of plants and grasses most advanced techniques such as use of sprinkler and drip irrigation may be practiced.

5.                     In areas where ground water quality is comparatively good, advance irrigation techniques such as trickle, sprinkler and bubbler irrigation systems may be adopted for value added crops cultivation.

6.                     To meet the energy requirements in remote areas of Thar Desert solar energy systems may be applied.

7.                     For saline agriculture fruit trees (ber, lemon, guava,datepalm, and food crops Millet, Barley and wheat may be cultivated.

 

REFERENCES

1.                     Ahmed, I. (1965). Criteria for the Evaluation of the Quality of Irrigation Water and Their Relationship with Physiology of Salt Tolerance. Potash Review, Berne, Switzerland.

2.                     Ahmed R., and Zaibun Nisa A. (1978) "Prospects of Using Brackish Water for Irrigation on Sandy Soils of Pakistan", Proceeding Workshop/Seminar on Membrane Biophysics and Salt Tolerance in Plants, Faisalabad Pakistan, p. 147.

3.                     Alam, S.M., S. Ahmed, A.R. Azmi, S.S.M. Naqvi, and R. Sultana. (1988) "Composition of Under Ground Water From Southern Part of Tharparker Desert for Cultivation of Crops", Pakistan J. Sci.Ind.Res., Vol. 31, No. 12.

4.                     Chang, M.H. & M.K. Marri, (1988) "Performance of Trickle and Pitcher Irrigation Systems", Paper presentation in International Seminar, DRIP, Tando Jam.

5.                     Davis, G.J. Jones, C.Z. Lunney and G.M. Clar, (1974) "Inhibition of Sodium Chloride Toxicity in Seedlings of Myriophyllum Spicatum L. With Calcium", Plant and Cell Physiol, 15:577-581.

6.                     Kausar, A.M., Z. Aslam, M. Naqvi, (1986) "Kallar Grass-A Plant for Saline Land", NIAB, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

7.                     Kovda, V.A., Yaron, B. and Shalhevet, Y., (1973) "Irrigation Drainage and Salinity", An International Source Book, FAO/UNSECO, P. 177.

8.                     Marri, M.K. and M.H. Chang, (2000) "Impact of Seengro Retention Dam on the Groundwater Recharge and Economic Development Around Karoonjhar Hills", Proceeding of Regional Groundwater Management Seminar October 9-11, 2000 Islamabad, Pakistan Water Partnership (PWP):   183-193.

9.                     Memon, M.I. and N.M. Shahni (1988), Survey and Domesticaton of wild Medical Plants of Sindh, Final Research Report SAU, Tando Jam : 23

10.                   Panhwar, M.H. (1969), Groundwater in Hyderabad and Khairpur Division, Department of Agriculture, Sindh, Hyderabad : 61

11.                   Rhoades, J.D., (1983) "A Paper for International Workshop on Salt Affected Soils of Latin America", International Society of Soil Science Society of Venezuela, Oct. 23-30.

12.                   Robert, S.A., (1977) "Quality of Water for Irrigation", J. Irrigation and Drainage Division, Proc. ASCE, Vol. 103, No. IR2, June p. 140.

13.                   Tripathi, B.R. and B. Pal, (1980) "The Quality of Irrigation Water and Its Effect on Soil Characteristics on the Performance of Wheat", International Symposium on Salt Affected Soils held in Karnal, India.

14.                   Van Hoorn, J.W., (1971) "Quality of Irrigation Water, "Limits of Use and Prediction of Long Term Effects", Irrigation and Drainage Paper 7, Salinity Seminar Baghdad, FAO, Rome, P. 116.