Reviving borewells, harnessing solar power and embracing data-driven solutions is need of the hour, writes Kiran Ramaraj
Breaking a 50-year-old rainfall record, Himachal Pradesh, this year, witnessed unprecedented destruction as relentless rainfall caused devastating floods. Experts label it a 'man-made' catastrophe of the Himalayas, attributing the destruction to soil vulnerabilities, failed drainage systems, debris dumping in rivers, and unchecked illegal mining at riverbeds.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research reports that 54% of India's total area faces high to extremely high water stress, and 29% of the country's land suffers from degradation, impacting the lives of nearly 600 million Indians. Deforestation also poses a significant concern, with around 3,34,000 hectares of primary rainforest lost. Despite efforts to curb unauthorized tree cutting, development pressures lead to substantial losses as land is diverted for industrialization, roads, and irrigation projects. As per a Lancet study, this results in severe pollution, causing over 2.3 million premature deaths, including 1.6 million from air pollution and more than 500,000 from water pollution. These environmental challenges further compound erratic weather patterns attributed to climate change.
To shape a world where nature thrives and future generations flourish, collective action is key. Policymakers and government agencies wield significant influence in facilitating the adoption of sustainable practices among farmers and rural communities. By considering behavioural factors like beliefs, social background, and knowledge, policymakers can design effective policies.
Today, farmers are encouraged to embrace sustainable techniques through financial support in the form of subsidies and incentives. Notable success stories like the 'Zero Budget Natural Farming initiative in Andhra Pradesh' and the 'Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana' exemplify the transformative impact of such endeavours, resulting in enhanced yields, cost savings, and ecological resilience.
Initiatives, such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, and Soil Health Card Scheme, offer indispensable financial and technical support to farmers which can lead to increased crop yields, reduced input costs, and improved water quality. Addressing the pressing issue of water scarcity, schemes like the 'Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana' promote the adoption of efficient irrigation practices. Parallelly, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) scheme and the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) are playing a crucial role in promoting renewable energy and solar pumps in India.
These government-led initiatives, coupled with stakeholder collaborations, have fostered the growth of India's start-up ecosystem. These start-ups now spearhead groundbreaking solutions, from optimizing water usage to promoting sustainable practices, forging a powerful transition from vision to action.
One such example is Urdhvam which has designed and developed Bore Charger, a sustainable technology to revive failing and low-yielding borewells with very low investment. By increasing the water-yielding capacity of existing borewells and replenishing water in deep confined aquifers, the enterprise contributes to the conservation of water resources. BoreCharger increases the rainwater recharge rate of a borewell by 2 to 20 times, improves quantum by 4 to 60 lakh litres and enhances longevity by 1 to 6 months along with better water quality.
Start-ups, as drivers of innovation, play a significant role in implementing sustainable strategies. Uniting both public and private efforts, India can make significant strides in sustainable development. This approach will prevent man-made catastrophes while also promoting economic growth.
(The writer is Associate Sector Lead, Climate Action)
