K’taka village shows way to end water wars
Damasha, a traditional water distribution system, creates win-win situation for farmers
States warring over their share of river water may turn their swords into ploughshares if they follow ‘Damasha’, the traditional system of equitable water sharing followed in a village of Chintamani taluk, Kolar distict.
Residents of a nondescript village in drought-prone Chintamani taluk of Kolar district have profited by the water sharing system, which has history beyond their memory.
Bodampalli is a remote village, about 30 km from Chintamani. Chennarayanahalli is located close to Bodampalli. Doddakere and Manuganakunte are the two water bodies that support agriculture in these villages. Doddakere, spread over 55 acres, irrigates about 90 acres of farm land whereas Manuganakunte tank which sprawls over 30 acres supports agriculture in 50 acres.
Bodampalli has about 150 families and Chennarayanahalli, 84 families. Over 75 per cent of the farmers in both the villages have their lands in the command area of the two tanks.
Chintamani, a drought-hit and backward area, has no source of permanent irrigation. Agriculture in the taluk is totally dependent on rain.
‘Damasha,’ as the indigenous water sharing arrangement is called, comes into force once the water level in the two tanks go down. It is usually resorted to in summer. After ascertaining the failure of rain in the previous year, the village elders hold a meeting with the farmers in the command area. Before that, the water availability in the tanks is estimated with the help of ‘neeraganti’ (person entrusted with the responsibility of water distribution).
Community living
Damasha appears to have its roots in community living. In the event that the tanks are full only to half of their capacity, water is flown to only 25 per cent of the land in the command area. The crop grown in the said land is shared with the owners of remaining 75 per cent lands. The command area is measured through traditional methods. The ‘beneficiary’ farmers take up farming by constructing temporary bunds in their land. The land so identified would be a public property till the crop is harvested.
“Usually Damasha is drawn for ¼ th of the command area if the tanks are full to half their capacity. The share varies depending on the water level. But it is now difficult to impose damasha on 25 per cent of lands in command area,” B V Anjinappa, a village elder in charge of damasha explained. When questioned about the acceptance of the system, Anjinappa said farmers have no other go but to go by damasha. “Otherwise, there won’t be any crop,” he said.
Once the Damasha area has been drawn, it forms the responsibility of the ‘neeraganti’ to ensure productive utilisation of the tank water. It forms his duty to ensure uniform supply of water to all the lands selected for ‘damasha.’ Only paddy is grown on such lands.
B N Venkatarayappa, a ‘neeraganti’ for the past 15 years said some farmers complain of not being supplied water to their land and he pacifies them tactfully. Farmers donate a portion of the paddy to the ‘neeraganti’ for his services.
Genesis unknown
The genesis of the Damasha system is unknown. Anjinappa said the practice was in vogue in the village during 1960-65. According to Anjinappa, Venkataramanappa, Narayanappa, Rancharaya and their contemporaries, B V Narasappa, a shanubhog, used to draw damasha in the 60s.
“He had a thorough knowledge of the lands – extent, crop pattern etc – in the village and damasha was an easy task for him,” recalled Anjinappa. When asked about the continuation of the system with the new generation, Anjinappa said his son, Sridhar, a science graduate, has been growing crops under ‘damasha.’
“The shares were determined during a meeting held in April. People of all age groups take part in the meeting. I hope the system would be carried forward by the next generation,” Anjinappa said.
The command area of the tank has about five open wells and now, borewells have also been sunk. Lands with wells are excluded while imposing ‘damasha.’ The villagers, however, willingly part with half of their land for the system. The indigenous water sharing arrangement came to light due to the efforts of Jala Samvardhana Yojana Sangha.
The Sangha is now developing the Doddakere. The Sangha, with the active involvement of farmers, has cleared the encroachments, strengthened the tank bund, desilted the inlets into the tank and repaired the canals. More than 3,000 saplings have been planted in the command area. Desilting has increased the water storage capacity of the tank. “Women too have been taking part in rejuvenation process,” Sundar, a communication expert with the Sangha said.
Equitable distribution
In an era of water tribunals to resolve water sharing disputes, Damasha comes as a relic of a bygone era.
However, the principle of equitable distribution of a precious resource for public good is something that can’t be wished away. The system assumes more significance as drought has become a common phenomenon.
