1. June 8, 2012 ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS: How much water must flow in a river? Ravi Chopra People’s Science Institute

2. June 8, 2012 Kashyapa’s Wisdom - I Origins of rivers are sacred. Build a temple at the site. There must be minimum obstruction to the flow of a river (river as an ecosystem).

3. June 8, 2012 Kashyapa’s Wisdom - II Forests & rivers have a symbiotic relationship. Harvest water in forests. Withdraw only as much water as you need. (Conserves flows & quality) Every community can contribute to the conservation of water according to its abilities.

4. June 8, 2012 Modern Indian Engineers’ Approach Any water flowing to the sea is water wasted. Therefore minimum flow (10% of lean season). AfterBefore

5. June 8, 2012 Consequences of Modern Approach - I Before After Maneri Bhali – I on R. Bhagirathi

6. June 8, 2012 Maneri Bhali – II on R. Bhagirathi

7. June 8, 2012 Ichari Dam on the Tons River Downstream of Ichari Dam

8. June 8, 2012 Consequences of Modern Approach - II River % of total length affected Alakananda61 Dhauli (W)71 Bhagirathi*59 Gori Ganga45 † % dried by multiple projects * From Gaumukh to Dharasu † This is only the tunnel length. The river length affected will be longer.

9. June 8, 2012 New Wisdom : Environmental Flows A river is an ecosystem “with a unique structure and functions, with a specific history and capable of self-generated dynamic behaviour.” (Etymology of Ganga: from the Sanskrit root ‘gam’ – that which moves) River has the first right to its water. We should take only what the river can spare. Environmental flows are a set of flows that mimic the natural flows. Brisbane Declaration: “EF describe the quantity, quality and timing of water flows required to sustain fresh water and estuarine ecosystems and the human livelihoods and well-being that depend on these ecosystems. Ecological and social livelihoods components.

10. June 8, 2012 E-Flows Methods, Desktop Models- Ia Source: Smakhtin & Anputhas, IWMI, Research Report, 107

11. June 8, 2012 E-Flows Methods, Desktop Models- Ib Source: Smakhtin & Anputhas, IWMI, Research Report, 107 Requires long term flow data but is quick and easy. Of great practical use for dam operations.

12. June 8, 2012 E-Flows Methods- II Holistic MethodsLocal Improvisations BBM Revealed Preference Model: User groups identify and justify the water required in the river at different times of the year, e.g., fisherfolk identify which species requires how much water at different times of the year. -- Gaumukh, Pune

13. June 8, 2012 Cultural Flows - I fo’oL; ekrj% loZ loZ’pso egkQyk% A bR;srk lfjr% jktu~ lek[;krk ;FkkLe`fr AA “O king! Rivers are mothers of the world; all of them bestow great rewards. I have enumerated as many as my memory enables me to.” -- Mahabharat, Bhishma Parva, Ch 9, verses 37/38

14. June 8, 2012 Cultural Flows - II People have developed traditions – imageries, rituals and festivals that reflect the natural flow rhythms. Spiritual values and folklore, e.g., appearance or sound, also reflect varying levels of river flows. Such cultural flows have to be quantified to include the needs of people who populate the cultural basins of deified rivers.

15. June 8, 2012 Cultural Flows Determination R. Ganga at Bithoor near Kanpur First such study by PSI for R. Ganga as part of WWF- India’s Living Ganga Programme. Between Gangotri and Kanpur, 35-65% of the natural flows during the monsoon season and 18-77% of the lean season flows. Closely match requirements for natural functions.

16. June 8, 2012 Baby Steps towards Rational EF WQAA (2007): 2.5% of the annual average flow at 75% dependability should be provided as a minimum flow. (WG to advise WQAA) HLEG (2008-09): 0.86cumec  1 cumec to 3cumecs  4cumecs  16 cumecs  entire low flow season average 21 to 22cumecs HP: 15% of the seasonal average (?) WII (2011-12): Minimum EF 14.5% of MSR in no fish zone to 21.8% of MSR in Mahseer and Snow Trout zones

17. June 8, 2012 Next Steps VO’s roles: Educate people, decision-makers about EF; Use FDC method – data from EIA reports, DPRs; Push for acceptance of EF concept; Introduction of EF in universities’ curricula. Upper reaches of most rivers have high wilderness value and offer livelihoods possibilities. Legislation required to protect such wilderness and scenic stretches. 135km Gaumukh to Uttarkashi eco-sensitive area and declaration (2004) of Tirthan river in HP as a wild river are important steps.

18. June 8, 2012 Thank You 653, Indira Nagar Dehra Doon - 248 006 UttarakhandINDIA Web: www.peoplesscienceinstitute.org Mail : psiddoon@gmail.com Phone: +91 135 2763649 Fax : +91 135 2763368

19. June 8, 2012 Hydropower : Contested Development (I) 70% of India's hydropower potential is in the Himalayan region

20. June 8, 2012 Hydropower : Contested Development (II) Every state is rushing to earn revenue from hydropower StateUltimate Installed Capacity (MW) Capacity Developed (MW) Under Construction (MW) Capacity to be Developed (MW) Jammu & Kashmir141461864.2899.011382.9 Himachal Pradesh188206085.54435.08299.6 Uttarakhand181752752.12154.013269.0 Sikkim428684.02309.01893.0 Meghalaya2394185.284.02124.8 Tripura1515.00.0 Manipur1784105.00.01679.0 Assam680375.00.0305.0 Nagaland157499.00.01475.0 Mizoram21960.0 2196.0 Arunachal Pradesh50328423.52600.047304.5 TOTAL11439811988.51239789928.8

21. June 8, 2012 Hydropower : Contested Development (IV) A diversion dam is proposed every 10 to 20 km on all major rivers.

22. June 8, 2012 River Flows Shrinking glaciers, loss of year round flows and construction of HEPs threaten river flows Hence reviving subsurface flows, minimizing short and long range threats to glaciers and environmental flows d/s of dams are essential.