Integrated Approach for Improving Water Productivity in Groundwater Exploited Areas of Coastal Odisha

Abstract

This study explores the background scenarios of an over-exploited coastal aquifer in the lower Subernarekha river basin of north Odisha, and highlights the socio-economic benefits through technological interventions. The change in vegetation (i.e. NDVI) between the year 2000 and 2009 shows a notable shift from other land-use classes to agricultural practices, with a 15% increase in area under vegetation during the pre-monsoon summer season. This indirectly point to the increased groundwater utilization, because farmers use their own shallow tube well or purchase water from others to grow the summer paddy. As a case study, a tank-cum-well system, with a tank of 80 m length, 60 m width and 2 m depth, has been created. In 2014, with delayed arrival of monsoon rainfall and persistent dry spells, the harvested volume of 10000 m³ of water provided the life-saving irrigations. To improve the water productivity, fish farming was undertaken with a stock of about 2000 fishes, each grew to about 450 grams within 3 months. Moreover, a 2 m width and 0.15 m depth earthen platform was made around the recharge structure in which 500 banana plants were grown, along with perennial fruit crops. In the first year, a gross return of Rs. 75,000 has been estimated.