IWRM 10 Water Governance

EWC-467
Integrated Water Resources Management

IWRM
Course Syllabus
 Introduction and overview of WRS
 Use, Demand, Availability of water
 In-Stream Flow Assessment
 Water allocation and Flood flow and Low flow Analysis
 Water conflicts, Water rights
 Water rights: economic views
 Basin-wide Management and Water sharing
 Water use efficiency & productivity
 GW situation, Management of water demand & use
 Water governance
Water Governance
Water Governance
Water governance refers to the political, social, economic
and administrative systems in place that influence water’s
use and management. Essentially, who gets what water,
when and how, and who has the right to water and related
services, and their benefits.
It determines the equity and efficiency in water resource and

services allocation and distribution, and balances water use
between socio-economic activities and ecosystems.
Water Governance
Governing water includes the formulation, establishment
and implementation of water policies, legislation and
institutions, and clarification of the roles and
responsibilities of government, civil society and the private
sector in relation water resources and services.
The outcomes depend on how the stakeholders act in relation

to the rules and roles that have been taken or assigned to
them.
IWRM Governance of Rivers
Source: www.wallsdesk.com
IWRM: Why and How?
Is a river a stock or a flow?

How we see a river determines
how we will manage it.
IWRM: Shifting Perspectives
Intervention over Flow Regimes
Cause Consequence Effect Overall Verdict
Increase in the scale Interventions into Hardly any river Over the past two
of human economic the natural systems basins or water centuries, humans have
activity. to gain access to resource systems abstracted, dried and
increasing remain that are ecologically degraded
volumes of water. un-intervened. rivers, lakes and
groundwater aquifers.
Neglect of Long-Term Impact
For most of these interventions, we usually focus only on the

short-term economic benefits such as agriculture, industrial,
or energy.
What gets left out are:

• Long-term implications on the ecosystem structure and
functions
• How these interventions impact the health of river
systems and livelihoods linked to them
• Effects on the ecosystem services, i.e. services offered by
the ecosystem to the human society free of cost
• Since the poor rely on the ecosystem services for their
survival and livelihoods, these services are often called
“GDP of the poor”.
Neglect of Long-Term Impact
For most of these interventions, we usually focus only on the

short-term economic benefits such as agriculture, industrial,
or energy.
What gets left out are:

• Long-term implications on the ecosystem structure and
functions
• How these interventions impact the health of river
systems and livelihoods linked to them
• Effects on the ecosystem services, i.e. services offered by
the ecosystem to the human society free of cost
• Since the poor rely on the ecosystem services for their
survival and livelihoods, these services are often called
“GDP of the poor”.
Understanding the Socio-Ecological System
To understand the implications of the interventions, it is important to see the interactivity

between the human society and the ecosystem, though both are parts of the broader
social-ecological system.
Human System
Ecosystem
(Individuals,
(Structures and
Groups, and
Functions)
Institutions)
Both systems are interlinked.
Source: https://www.iconsdb.com/caribbean-blue-icons/recycle-icon.html
The human system exerts pressure on the natural ecosystem

to extract certain benefits for its advantage.
Actions/Interventions
(Logging/Fishing)
Human System
Ecosystem
(Individuals,
(Structures and
Groups, and
Functions)
Institutions)
The natural ecosystem exists through its own structure and functions. It provides these
benefits to the human system for free. These benefits are called Ecosystem Services.
Actions/Interventions
(Logging/Fishing)
Human System
Ecosystem
(Individuals,
(Structures and
Groups, and
Functions)
Institutions)
Ecosystem Services
(Fuel, Fibre, Food,
Water Regulation,
Recreation, etc.)

Understanding Ecosystem Services
MEA defines ecosystem services in 4 categories:
Regulating
Provisioning
Ecosystem
(Structures and
Functions)
Cultural
Supporting Service
Ecosystem Services
(Fuel, Fibre, Food,
Water Regulation,
Recreation, etc.)
We will explore each one in detail.

Provisioning
Ecosystem provides the human system with

quantities of food, fibre, fish, medicinal plants, etc
Ecosystem
free of cost.
(Structures and
Functions)
If the ecosystem did not provide these, then the
human system would have to buy this from the
market.
Ecosystem Services The poor rely on these and a large part of their
(Fuel, Fibre, Food, income is realised from ecosystem services.
Water Regulation,
Recreation, etc.)
Regulating
Ecosystem’s natural functioning also helps to

regulate elements such as carbon
Ecosystem
sequestration, micro-climate and pollution.
(Structures and
Functions)
These are also done by the ecosystem
through its natural functioning.
Example: Think of an ecosystem process

Ecosystem Services such as photosynthesis. Now, through the
(Fuel, Fibre, Food, process of photosynthesis, carbon gets
Water Regulation, sequestered and stored.
Recreation, etc.)
Cultural
This covers tourism, religious services and

similar activities.
Ecosystem
(Structures and
Functions)
Ecosystem Services
(Fuel, Fibre, Food,
Water Regulation,
Recreation, etc.)
Supporting Service
In addition to the other services, the ecosystem

provides an umbrella service known as the
Ecosystem
supporting service. This service supports all three
(Structures and
other ecosystem services.
Functions)
Example: Soil formation
If the ecosystem doesn’t form soil through its natural

Ecosystem Services functioning, then the ecosystem itself would not
(Fuel, Fibre, Food, exist. The ecosystem’s functions and services would
Water Regulation, be lost.
Recreation, etc.)
If the river does not carry sediment, and deposits it
further downstream or in the delta, then the soil
would not be formed. This is a natural functioning of
the river that supports the ecosystem.
Impact of Human Interventions on Ecosystems
Interventions over the working of the ecosystem

have affected the ecosystem functions, economy, and
polity.
Interventions also affect the flow of ecosystem goods
and services.
Here’s how:
• Interventions in the form of construction of
large structures change the hydrological flow
regimes
• Capacity of the ecosystem to provide the
ecosystem services declines
• Eventually the human system, which is reliant on
the ecosystem services, gets deprived of the
ecosystem services
• Critical ecosystem-livelihood linkage is
adversely affected in the long run
River Basin Governance
The various tenets of IRBG has been summarized as the
following:
Incorporation of community and stakeholder participation into
the planning and management processes.
Drafting a long-term river basin vision, through the process of

a consensual agreement among all stakeholders.
An integrated approach toward policy making, decision-

making, and cost-sharing across various sectors including
industry, agriculture, urban development, navigation,
ecosystems, taking into consideration the poverty reduction
strategies.
The various tenets of IRBG has been summarized as the
following:
Decision-making at a macro river-basin-scale should also take
into consideration concerns at the sub-basin or local levels.
Adequate investment by governments, the private sector, and

civil society organisations in capacity for river basin planning
and participation processes.
A comprehensive foundation of knowledge of the river basin

and the natural and socio-economic forces that influence it.
Establishment of a monitoring system.

Definition of Transboundary Waters
A more holistic approach is to define and understand

transboundary waters based on the following three aspects.
Source: www.pexels.com Source: https://pxhere.com/fr/photo/1414415
Geography (Boundaries) Sectoral Distribution Ecosystem Needs

Geography (Boundaries)
The current understanding is that any
form of water body is transboundary
in nature.
The boundaries could be political or

geographical boundaries between
nations, or even within nations,
i.e., states, districts or villages.

Geography (Boundaries)
Example: Ganga is considered

transboundary because it crosses
Uttarakhand to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
and West Bengal. This
transboundariness is across federal states.
At the international level, the
mainstream of Ganga crosses Indian
boundary and flows to Bangladesh.

Sectoral Distribution
Industry, agriculture and urban sectors account
for the maximum usage of water in an economy.
Agriculture accounts for largest

consumption of water.

Ecosystem Needs
Ecosystem needs, services and related
concerns are also important factors in
considering transboundariness.
https://pxhere.com/fr/photo/1414415

Ecosystem Needs
There are currently two major competitors of water use:
and
Economic Sector Ecological Sector

Ecosystem Needs
Because of the extensive use of water in
the economic sector, the environmental
sector is suffering due to a consequent
change in ecosystem structure and
functions and eventual losses in the
ecosystem services.

Seven Tenets of IRBM
IRBM is based on the following tenets. We will explore them one by one.
Community Integrated approach Adequate Establishment of a

Participation towards policy and investment monitoring system
decision making
01 03 05 07
02 04 06
Long-term Incorporation of Comprehensive
Vision sub-basin and local foundation of
issues in a macro-level knowledge
plan
Framework for IRBM
The three pillars that the IRBM is set up on.

Economic Pillar Social Pillar Environmental Pillar
Goal Goal Goal
Efficiency Equity Sustainability
Enabling Managemen
environmen t processes
t Institutional
framework
Community Monitoring
participation system
Investments by
Long-term governments, civil
basin planning Integrated policy society, etc
Interdisciplinary and decision making
knowledge base considering all
scales
However, the institutional framework must assure the goals of these three pillars.
Reductionist Engineering and Farakka Debate
Consequences of the Farakka Barrage: Sundarbans
• Sediment gets deposited upstream of the barrage.
• Large part of the sediment is not reaching the delta

region.
• Therefore, the relative mean sea level (the rise in height

of the ocean relative to the land) is rising, as the soil
formation and renewal by sediment is not occurring in Source: https://globalhealthshare.wordpress.com/tag/sundarban/
the delta region, leading to its shrinkage.
• Due to the combined effect of increasing relative mean

sea level, Saline water is ingressing as well.
• The barrage has also caused the Sundarbans delta to dry

up as during dry season. (Sundarbans is the largest
mangrove in the world).
Source; www.indiapost.com/sundarbans-part-of-worlds-largest-delta-in-west-bengal/
Consequences of the Farakka

Barrage: West Bengal and Bihar
The problem with the management of sediments

has recently taken an ugly turn because of the
floods in the Indian state of Bihar.
https://www.skymetweather.com/content/weather-
news-and-analysis/modi-visits-flood-hit-bihar-today-
Floods inhttps://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-
gallery/814262/bihar-floods-lead-to-massive-
announces-relief-fund/
Bihar devastation-thousands-affected-see-pics/
Floods in Malda, West Bengal

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/assam-flood-over-one-
lakh-people-affected-in-eight-districts-4724836/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/trai
n-services-disrupted-due-to-heavy-rains-in-north-
bengal/articleshow/60047509.cms
Consequences of the Farakka Barrage:

West Bengal and Bihar
This contention seems to have been based on the
backwater effect hypothesis, caused by the
sedimentation in the Farakka, and the consequent
cascading of the sediments upstream of the
barrage.
https://www.skymetweather.com/content/weather-
Floods inhttps://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-
Bihar devastation-thousands-affected-see-pics/

lakh-people-affected-in-eight-districts-4724836/
bengal/articleshow/60047509.cms
Interstate Conflict Regarding Farakka

Source: Remove Farakka
Currently, the silt is blocked by the barrage. http://india-
wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Farakka_Barrage_B0063
9
The Bihar chief minister says that the sediment

build-up upstream of the Farakka barrage
has raised the riverbed. This is worsening
the flood situation.
It also diverts the water meant for the Bhagirathi-

https://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-
Hooghly branch of the Ganga into a narrow https://www.skymetweather.com/content/weather-
Floods in Bihar
devastation-thousands-affected-see-pics/
channel in Malda district of West Bengal.

Therefore, this leads to bank erosion
and flooding.

lakh-people-affected-in-eight-districts-4724836/ bengal/articleshow/60047509.cms
Removal of Farakka is not the Solution
Removal will dry out large parts of non-tidal West Bengal including Kolkata.
Kolkata’s issues regarding drinking water and sanitation have been reduced.
The barrage has not only resuscitated the surface water flow in the channel, but may have also ensured groundwater
recharge.
Removal of the barrage will negatively affect the populace and ecosystem services in this part of the state, leading to
resistance, and possibly conflict.
Source: www.pixabay.com
However, more information and

scientific evidence is required to
come up with strong contentions.
Cauvery Water Dispute: Economic Drivers of Conflict
Economics plays a very important part of the conflict that has not been addressed so far.
• Paddy is the most water consuming crop grown in the regions of

Karnataka.
• Acreage for paddy increased by 25% in the part of the basin occupied by
Karnataka between 1981 and 1999.
Ragi to Paddy
• Minimum Selling Price (MSP) moved the “terms of trade” from Ragi to
paddy. Farmers started growing more rice, thereby needing more water.
• PDS has been selling rice at a much lower price than other staple crops,
thereby shifting consumption towards rice.
• Real cost of irrigation waters is diminishing.

Need for a Transboundary River Basin Management Organisation
Both these examples, the Cauvery dispute and the

Farakka barrage, indicate a need to set up
transboundary river basin organisations.
This organisation would have proper authorisation to

resolve disputes and will have adequate
representation of all stakeholders.
This would ensure that the issues related to the

river basin are considered holistically, and meet
the criteria of social equity, economic efficiency
and ecological sustainability.

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EWC-467

Integrated Water Resources Management

It determines the equity and efficiency in water resource and

The outcomes depend on how the stakeholders act in relation

Is a river a stock or a flow?

Cause Consequence Effect Overall Verdict

For most of these interventions, we usually focus only on the

What gets left out are:

For most of these interventions, we usually focus only on the

What gets left out are:

To understand the implications of the interventions, it is important to see the interactivity

Both systems are interlinked.

The human system exerts pressure on the natural ecosystem

Both systems are interlinked.

Both systems are interlinked.

MEA defines ecosystem services in 4 categories:

We will explore each one in detail.

Ecosystem provides the human system with

Ecosystem’s natural functioning also helps to

Example: Think of an ecosystem process

This covers tourism, religious services and

In addition to the other services, the ecosystem

If the ecosystem doesn’t form soil through its natural

Interventions over the working of the ecosystem

Drafting a long-term river basin vision, through the process of

An integrated approach toward policy making, decision-

Adequate investment by governments, the private sector, and

A comprehensive foundation of knowledge of the river basin

Establishment of a monitoring system.

A more holistic approach is to define and understand

Source: www.pexels.com Source: https://pxhere.com/fr/photo/1414415

Geography (Boundaries) Sectoral Distribution Ecosystem Needs

The boundaries could be political or

Geography (Boundaries) Sectoral Distribution Ecosystem Needs

Example: Ganga is considered

Geography (Boundaries) Sectoral Distribution Ecosystem Needs

Agriculture accounts for largest

Geography (Boundaries) Sectoral Distribution Ecosystem Needs

Geography (Boundaries) Sectoral Distribution Ecosystem Needs

Economic Sector Ecological Sector

Geography (Boundaries) Sectoral Distribution Ecosystem Needs

Geography (Boundaries) Sectoral Distribution Ecosystem Needs

Community Integrated approach Adequate Establishment of a

The three pillars that the IRBM is set up on.

Goal Goal Goal

Efficiency Equity Sustainability

Consequences of the Farakka Barrage: Sundarbans

• Sediment gets deposited upstream of the barrage.

• Large part of the sediment is not reaching the delta

• Therefore, the relative mean sea level (the rise in height

the delta region, leading to its shrinkage.

• Due to the combined effect of increasing relative mean

• The barrage has also caused the Sundarbans delta to dry

Consequences of the Farakka

The problem with the management of sediments

Floods in Malda, West Bengal

Consequences of the Farakka Barrage:

Floods in Malda, West Bengal