| Introduction: |
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The problem of salinity in coastal areas is a national problem and requires detailed studies in all the coastal states. The development of such areas- requires special attention because they have remained neglected since long and the developmental efforts of the post-independence plan era have also not generally reached there for want of proper strategy, infrastructure and impediments due to backwardness. |
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Report on Development of Coastal Areas Affected by Salinity,
(NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BACKWARD AREAS)
Planning Commission, Government of India, New Delhi |
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Though the need for special effort for saline area has been recognized since the last two decades, it continues to be a major concern for the country especially in the coastal areas. In 2004, National Commission of Farmers revealed in its report that the ecological foundations of sustainable agriculture such as land, water, biodiversity, forests and the atmosphere are under varying degrees of anthropogenic pressures. Water table is going down and land degradation and soil Salinization are on the rise. The commission has recommended that the economy of coastal villages needs to be strengthened through sustainable use of natural resources. The Parthasarthy Committee in its report on the viable strategies/mechanisms for meaningful implementation of DPAP, DDP and IWDP has identified the Coastal area of Gujarat as a special area and has suggested that the present guidelines for watershed development may not be exactly feasible for implementation and special provisions in the guidelines for watershed development in these areas need to be introduced. |
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Gujarat has the longest coastline of all the states in India - 1,600 km (one third of the total Indian Coastline of 4,800 km). Sea water ingress which was observed to a distance of 2.5 - 4.5 km from the coast in 1971 had encroached inland to a distance of 5.0 - 7.5 km. from the coast in 1977. An increase in the ratio of CL / CO3, HCO3 was also noted towards the coast, indicating considerable mixing of seawater with local ground water. Due to this, both quality and crop yields in the coastal belts of Saurashtra and Kutch, known for cultivation of high value cash crops (rice, wheat, sugarcane, mango, coconut, garden vegetables, etc.) decreased to one-tenth to one-third of the original yields. The problems related to Sea water ingress is attributed to several factors like large scale ground water extraction for agriculture as well as industrial purposes, intensive mining activity. |
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Unlike most other coastal regions, Gujarat coast receives low rainfall, ranging from 400 mm to 800 mm annually, which is highly unevenly distributed across the coast. The coast also has highly deep geological formations with salt laden winds of high velocity blowing from the sea. Historically, some of the coastal and inland areas in Gujarat were under the sea many years ago, with the result that there is inherent salinity prevailing in several parts of the region. And lastly, the higher growth of population in the coastal region and the higher rate of urbanization has exerted an additional pressure on the coast |
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Over a period of time, the problem of salinity is attaining serious proportions and continues to severely affect the lives and livelihood of about 1/5 (10 million) of the total population of the state, living in approximately 1500 villages. The process of salinity ingress has adversely affected underground water aquifers making it unfit for human consumption. Moreover, the prolonged use of saline ground water for irrigation has led to a decline in agricultural and horticulture productivity and soil fertility, rendering the land unsuitable for future cultivation. This has resulted in all round hardship to local people forcing them to migrate in search of livelihood. |
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| Extent of Salinity in the coastal villages of Saurashtra & Kutch |
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In response to the problem, Government of Gujarat as well as civil society organizations has taken up various initiatives on different parts of the coasts of Saurashtra and Kutch. It is hoped that the effective results of their pioneering efforts would not only improve the quality of life of the people living in salinity affected areas of Gujarat, but would also make a significant contribution in formulation and implementation of policies and programmes at state as well as national level. |
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| Kharash Vistarotthan Yojana: |
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Since 2002, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, along with its partner organizations, launched an initiative “Kharash Vistarotthan Yojana (KVY)”, earlier known as the “Gujarat Coastal Salinity Prevention & Mitigation Initiative”. The partner organizations for the Phase-I (2002-2005) of the programme included AKRSP (I) and (ACF). In phase-II (2005 onwards) two new partner NGOs - VRTI and TCRDS joined the programme. In 2007, VIKAS – Centre for Development through its Salinity Resource Centre initiative is the fifth partner under the KVY initiative. Cumulatively, the above five partners has a direct intervention in over 120 villages across the salinity affected villages of coastal Saurashtra and Kutch. |
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These organizations under KVY, are implementing field projects in their respective work areas along the coast of Saurashtra and Kutch with the aim to develop area-specific models for managing salinity, which could then be up-scaled or replicated. |
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| Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell (CSPC) |
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In recognition of the complexity and the multi-faceted nature of the problems of coastal salinity, it was felt that an effective solution required joint efforts of both, government and civil society organizations, which would be possible through an umbrella organization. Consequently, in February 2005, the Trust operationalized a three year project to set up the Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell (CSPC), Ahmedabad. |
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| Operationalized in April 2005, CSPC through its various activities strives to: |
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| 1. |
network with individuals, groups and concerned government departments; |
| 2. |
facilitate efforts of individuals, civil society institutions and concerned departments through technical and professional support by providing extension, training, media, exposure visits and education inputs; |
| 3. |
generate awareness amongst people in project areas and educate them directly or through civil society organizations about the problems of salinity, need for judicious use of water, improved water saving technologies, etc.; |
| 4. |
develop products for dissemination of research and improved practices for effective communication and awareness generation; |
| 5. |
promote research and studies on specific issues related to salinity; |
| 6. |
pilot innovative projects, advise and support other agencies in project implementation; |
| 7. |
mobilize funds through grants, government programs, consultancies, etc. |
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In short, the envisaged role of CSPC is to a) network among institutions, b) facilitate action and c) leverage resources at various levels, in order to understand, articulate and address the issue of salinity in the context of sustainable development of the affected people and region. |
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| Major factors Guiding the Programme Planning Processes |
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| A: understanding The Characteristics of the Coastal Regions in Gujarat |
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Gujarat’s coastal region can be divided in to three zones, namely, Kachchh Saurashtra and mainland Gujarat. Out of the total 25 districts of the state, 12 are located on the coast. |
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| Table 1 Coastal Districts and Coastal Talukas in Gujarat |
Sr. No |
Name of District |
Sr.No |
Name of Taluka |
Sr. No |
Name of District |
Sr.No |
Name of Taluka |
1 |
Ahmedabad |
1
2 |
Dhandhuka
Dholaka |
7 |
Kheda |
1 |
Khambhat |
2 |
Jamnagar |
1
2
3
4
5
6 |
Jamnagar
Lalpur
Kalyanpur
Okhamandal
Khambhaliya
Jodiya |
8 |
Bharuch |
1
2
3
4
5 |
Bharuch
Ankleshvar
Hansot
Vagra
Jambasar |
3 |
Rajkot |
1 |
Maliya |
9 |
Surat |
1
2 |
Chorasi
Olpad |
4 |
Bhavnagar |
1
2
3
4 |
Bhavnagar
Ghogha
Talaja
Mahuwa |
10 |
Valsad |
1
2
3
4
5 |
Valsad
Paradi
Umargam
Gandevei
Narsari |
5 |
Amreli |
1
2
3 |
Rajula
Jafarabad
Kodinar |
11 |
Vadodara |
1 |
Padra |
6 |
Junagadh |
1
2
3
4
5 |
Veraval
Maliya Hatina
Porbander
Ranavav
Una |
12 |
Kachchh |
1
2
3
4
5
6 |
Mundra
Manadvi
Abdara
Lakhpat
Bhachar
Anjar |
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There are 6 coastal blocks (talukas) in Kachchh, 20 in Saurashtra and 16 coastal in mainland Gujarat, bringing the total to 42. All the three regions differ in terms of physiography, geology geo-hydrology and geomorphology. |
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| Pressures Working on Coastal Gujarat |
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Coastal areas in Gujarat have been under tremendous pressure emanating from the process of economic growth.
The first major pressure came from irrigated agriculture when agriculture was promoted by the state by subsidizing wells / tube wells as well as energy to draw water. With the green revolution promoted in coastal areas, there was a big jump in the withdrawal of ground water, which encouraged sea water ingress, resulting in salinization and deterioration in the quality of ground water. This, along with deforestation in coastal areas pushed salinization of land further as salty winds and sea water could enter the lands easily. |
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Right from the beginning, i.e. in 1960 when Gujarat State was formed, the State government had promoted industrial development aggressively. The sea coast of South Gujarat and several spots in the rest of the coast developed fast industrially. The process of industrialization has been accelerated after the economic reforms, and the coastal region has been an important destination for industries. The state government has promoted rapid growth of industries on the coast through (1) promotion of mineral extraction and mineral based industries (2) development of industrial parks and estates of feed port based industrial development, (3) setting up Special Economic Zones and (d) providing incentives and subsidies through periodically announced industrial policies. It has been estimated that the total industrial investment in coastal regions has increased to almost 70 percent in the early years of the new century. This rapid industrialization has put a pressure on water resources, resulting in shortage of potable water, and polluted ground and surface water by not well regulated discharges of pollutants. Rapid growth of salt industry, mining and quarrying of stones and minerals, and of mineral based industries have increased salinity of land and water to such an intent that a large number of villages are suffering from excess salinity in their ground water.
Infrastructure is another important pressure on the Coast. The State government has identified ports as a driver of the economy to promote port based economic growth in the state. According to the Gujarat Infrastructure Agenda, the state will have about 45 ports in the coming years, which implies, on an average, one port for every 40-45 Km of the coast. In addition, the government also promotes roads, railways, water supply, gas grids etc on the coast. Ports, jetties, shipping (making and breaking), trade etc pollute environment in several ways: They destroy coastal and marine eco systems, they affect wet lands adversely and put a pressure on water resources. Shipping of oil and oil refineries may discharge effluents, including oil spills that may pollute water resources. |
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| Increasing Salinity on the Coast: |
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The entire coast had a sweet water regime, until about the end of 1960s, due to a balance maintained between the sweet water on land and saline water in the sea. This balance was disturbed thereafter mainly due to the over drafting of ground water, encouraged by agricultural growth promoted by heavy drafting of ground water through electric engines and pumps. The excessive over drafting encouraged sea water intrusion polluting the quality of ground water. The other reasons that encouraged salinity ingress were destruction of vegetation (i.e. mangroves and other vegetation), which caused tidal water intrusion as well as wind bound salinity; low availability of fresh water in rivers due to their damming; expansion of salt works and other industries which over drafted ground water, and disposed their discharges in an indiscriminate manner; and increase in the pressure of human settlements and their unsatisfactory manner of discharges. In short, salinity intruded in the region through underground sea water intrusion, surface water intrusion as well as wind bound spread.
Looking to the seriousness of the problem, the state government set up a High Level Committee (HLC -1) in the seventies. This Committee recommended recharge structures and salinity control structures among other things. In spite of the construction of salinity control structures undertaken in the area from Una to Madhopur (HLC- 1 area), the salinity has increased in the talukas of Mangrol, Maliya, Veraval, Kodinar and Una during 1977-2003. The extent of salinity affected area increased from 6 Km in 1977 to 7-40 Km area in 2003 in these talukas. In the case of the rest of the coast, the increase in salinity affected area has been much higher. The sea water infected area increased more than 9 times during the past 22 years (1979 –2003) in the area from Una to Bhavnagar (Hirway and Patel 2003). In short, salinity in the region is increasing rather than declining!
The latest data show that 379 villages out of the total of 954 villages (about 40 percent villages) are fully saline, i.e. the ground water has the TDS above 2000 mg per liter through out the year; 177 villages (about 19 percent) are partially saline, i.e. their ground water becomes saline (>2000 mg per liter) during the summer months; and 398 villages (about 41 percent) have ground water which has less than 2000 mg per liter TDS throughout the year. |
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| Geo – Physical Parameters |
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The coastal tracts of Gujarat exhibit variable hydro-geological regimes, categorized in conjunction with the prevailing geomorphic and lithologic configurations and hydro-climatic variations. The occurrence of potable groundwater in the onshore areas of the Gujarat coast to a large extent is influenced by the geomorphology and sediment characteristics.
Hydro-geologically, the coastal tracts is made up of consolidated, semi-consolidated and unconsolidated sediments deposited during geological periods referred as Tertiary and Quaternary. The diversity in sediment characters and their depositional environments with prevailing recharge conditions have given rise to a variety of aquifer systems viz. confined, semi confined and unconfined phreatic aquifers. |
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The consolidated (hard rock) formations are predominated by the igneous and sedimentary rock bearing phreatic aquifers occurring along the southern coast of the Gulf of Kutch. The aquifers are poor to moderate yield and near the coast influenced by the salinity ingress.
The semi consolidated formations predominantly occurring in the coastal tracts of Saurashtra and Kutch are various types of clay, sand stone and limestones. The Gaj beds occur all along the Saurashtra coast, consisting of limestone, clays and grits, mostly gypsiferous with minor sands. Although they are of good thickness i.e. 300 m (Phadtare, 1988) the deeper zones yield meager supplies of water and that too of saline nature; attributed to the intercalated clay bands and inherent salinity of Gaj beds. However, the aquifers in upper Gaj limestone are source of fresh water, because of flushing effect of infiltrating rain waters. Dwarka beds comprising clays and sandy limestones attain a thickness of about 150 m., supplying groundwater of brackish nature.
The variation in quality of groundwater along the Gujarat coastline is a very complex phenomenon, as it is controlled by not only the normal coastal salinity ingress but is also influenced by an inherent salinity. About 1600 kms. long coastline with its several creeks and estuaries invade the coastal plains up to 4 to 6 km. inside is the main front of salinity ingress. It is further aided by over exploitation of groundwater. This has resulted into vast salinity affected area sprawling in 34,625 sq. kms. rendered the phreatic aquifers saline (Phadtare, 1988). |
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| Agro-climate |
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The Gujarat state within its small geographical area has significant diversity in its agro-climatic conditions. The state is divided in to eight agro-climatic zones based on variation in soil, climatic conditions and physical terrain. The coastal line from Bhavnagar to Lakhpat can be classified under four agro-climatic zones. |
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| 1. |
Bhal & coastal area |
| 2. |
South Saurashtra |
| 3. |
North Saurashtra |
| 4. |
North West Zone |
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Out of the eight agro-climatic zones identified in the state, the coastal Saurashtra and Kutch region comprise four zones. The details of agro-climatic zones are |
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| Sr.No |
Details |
Agro-climatic zone |
| South Saurashtra |
North Saurashtra |
North West Zone |
1 |
Coastal Area covered |
Junagadh district. Coastal Bhavnagar and Amreli district. |
Whole of Jamnagar district |
Malia taluka of Rajkot district
Whole of Kutch district, |
2 |
Rainfall (mm) |
625-750 |
400-700. |
250-500. |
3 |
Soil |
Shallow medium black calcareous soils. |
Shallow, medium black |
Sandy and saline soils. |
4 |
Soil texture |
Clay loam to clay. |
Clay loam to clay. |
Loamy Sand and Silty & clay |
5 |
Soil depth |
Moderate to deep 25-75 cm. |
Moderately deep to deep 30 to 80 cm. |
Moderate to deep 25 to 75 cm. |
6 |
Suitable for crops |
Groundnut, Cotton & Pulses Wheat, Bajra, Jowar, & Sugarcane. |
Groundnut, Cotton, Wheat, Bajra, Jowar & Sugarcane. |
Cotton, Jowar, Groundnut, Bajra & Wheat |
7 |
General fertility |
Nitrogen-Medium to high, Phosphorus low Potash-high. |
Nitrogen medium to high, phosphorus low Potash low to medium. |
Nitrogen Low, Phosphorus Low Potash. |
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As shown in table above, the coastal Saurashtra and Kutch is characterized by variation in agro-climatic conditions which reflect in the cropping pattern and its productivity governed by three agro-climatic zones identified in the region. The cropping pattern across the agro-climatic zones shows similarity, however, the differences in content of NPK in soil result in differences in productivity. Overall, the soil is characterized by medium to high nitrogen and low potash and phosphorous content. |
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| B: Need for Synergizing Efforts: |
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The problem of salinity is a consequence of several economic development activities which go beyond the purview of any single department or agency. The convergence and coordination among several Government Departments, which include Irrigation, Agriculture, Horticulture, Environment & Forest, Industries, and Revenue is critical for any substantial impact. The state must promote efficient and judicious use of natural resources for economic purpose (industrial & infrastructure development), by taking sufficient care to ensure ecological balance and economic needs of the local people.
Further, the construction of physical structures to control and prevent salinity must be accompanied by promotion of water efficient agriculture/horticulture and irrigation system as referred in HLC reports.
Experiences of both, the Government as well as of NGOs’ interventions have shown very clearly that to address this enormous and complex issue demands a systemic response combining efforts at micro as well as at macro levels with following broad understanding. |
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| 1. |
Salinity is a regional multi-dimensional issue and hence demands multi sectoral regional response, going beyond one village, taluka and district or an organisation. |
| 2. |
For effective results, the physical interventions of constructing water harvesting and recharge structures should be combined with of judicious and efficient utilisation of water for industrial and agriculture activities as well as domestic purposes by promoting water efficient agriculture/horticulture, forestry and irrigation systems. |
| 3. |
Need collective efforts of Government, civil society organisations and experts to simultaneously work at macro as well as micro level. This should lead to formulation of appropriate policy for salinity control and prevention at state and national level. |
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| C: The Strategic Planning Exercise - SRTT Vision 2011 |
The strategic planning exercise of CSPC and the broad guidelines provided by the Vision 2011 document has indicated the need to: |
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| 1. |
Expand the scope of engagement with State Government and enlist involvement of other relevant departments in the ongoing and future programmes. |
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Strengthen the ongoing project activities under KVY, particularly of existing partner NGOs and capitalize on their efforts to expand the scale and scope of KVY in terms of increasing number of stakeholders from NGOs, CBOs and primary producers. |
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Broad base the area of operations by spreading greater awareness about the issue and establish two-way channel of communication between people and policymakers and planners engaged with the issue of salinity. |
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Strengthen CSPC as an organizational instrument, synergizing strengths of different stakeholders by a) setting it up as an independent entity and b) building human resources and system of operations, which can carry out the ascribed roles i.e. networking, facilitating and leveraging. |
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| D: Learnings from the ongoing Interventions under the KVY programme |
Since 2002, different partners under the KVY programme have been implementing area specific activities to address issues related to salinity mitigation and prevention. The range of activities include water & land resources development, securing drinking water security, enhancing the water use efficiency through promotion of drip and sprinklers, promotion of salinity tolerant crop varieties, etc. The scaling up of the activities has been based on the effectiveness and results of the set of interventions across the different project areas. Inter-organizational learnings have also helped to scale up the different activities in the respective project villages.
CSPC through its partnership with different organizations has also piloted specific activities in the coastal villages viz – farm ponds in Kalyanpur Block, Aquaculture in Mahuva and Rajula block, salinity tolerant horticulture in Talaja block, drinking water programme in Jaffrabad block, etc. Based on the experiences and results, CSPC has identified potential villages for scaling of the pilots to a larger number of salinity affected villages across the coastal districts of Saurashtra and Kutch. |
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