Water Policy Research HIGHLIGHT Download this highlight from h�p://iwmi-tata.blogspot.in Jonas Bunsen Rahul Rathod Holiyas (also known locally as bhungroos) are rela�vely simple, locally applied, groundwater recharge and subsurface storage systems and may hold the poten�al to mi�gate exposure of smallholder farmers to floods and droughts. However, li�le verifiable knowledge is available on their performance and impact. In 2015, the IWMI-Tata Program undertook an assessment of holiyas and bhungroos in Banaskantha district to empirically analyse their socio-economic and environmental impact. The results suggest that majority of respondents perceive the structures' construc�on to be successful and report improvements with respect to one or more of the following criteria: flood mi�ga�on, soil erosion, drought resilience, extent of the cul�va�on period, crop yield, cropping intensity and livestock rearing. 02 2 0 1 6 Pipe assisted underground taming of surface floods The experience with Holiyas in north Gujarat Water Policy Research Highlight-02 PIPE ASSISTED UNDERGROUND TAMING OF SURFACE FLOODS The experience with Holiyas in north Gujarat* 1 1. INTRODUCTION Socio-economic development in groundwater-dependent agrarian socio-ecologies is �ghtly linked to the availability of water. In Banaskantha district in Gujarat, where rainfall is highly erra�c and uneven, water availability may pose a limi�ng factor for agriculture in different ways. Extreme rainfall and flooding during the main growing season, monsoon, can devastate harvests overnight. In addi�on, farming is rendered imprac�cable when fields dry up in �mes of water scarcity during winter and summer (which complete the annual cycle of seasons). Unreliability of natural water availability and economic development spurred Gujarat's pump revolu�on in the thsecond half of the 20 century. At first, steady water availability and socio-economic development were �ghtly interlinked and the widespread enabling of intensive groundwater use through pumping led to an agrarian boom. This boom however, was followed by decline as aquifers diminished and now threaten the livelihood of millions of smallholder farmers (Shah 2009). Holiyas¹ are rela�vely simple subsurface water storage systems for excessive rainfall and can be implemented without considerable technological knowledge and under compara�vely li�le financial effort. The technique has been suggested to address the above men�oned water related socio-economic and environmental problems (Ashoka India 2010; UNFCCC 2014). However, no independent study on the actual performance of holiyas or bhungroos is available at present. 2. HOLIYAS A typical holiya unit consists of a perforated pipe of which the top is confined by a square-shaped concrete pit with side lengths of about 3 feet (Figure 1). The pipe's diameter is typically about 4 inches while the depth ranges from 20 to 80 feet with around 30 feet being the most common depth. During �mes of heavy precipita�on and resultant flooding in low-lying areas or ponds, these structures increase the infiltra�on rate of floodwater into the subsurface and thus mi�gate the impact of floods on agriculture. The infiltrated water can be recovered at a later �me when water scarcity is a pressing issue for farming (Figure 2). Ideally, holiyas are located at the lowest point of a field or capture area in order to facilitate as much inflow of excessive rainfall into the subsurface as possible. The bo�om part of the pipe is perforated and water percolates through the pipe's holes into subsoil strata where it is stored in lenses. Only if the subsurface stratum or strata (intended for storage purposes) accommodate enough porous space and retain water in the holiya's vicinity, water can be recovered for use in �mes when water scarcity is a limi�ng factor for agriculture. Research highlight based on Bunsen and Rathod (2015) Figure 1: Schema�c drawing of a Holiya / bhungroo unit as distributed by Mo�bhai Founda�on and Lokvikas. The technical design may differ slightly from loca�on to loca�on. This image by UNFCCC (2014) has been modified from its original version by the authors of this report (1: concrete pit; 2: pipe with a perforated bo�om end; 3: subsoil strata). *This Highlight is based on research carried out under the IWMI-Tata Program (ITP) with addi�onal support from the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). It is not externally peer-reviewed and the views expressed are of the author/s alone and not of ITP or its funding partners. ¹Holiyas is the Gujara� term used for pipe-assisted rainwater infiltra�on systems. An adapta�on of holiyas that is well documented in literature and promoted by Lokvikas is bhungroo. In prac�ce, the term bhungroo and holiya are used synonymously. This report will use the generic term holiyas for any structure that facilitates the infiltra�on of excessive rainwater into the subsurface of fields. In theory, holiyas smoothen out the extremes of flood and drought for agribusinesses and possibly even decrease a farmer's dependency on other water sources such as canals and boreholes. The use of less borehole water would poten�ally decrease agricultural induced pressure on Gujarat's aquifers. 3. OBJECTIVES, METHODOLOGY AND LIMITATIONS The overall purpose of this study is to conduct an empirical analysis to address the knowledge gap regarding the performance of holiyas in Banaskantha district (Figure 3) and to establish preliminary knowledge about the socio- economic and environmental impacts of holiyas. The assessment is based on a par�cipa�ve approach in which individuals and village communi�es were interviewed about the impact of holiya construc�on. In total, 41 farmers were surveyed using a ques�onnaire to collect qualita�ve data for descrip�ve research. A qualita�ve analysis was regarded an effec�ve way of ge�ng preliminary informa�on about holiya performance because no independent knowledge about their actual performance is available. Responses on key ques�ons, such as the impact of holiyas on flooding and agricultural output, were categorised for visualisa�on purposes. Qualita�ve data is only as good and useful as the accuracy of the respondent's statements. This study is based on qualita�ve data which was provided by individuals and farming communi�es and assumes the accuracy of their statements and transla�ons. 4. RESULTS Out of 41 surveyed people, 16 stated that their holiya was constructed by Mo�bhai R Chaudhary Water Policy Research Highlight-02 Founda�on, 8 stated their holiya was constructed by Lokvikas (with Naireeta Services Pvt. Ltd. as technical agency) and 17 declared they had ini�ated the construc�on themselves which, in most instances, involved the hiring of a contractor. 4.1 Geo-hydrological and technical proper�es The geo-hydrological proper�es of a specific loca�on are among the main determining factors for the func�oning of holiyas. Thirty respondents claimed that subsurface knowledge was available before construc�on. In many instances, respondents explained that experts were hired in order to conduct subsurface analysis while others had only li�le subsurface knowledge through ancestors or previous borehole drilling. Geo-hydrological proper�es should also define a holiya's technical proper�es. However, holiyas are not always custom designed. Customisable features include its pipe and opening. The depths range from 20 to 80 feet with around 30 feet being the most common depth. On average, self- constructed holiyas are only around 25 feet deep. Most have a 4-inch wide pipe and roughly the bo�om third of the pipe is perforated. Other customisable features include the pipe's opening which may be covered with a grid or protrudes from the ground in order to minimise influx of suspended solids or debris. 4.2 Construc�on, opera�ons and maintenance The actual construc�on cost and financial investment required for a holiya differs depending on whether it was constructed by the beneficiary or by an NGO. Mo�bhai Founda�on covered 90 per cent of the costs and the beneficiary was expected to contribute about ₹ 1,000. This price is exclusive of a pump which costs about ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 30,000. Lokvikas' bhungroos cost the beneficiary ₹ 30,000 to ₹ 35,000 including a pump and beneficiaries have to cover around 80 per cent of the total costs. Self- constructed holiyas cost ₹ 2,500 to ₹ 5,000 without a pump. Opera�ons and maintenance include costs associated with clogging, pump repair, energy cost etc. Figure 2: Theory of holiya func�oning; Top: Excessive rainfall causes flooding of agricultural fields and devastates harvests. Holiyas facilitate the infiltra�on of rainwater into the ground and mi�gate the impact of floods; Bo�om: Infiltrated rainwater can be recovered during periods when water scarcity is a limi�ng factor for agriculture; This image by UNFCCC (2014) has been modified from its original version by the authors. Figure 3: The study villages in Banaskantha district, Gujarat. Villages under considera�on are marked with a red dot while no�ceable ci�es are marked with a yellow pin Without Holiya Without Holiya With Holiya With Holiya 2 3 Water Policy Research Highlight-02 4.3 Flood mi�ga�on and soil erosion A clear trend emerged among respondents who mainly claimed an improvement in flood mi�ga�on and soil erosion (Figure 4) as holiyas facilitate the infiltra�on of rainwater into the soil and thereby mi�gate floods and side effects of floods such as soil erosion. The most common answer on how long it would take to clear fields from flooding was 7 to 10 days. Many respondents also pointed out limita�ons of holiyas in flood mi�ga�on in case of extreme precipita�on. 4.4 Water discharge capacity, water quality and alterna�ve water sources If holiyas successfully improve rainwater infiltra�on into the subsoil, water may possibly be recovered at a later �me when water scarcity is a limi�ng factor for agriculture. As respondents were not expected to be able to provide metrics for holiya discharge they were instead asked if the construc�on had an impact on farming with respect to drought resilience or the extent of the cul�va�on period. Both aspects were perceived to have improved by the majority of respondents (Figure 5). Holiyas enabled some farmers to grow crops also during winter and (in some instances) green fodder for livestock during summer. Water quality is adequate for agriculture but deteriorates a�er abstrac�on of large quan��es of groundwater. Alterna�ve water sources are mainly canals and boreholes and are likely to be used in addi�on to holiya water if financially affordable. 30 20 10 0 C o u n t Impact of Holiya construc�on on flood mi�ga�on Lokvikas Mo�bhai Self-construc�on Constructor Improvement Unchanged NA Answers Impact of Holiya construc�on on soil erosion 30 20 10 0 C o u n t Lokvikas Mo�bhai Self-construc�on Constructor Improvement Unchanged NA Answers 30 20 10 0 C o u n t Impact of Holiya construc�on on drought resilience Improvement Unchanged NA Answers Impact of Holiya construc�on on the extent of the cul�va�on period 30 20 10 0 C o u n t Improvement Unchanged NA Answers Figure 5: Qualita�ve assessment of the impact of holiyas on drought resilience (LEFT) and extent of cul�va�on period (RIGHT). Figure 4: Qualita�ve assessment of the impact of holiyas on flood mi�ga�on (LEFT) and soil erosion (RIGHT). Lokvikas Mo�bhai Self-construc�on Constructor Lokvikas Mo�bhai Self-construc�on Constructor 4 Water Policy Research Highlight-02 4.5 Impact on agricultural output Increased drought and flood resilience and an extended growing season should result in an improvement in agricultural output. Only a few respondents were able to put metrics behind the increase in crop yield which they stated to be around 20 to 25 per cent. An improvement was not only observed in quan�ty but also in quality as more desirable crops could be grown (Figure 6). Crops grown a�er holiya construc�on included cumin, pioneer grass, co�on, castor beans, wheat, pearl millet and mustard. An increased agricultural output also increases the feedstock which is available for livestock. Wild foods and plants seem to be less affected in their availability (Figure 7). 4.6 Socio-economic impact For individuals who depend on agribusiness for their livelihood, a qualita�ve and quan�ta�ve improvement of agricultural output should also impact their socio-economic well-being. Families are less prone to natural fluctua�ons in water availability which has direct implica�ons for livelihood resilience as incomes are more stable and consistent. Money can be channelled back into farming improvements, housing or educa�on. Lokvikas pursued women empowerment through a distribu�on concept in which women are assigned to be the owners of holiyas. Our assessment was not designed to generate evidence to ascertain the success of this concept. 30 20 10 0 C o u n t Impact of Holiya construc�on on livestock Constructor Improvement Unchanged Answers Impact of Holiya construc�on on wild foods and plants 20 15 10 05 0 C o u n t Improvement Unchanged NA Answers Figure 7: Qualita�ve assessment of the impact of holiyas on livestock (LEFT) and wild foods and plants (RIGHT). Lokvikas Mo�bhai Self-construc�on Lokvikas Mo�bhai Self-construc�on Constructor 30 20 10 0 C o u n t Qualita�ve impact of Holiya construc�on on crop yield Improvement Unchanged NA Answers Quan�ta�ve impact of Holiya construc�on on crop yield 30 20 10 0 C o u n t Improvement Unchanged NA Answers Figure 6: Qualita�ve assessment of the impact of holiyas on crop choices (LEFT) and crop yield (RIGHT). Lokvikas Mo�bhai Self-construc�on Constructor Lokvikas Mo�bhai Self-construc�on Constructor 5 Water Policy Research Highlight-02 4.7 Environmental impact Holiya water is a locally available, renewable and therefore environmentally benign water source with a lower environmental impact compared to alterna�ve water sources: canal and borehole. However, in only four instances, the surveyed individuals stated that they use holiya water instead of the water sources on which they relied earlier (canals and boreholes). For people who are financially able to con�nue using conven�onal water sources such as canals and boreholes, their con�nuing usage is likely to be the case. Accordingly, the impact of holiya construc�on on reduc�on in water abstrac�on from alternate sources appears to be rather limited. 4.8 Success When surveyed individuals were asked whether holiya construc�on was a success, most respondents replied with “yes” (Figure 8). It should be noted that this ques�on is rather unspecific and possibly only implies that farmers regard some aspects of holiya construc�on to be a success. The results do not suggest that every poten�al benefit of holiya implementa�on materialised. No type of holiya (self-constructed, Mo�bhai, Lokvikas) was iden�fied to perform be�er than others. The sample size is rela�vely small and results about performance should be considered with cau�on. The authors of this report also ques�on the impar�ality of some Lokvikas beneficiaries and don't rule out bias towards self-constructed holiyas. 5. DISCUSSION The most important finding is that the majority of respondents perceive to have benefited from the construc�on of a holiya. However, this assessment is based on qualita�ve data and the extent to which holiyas are beneficial is subject to varia�ons which were not quan�fied by this report. Answering with “yes” on whether the construc�on of a holiya was a success does not mean that 30 20 10 0 C o u n t Was the Holiya construc�on a success? Lokvikas Mo�bhai Self-construc�on Constructor No Partly Yes Answers Figure 8: Qualita�ve assessment of the success of holiyas every poten�al benefit of a holiya has materialised for a respondent. It only allows the conclusion that the responding individual has perceived the holiya to be successful in some way. Nevertheless, in many instances holiyas appear to hold the poten�al to mi�gate the impact of extreme occurrences of water abundance and/or scarcity at least to a certain extent and thereby enable an extended cul�va�on period compared to before. Subsequent increase in agricultural output possibly improves the socio-economic wellbeing of individuals. The success of holiyas also depends on external factors such as the availability and cost of other water sources. This became evident when respondents explained they were disincen�vized to use and maintain their holiya because canal water became available at cheaper costs compared to holiya water. Even if alterna�ves such as borehole water or canal water are more economically viable, it should be noted that their environmental costs are likely to be much higher. Holiyas u�lise rainwater and are thus based on a renewable and locally available water source. In contrast, canal water requires huge infrastructural efforts and poten�ally only shi�s the burden of water stress on ecosystems towards different loca�ons while borehole water is infamous for contribu�ng to aquifer deple�on in Gujarat (Shah 2009). Hence, it was considered that holiya water may hold the poten�al to be an environmentally benign alterna�ve for canals and boreholes if they func�on well. Some respondents recommended construc�on or distribu�on of deeper and wider pipes in order to improve performance. Others suggested combining holiyas with advanced irriga�on technologies such as drip irriga�on which is actually not an improvement of the holiya technology itself. Addi�onal leverage points may include extended geo-hydrological tes�ng before holiya construc�on and the implementa�on of more customised designs or an increase of water infiltra�on into holiyas through check dams and water conveyance structures. However, the ques�on why holiya construc�on did not spread to more villages and larger areas even though they were perceived by adopters as being successful, a�er they were first being built in the mid 1990's, remains. The data suggest that an upsurge in self-constructed holiyas only arose a�er NGOs started to distribute them in 2005. Some respondents claimed that mainly economic factors would pose a burden for construc�ng a holiya. This claim was not independently verified. 6. CONCLUSION It is believed that this study is the first to independently assess the socio-economic and environmental impact of holiyas on smallholder farmers in Banaskantha district in Gujarat. The findings may be limited as no metrics are provided on the performance of holiyas; neither with regard to socio-economic advances nor their environmental impact. Nevertheless, some major trends emerge from statements issued by respondents and their percep�on of holiya performance. 6 Water Policy Research Highlight-02 Most holiyas are considered to be a success with regard to flood mi�ga�on, soil erosion, drought resilience, extent of the cul�va�on period, crop yield and/or livestock. No poten�al to decrease agricultural induced pressure on aquifers was found at this current �me. In general, no nega�ve aspects seem to accompany the construc�on of holiyas (other than possibly investment costs) and holiyas could perhaps be conceived as a no regret measure. However, as so o�en when immersing into a new field of study, more ques�ons emerge than being solved. The following points may provide star�ng points for future research focuses: § Quan�ta�ve data could establish a more confident link between the perceived socio-economic benefits by respondents and the construc�on of holiyas. Further inves�ga�ons should rule out that other factors are causa�ve or concurrently causa�ve for the respondent's percep�on of socio-economic advances. § How can holiya performance be improved with respect to geo-hydrological knowledge and technical features? § What are the exact factors determining the success of a holiya with regard to socio-economic benefits? § What has prevented dissemina�on and adop�on of self- constructed holiyas a�er they were first constructed in the mid 1990's? What are current trends of dissemina�on? What are drivers and barriers? If desirable, how can dissemina�on be facilitated? Ekalva village was home to many self-constructed holiyas and could be a good star�ng point for field research on this subject. § How can beneficiaries be disincen�vized from using canal and borehole water? Do holiyas hold the poten�al to decrease agricultural induced pressure on aquifers? REFERENCES Ashoka India (2010): Biplab Paul | Ashoka - India [WWW Document]. URL: h�p://india.ashoka.org/fellow/biplab-paul (accessed 8.12.15). Bunsen, J. and Rathod, R. (2015): “Pipe-assisted subsurface rainwater storage in Gujarat”. Unpublished internship report. Anand: IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program. Shah, T. (2009): “Taming the anarchy: groundwater governance in South Asia”. Washington, DC: RFF Press. UNFCCC. (2014): “Momentum for Change Bhungroo” [WWW Document]. URL: h�p://unfccc.int/secretariat/momentum_for_change/items/8694.php (accessed 7.17.15). Water abstrac�on from a holiya in Chabkha village, BanaskanthaCredit: Rahul Rathod IWMI Headquarters 127 Sunil Mawatha Pelawa�e, Ba�aramulla Colombo, Sri Lanka Mailing Address P. O. Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka Tel: +94 11 2880000, 2784080 Fax: +94 11 2786854 Email: iwmi@cgiar.org Website: www.iwmi.org IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program “Jal Tarang” Near Smru� Apartments, Behind IRMA Gate Mangalpura, Anand 388001, Gujarat, India Tel: +91 2692 263816, 263817 Email: iwmi-tata@cgiar.org IWMI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium and leads the: RES EARCH PROGRA ON Water, Land and Ecos stems About the IWMI-Tata Program and Water Policy Highlights The IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program (ITP) was launched in 2000 as a co-equal partnership between the Interna�onal Water Management Ins�tute (IWMI), Colombo and Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), Mumbai. The program presents new perspec�ves and prac�cal solu�ons derived from the wealth of research done in India on water resource management. Its objec�ve is to help policy makers at the central, state and local levels address their water challenges – in areas such as sustainable groundwater management, water scarcity, and rural poverty – by transla�ng research findings into prac�cal policy recommenda�ons. Through this program, IWMI collaborates with a range of partners across India to iden�fy, analyze and document relevant water management approaches and current prac�ces. These prac�ces are assessed and synthesized for maximum policy impact in the series on Water Policy Highlights and IWMI-Tata Comments. Water Policy Highlights are pre-publica�on discussion papers developed primarily as the basis for discussion during ITP's Annual Partners' Meet. The research underlying these Highlights was funded with support from Interna�onal Water Management Ins�tute (IWMI), Tata Trusts, CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) and CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). However, the Highlights are not externally peer-reviewed and the views expressed are of the author/s alone and not of ITP or any of its funding partners.