![Sample our Environment & Sustainability journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5935/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Sustainability.jpg"})
Abstract
Intensive irrigation development brought the Bhavani basin in southern India to ‘allocation closure’ in the 1950s, with all available surface water being assigned to various uses. In spite of this, policies and investments have supported further intensified water use, some well planned, but many unplanned from a basin perspective. At present, individuals acting independently and domestic water schemes are important drivers. The basin is moving towards ‘hydrologic closure’, with little water leaving the basin. While agriculture in the basin is showing no signs of collapse, people are demanding more water, leading to a ‘perception-wise’ closure. The changes in use and perception underscore the need for a basin-wide perspective that considers consumptive water use as well as river diversions.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Dr. P. Gomathinayagam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, for his invaluable support provided during the preparation of this paper. As former Joint Chief Engineer/Superintending Engineer and Head of Designs Organization, Water Resources Organization (WRO)/Public Works Department (PWD), Government of Tamil Nadu, his knowledge and insights have been most helpful.
This research has been kindly supported by Formas, the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning, and contributes to the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, which was supported by a grant from the governments of the Netherlands and Switzerland to the Comprehensive Assessment.