Calling for long-term measures to deal with drought in the state, experts have suggested remedies like water conservation, changing cropping pattern and diverting water sources. The suggestions have come in the backdrop of immediate efforts taken by the government like supplying water to Latur by train wagons and cutting 20 per cent water supply to breweries in Aurangabad region.
“Due to the rise in temperature, water resources dried up in the beginning of April. Schemes like Jalyukt Shivar or farm ponds are not helping much, as evaporation of water has increased. Also, cropping patterns are such that they consume a lot of water in summer. Sugarcane and orchards need a lot of water and, hence, the area of sugarcane production should be restricted,” said Dr Rajaram Deshmukh, former vice-chancellor of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri.
Dr Pradeep Purandare pointed at negligence towards water conservation in the state. “We have given so much importance to building big dams that water management has been completely forgotten. If the administration planned for water distribution in September for Latur, the present situation would not have occurred. Now we are blaming the revenue department and the collectors but it was the duty of the water conservation department to save water. Also, the Chitale Commission had said in 1999 that sugarcane production should not be taken up in Marathwada. Despite this, sugarcane is produced in the region. Cropping patterns should be changed as per availability of water,” Dr Purandare said.
Also, speaking on how water could be made available throughout the year in Marathwada, Dr Deshmukh said it could be diverted from western Maharashtra. “Water from Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara flows towards Karnataka that can be diverted to Marathwada through proper pipelines. The efforts for the drought should be consistent and in a planned manner. If rainfall is satisfactory tomorrow, the government efforts will be forgotten till the next drought situation,” he said.
