CHENNAI RAINS: THE NEED FOR DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

CHENNAI RAINS: THE NEED FOR DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

In the backdrop of Chennai Rains, the probable question could be whether  application of The European Water Framework Directive s help prepare better disaster preparedness plan given the fact that EWFD help achieving the objectives of a) prevent deterioration in status of water bodies; b)  achieving good ecological and chemical status in water bodies c) achieving good ecological potential for artificial and heavily modified water bodies d) achieving the objectives and comply with the standards for protected areas, where relevant; d) reducing  pollution from priority substances, discharges and emissions; e) ceasing losses of priority hazardous substances into the aquatic environment.

The Water Framework Directive cane be implemented through river basin planning which could be 5 yearly cycle of planning, action and review. The key focus areas for basin planning shall cover 1) Physical description of the basin 2) Land use inventories 3) Current water availability and demands 4) Pollution source inventories 5) Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem needs 6) Vulnerability to floods or extreme meteorological events 7) Identification of stakeholders 8) Implications of changing land use 9) Water-related development scenarios, future water demands 10) Water allocation and water quality objectives 11) Pollution Control & Water Quality Management 12) Water Supply & Distribution 13) Irrigation & Drainage Development 14) Fisheries Development 15) Hydropower Development & Pooling 16) Watershed Management with added emphasis on livestock in addition to agriculture, horticulture and forestry 17) Sustainable Management of Wetlands & Biodiversity Conservation 18) Sustainable Management of Lakes & linked Wetland Systems 19) River Regulation & Flood Management 20) Financing of water use and management 21) Responsibility and schedule for implementation and 22) Mechanisms for monitoring and updating