The Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation inaugurated the 4th India Water Week 2016 on April 4, 2016 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The theme this year is 'Water for All: Striving Together' and it will be held until April 8, 2016. Targeting an international and national audience--the Israeli government is a partner--the event aims to create awareness on the efficient use of water across all sectors through a multi-disciplinary conference and a concurrently running exhibition.
The Chhattisgarh Government had set a target to sow rabi crops in 1.7 million hectares this year. However, sowing has only been completed in 92% of the targeted acreage. Scanty rainfall during the kharif season is being blamed for this, and it has also affected the irrigation potential of the canals and reservoirs across the state. The state is also reeling under severe water crisis as 117 out of 150 tehsils have been declared drought-hit.
Owing to the prolonged dry spell and lack of rains, the Godavari river, which is a perennial source of water in Telangana, has become totally dry for the first time in 50 years, rendering those dependent on it like farmers, washermen, boat men and fishermen jobless. In Maharashtra, passing through Chandori village, the river has gone dry resurfacing several temples. This has happened for the third time In the past 100 years, with the first time in 1936 and second in 1982.
The Uttar Pradesh sugar mills are at an advantage this year as the acute water crisis in Maharashtra will affect sugar output in the state. The sugar output is likely to fall to around 83 lakh tonnes in Maharashtra and this situation might lead to UP becoming the nation's top producer of sugar. However, despite drought in the state, there are reports of sugar factories in Maharashtra that have been lifting water from the rivers on the state government's watch. In consideration to the drought, there have been demands of shifting IPL matches from Maharashtra as a standard cricket field requires a minimum of 80,000 to 1,00,000 litres of water per application.
Per NITI Ayog, the agricultural sector in the country can grow upto 6% if normal monsoon is observed in 2016-17. This inference is based on an agricultural growth rate of 8.6% received in the year 2010-11 after the consecutive drought of 2008-09 and 2009-10. Moreover, the drought of 2009 was one of the worst that the country has suffered in 37 years. The arrival of an on-time monsoon with a normal spread will lead to more area under cultivation leading to more production and hence, increased growth.
This is a roundup of important news updates from March 29 - April 4, 2016. Also read last week's policy matters update.
Lead Image Source: Embassy of Israel via Flickr