Krishna Basin Development: Interventions to Limit Downstream Environmental Degradation

Since India gained Independence, the Krishna basin has seen an increasing mobilization of its water resources. Warnings of basin closure (minimal flow to the ocean) emerge during dry periods. Basin water development and local rural dynamics have led to a degradation of downstream ecosystems manifest...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe journal of environment & development Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 269 - 291
Main Authors Venot, Jean-Philippe, Sharma, Bharat R., Rao, K. V. G. K.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA Sage Publications 01.09.2008
SAGE Publications
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects
Agroecosystems
Allocations
Basins
Conservation of resources
Ecological sustainability
Ecosystems
Environmental degradation
Environmental protection
Groundwater
India
Krishna basin
Natural resource management
Natural resources
Pollution
Resource management
Rural areas
Rural development
Studies
Surface water
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable development
Sustainable water management
Water management
Water resources
Wetlands
Krishna River
ISW, India, Andhra Pradesh, Krishna
integrated natural resources management
water resources development
environmental preservation
rural development
water allocation
India
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Summary:Since India gained Independence, the Krishna basin has seen an increasing mobilization of its water resources. Warnings of basin closure (minimal flow to the ocean) emerge during dry periods. Basin water development and local rural dynamics have led to a degradation of downstream ecosystems manifesting itself by salinizing soil and groundwater, increasing pollution, making mangroves disappear, and desiccating wetlands. Reversing this evolution requires the formal recognition of the environment as a water user in its own right and the implementation of an environmental water provision. This provision should be based on a two-tier allocation system with assured discharges in the irrigation canals of the delta and to the ocean. This will lead to further commitment of water resources, but this is needed to reconcile the social, economic, and environmental objectives of sustainable development. Other measures facilitating integrated natural resources management from the local to the basin level are needed too.
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ISSN:1070-4965
1552-5465
DOI:10.1177/1070496508320532