Auroville is facing a drought / Guiding Principles

Tamil Nadu and many other parts of India are currently facing an unprecedented drought. This message was formally delivered by the Chief Minister on January 10th, 2017, declaring Tamil Nadu a drought-hit state. As The Times of India reported: ‘The southern states are staring at a severe water crisis this summer as water levels in major reservoirs have hit rock bottom. The situation is worse in Tamil Nadu where water levels in reservoirs are 80% less than normal.’

This crisis has led to serious consequences. Water shortages have resulted in inter-state tensions between Kerala and Tamil Nadu; to a state-wide bandh (strike) in an effort to receive compensation for poor crop yields following the failure of the winter monsoon; and to an increased number of suicides amongst farmers between December 2016 and January this year. This crisis, which has caught the attention of national and international media, has already led to the mobilization of some relief funds.

This distressing reality has not yet fully impacted life in Auroville. Its position on the Auroville plateau and decades of dedicated work on our forests that support the microclimate and conserve moisture, have kept Auroville in a safe space – so far. The exemplary water conservation practices that have been going on in Auroville – the creation of bunds to prevent rain and surface water run-off, the building of check dams, the creation of ponds and the restoration of open water bodies have helped in recharging the aquifers. Possibly, these efforts, in combination with the unique geological conditions of eastward sloping aquifers that characterize our plateau, have not only built up pressure against seawater intrusion, but have also led to a steadier water supply in our area.

However, these favorable circumstances are changing and the drought phenomenon is now finally catching up. The island effect generated by our unique environment is wearing off, which is seen by the ongoing trend of seawater intrusion into the upper aquifer of a large coastal stretch of our bioregion. Even the Quiet well water is starting to taste salty. This development is corroborated by other wells nearing exhaustion: the shallow wells at the Youth Centre, Revelation and Sve Dame have run dry, the pumps in the wells of Silence and Auroshilpam had to be lowered to reach the sinking water tables and the wells in the Kottakarai region are under stress. While the wells in the Kuilapalayam area are doing better, some wells, such as the one in Auromodèle, need to be compressed to improve their yield. Additionally, wells in villages as close as Periamudalyarchavaddi are running dry and even our farms are running out of water [see the article below]

Previously, some people were skeptical about using the term ‘drought’ to describe the situation in Auroville, but this term can no longer be avoided. Auroville is facing a drought: we are just in the initial stages, but have to face the fact that we are confronted with a looming water crisis.

What are we doing about this? The Auroville Water Group has been working on a long-term and short-term solution. For the long-term, it is working on a water management strategy. For the short-term, it is conceptualizing a crisis management plan.

Water Management Strategy

The water management strategy addresses various fields of action, aiming at a holistic and integral approach to water management. The Water Group has just published ‘Vision and Guiding Principles for Water in Auroville’ for feedback.

A strategy, based on both the current situation and the vision of where we want to go, is being worked out; it proposes a phase-wise implementation of the guidelines.

As part of the strategy, the Water Group is compiling past data on the aquifers to understand how things have changed, and is doing its best to deal with a large gap in the data. A GIS web interface has been launched that provides data on Auroville wells that have been monitored over the past six months to one year.

Crisis Management Plan

The crisis management plan, also mentioned in the Guiding Principles, is currently receiving priority, given our precarious situation. It is still a work in progress, but the basic principles are simple: the idea is to abstract water from wells that still have an abundant supply and deliver it to areas that have completely run out of water. Major Auroville working groups have been informed and are ready to collaborate – this attempt is going to require everyone’s cooperation for it to work. The Water Group is currently assembling a team that is ready to step into action before and during the emergency.

‘What else can be done?’ The answer is simple: conserve water! Ideas on how to best save water can be found at aurovillewater.in/for-aurovilians, and all Aurovilians are called upon to collaborate. Large water consumers, such as the Matrimandir, farms and construction sites, are advised to minimize their water consumption. ‘The Matrimandir has reduced its water consumption by about 20 % compared to last year, especially in the undeveloped gardens, and has also replaced the system of 40-year old potentially leaky water lines in its outer garden area,’ says John, one of the executives of the Matrimandir. Project holders of construction sites have been asked to cover cured cement to conserve moisture and avoid repeated water application.

These acts are already leading to a more conscious use of water in Auroville. Many Aurovilians have joined the efforts at conserving water by repairing leaking pipes and minimizing the watering of gardens. This is the best way to help: by stepping up, taking responsibility for our actions and spreading a spirit of solidarity and togetherness to aid in this effort of working together and facing this situation as a community.   

Guiding Principals

The Vision and Guiding Principles for Water in Auroville addresses water security, water environment, water stewardship, water governance, water education and water research. As stated in this document Auroville will:

- Provide water for all inhabitants;

- Grow into a township sensitive to water in its environment;

- Obtain water from all renewable sources;

- Steward water with care and effectivity;

- Govern water responsibly, openly and fairly in an evolving society;

- Integrate water education and research