Water for all?

Mr. R.K. Sivanappan, the former member of Tamil Nadu Planning Commision revealed in an article on October 20, 2012 the following facts from a reliable source. India’s share in physical area of the world is; 2.5 % India’s share in water resources of the world: 4% World population: 7 Billion India’s population: 1.21 Billion (17%) World’ annual rain fall is: 840 MM India’s annual rainfall is : 1150 MM But India’s per capita water availability is only 2000 cubic meter as agaist the world’s average of 6000 cubic meter and Tamil Nadu’s share of only 650 cubic meters. Wherever the annual per capita availability is less than 1000 c.m the state is supposed to be deficit as per world bank estimates. I India right now the extent of barren land is about 350 - 400 lakh hectares which need irrigation facility. The forest coverage is only 21% as against the ideal figure of 33% which can enhance the availability of rainfall. Total number of big dams in the world is 45000 out of which 46% is in china, 14 in USA and only 9% in India. If the ivers are linked in the country the total availability will increase by 410 lakh hectares out of which 250 lakh ha will be available over the surface and 160 lakh ha will recharge underground resources. If the rivers flowing into the Arabian Sea in Kerala and Karnataka can be diverted the states of Tamil nadu and Karnataka will be benefitted. Solutions: Nationalisation of rivers and the management of river waters should be vested the central Government so that inter-state disputes on water would not arise. Interlinking of rivers – to begin with at least the rivers in South India Political will is required for this purpose. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++