Pitchers and buckets for collecting water are seen line-up near water hole in Zunheboto. (Aghato Zhimomi Photo)
Khrolhiwe-u Tsuhah (Awi)
Water crisis in Nagaland is real and is accelerating at an alarming rate despite receiving abundant rainfall of 1500 – 2000 mm in a year.
Groundwater in the form of springs, wells, streams and rivers is the lifeline for drinking water security, domestic and livelihood security for the people of Nagaland. However, the sources are drying up drying up or becoming seasonal due to natural and anthropogenic activities like rise in population, change in land use and infrastructural developments, ecological degradation, rise in temperature and climate variability. This also indicates that there is depletion of groundwater and mountain aquifers in the region. Access to safe and clean water is a fundamental right and we have the right to access water of minimum 55 LPCD of water every day but this is a far dream for many. Due to increased reliance and pressure on groundwater usage, it has led to unregulated GW extraction and commercialization in Nagaland. Women in Nagaland are mainly responsible for fetching and managing water and they are the most vulnerable. In most of the villages and even in towns, they have to wake up at as early as 2:00 - 3:00 am to fetch water in the spring or public standpipes for their families in queues. Procuring water also has become an expensive affair especially for marginalized families, students and young professions in cities like Kohima. The cost of 2000 Liters of water varies from Rs. 1300/- Rs. 1500/- which is procured from private business and there are days where citizens have to book 2-3 days ahead in order to buy water. Conflicts and mental health issues are also emerging due to water stress – inaccessible clean water and financial constraints particularly during the lean seasons from November to April or until monsoon arrival.Covid-19 Pandemic also has increased the need to use more water for sanitation and health issues.
The Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA, 2010) in its report on climate change assessment in India and the Nagaland State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC, 2012) projects Nagaland likely to be vulnerable in the period 2021-2050 and water scarcity is likely to intensify. It further predicts that the climate change is likely to exacerbate the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and will significantly enhance rise in temperature which will affect the hydrological regime, precipitation levels and evaporation which will impact the recharge of groundwater aquifers leading to water stress and food insecurity.The prediction is coming true as we are experiencing massive climate variations like rise in temperature, changes in rainfall intensity, occurrence of moderate drought and increase in water scarcity. We also have experienced unforeseen snowfall in places like Kapamodzu, Pfutsero, Kohima,Zunheboto and Kiphire this year.
Water issue is everyone’s issue and not the responsibility of a single agency or individual. All the stakeholders who uses water must partner and collectively work together to address the water issue. Some of the recommendations to address the issues are –
1. The state to Invest in financial, technology, capacity building and social resources to recharge groundwater and achieve drinking water and livelihood security. Springs are a safe vault and safety net for most communities including families which have access to piped water supply in cities and villages when there is leakage or broken pipe connection. Provision of piped water supply connection is not the only answer. We need to conserve and revive the source. Therefore, recharging the springs, streams and rivers for human and eco systems is vital.
2. Water is a common pool resource and is accessed by the people even though the land belongs to individuals and clans in the State (Govt. owned land is only 5.99% as per Dept. of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Report 2021-22, Nagaland). Therefore, the communities and agencies must converge and partner to regenerate, conserve and protect the natural resources and biodiversity.
3. Promotion of roof-top rain water harvesting in every household. This will help reduce extraction of groundwater usage.
4. Groundwater, geology and sanitation are closely related and are vital for city/ town/ village planning. In topography like Nagaland, the habitations are perched on a hilltop and most of the water sources are downstream or between the houses. The need for proper drainage, waste facilities and latrines to reduce pollution - water quality.
5. Due to increase in usage of single use plastics, multi-layered plastics, tetrapaks, pet-bottles etc., and no facilities to recycle the wastes, it may have reduced the natural groundwater recharge as the wastes are thrown undesignated or designated garbage sites above the streams/ rivers /springs chocking the water bodies and environment. Experts estimate that some plastics can last hundreds of years before they finally decompose depending on the material and structure. Therefore, the need for facilities, stringent rules and policies to ensure that water bodies and environment are pollution free.
6. If the commercialization of unregulated water cannot be stopped, the government / authorities must regulate it at a balanced rate which will be beneficial for the citizens and the business people. For instance, if minimum 3,000 households in Kohima procure 6,000 liters of water (current cost of 2,000 liters is Rs. 1400/-) in a month, the private owner generates a massive amount of Rs. 12,600,000/- which is massive. You can do the math if the lean season is for 3-5 months – access to clean and safe water of 55 LPCD becomes a far dream. I write this to highlight the grim reality on behalf of students, young professionals and marginalized families who are finding it difficult to afford and access water.
7. The urgent need for research and documentation, dialogues to raise awareness on water issues and effective policy-making and generate action collectively to improve access to water supply and sanitation. The government, civil societies, academia and researchers to play a pivotal role.
As we celebrate World Water Day under the theme ‘Groundwater: making the invisible visible’, each of us must reflect, be socially responsible and take action to address water issues starting from our own community. I strongly encourage all the citizens, particularly the young people to actively involve in constructive dialogues, be part of the solution in protecting and reviving the water sources and conserving our environment because we are the present and the future. All the stakeholders must work collectively to actualize SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation.
