Citizen Survey Report on Access, Quality and Management of Water in Schedule V Areas of Chhattisgarh

Citizen Survey Report on Access, Quality and Management

of Water in Schedule V Areas of Chhattisgarh

Participatory Research in Asia

About the Document

This document highlights, in a simple and engaging manner, the key findings of a citizen survey conducted during

April-June 2013 in four Schedule V districts of Chhattisgarh. It highlights key issues related to access and quality of

drinking and irrigation water for the tribal communities residing in those districts. Further it throws light on the

status of key stakeholder's action on the identified water problems, with special focus on the participation of the

tribal community in management of water related schemes and programmes.

The document is organized in the following manner:

Citizen Survey Overview

Section 1: Access to Drinking water

Section-2: Quality of Drinking water

Section3-Access to Irrigation water

Section 4-Stakeholder action on water issues

Section 5- Community's participation in water management

Recommendations

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Source: https://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&authuser=0&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1242&bih=585&q=chhattisgarh+district+map&oq

Sample Districts

Citizen Survey Report on Access, Quality and Management of Water in Schedule V Areas of Chhattisgarh

Citizen Survey Overview

Context:

Objective:

Sample:

Survey Methodology:

Since December 2011 PRIA, with the support of Arghyam, Bangalore, was engaged in an Action Research

intervention in Chhattisgarh on the implementation of Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas(PESA),Act 1996

provisions, with special focus on water management issues. As part of that intervention a citizen survey was

undertaken during April-June 2013 in four Schedule V districts of Chhattisgarh (Korba, Kanker, Rajnandgoan and

Surguja). The survey was conducted by PRIA with support of Arghyam Bangalore and in collaboration with SROUT,

Korba district; Disha Seva Sansthan, Kanker district; Jankalyan Samajik Sansthan,Rajnandgaon district; and Path

Pradarshak, Surguja district of Chhattisgarh. It was conducted during a grassroots campaign held in the sample

panchayats on building awareness on PESA provisions and need for decentralised management of water.

The main objective on the citizen survey was to assess the status of access to and quality of drinking and irrigation

water for the tribal communities of Chhattisgarh; measures taken to address the water problem; and the

participation of gramsabha in management of water programmes and schemes.

The purposive sample included 160 citizen respondents from 20 panchayats of 4 blocks of the four districts. While

Korba, Kanker and Surguja are completely under Schedule V area, Rajnandgoan is partially under Schedule V

areas . From each district one block was chosen, and from that block 5 panchayats were identified in a purposive

manner. These were the blocks were the partner NGO had been working with the community and water had been

identified as an area of concern.

The sample included 80 tribal women and 80 men respondents, with 98.1% being tribal community members.

Among the respondents 40% were less than 40 years and 60% between 40-70 years and 47.5% were illiterate.

Further 83.1% were cultivators and 97.5% were below poverty line.

The research method primarily included individual interviews and observation. They were aided by a semi

structured interview guide, with qualitative and quantitative questions. Quantitative analysis was undertaken of the

village level stakeholders responses with the help of the statistical package, SPSS.

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Section I : Access to Drinking Water



• Majority of respondents (68.8% )

depend on hand pumps as source of

drinking water, followed by 26.2 % on

wells. More than 80% of villagers of

Surguja and Rajnandgaon primarily

depends upon hand pump, while in

Korba and Kaker more than 32% of

the respondents were dependent on

wells as source of drinking water.

• 81.2% of tribal population across 4

districts face drinking water problem,

with people in Surguja and Korba

districts facing more problems as

compared to other districts.

• 42% of tribal population across 4

districts stated inadequate hand

pumps as one of the main problems

facing them in relation to drinking

water access. Surguja district had

highest respondents stating that

problem, as compared to Korba

district , which had the least

responses.

Sources of Drinking Water

Main Problems Related to Drinking Water Access

Figure 1 : Sources of Drinking Water

Figure 2 : Problem of Drinking Water

Figure 3 : Problem of Inadequate Hand Pumps

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districts stated non-functional hand

pumps as a significant problem .This

problem was stated by highest

respondents in Kaker district and

least by respondents of Surguja

district.

• Only 1.2% of tribal population across

4 districts stated not having piped

water supply as a significant problem

related to access to drinking

water.This included 2.5%

respondents from Korba and Surguja

districts.


districts stated having no water in

hand pumps as one of the main

problem related to access to drinking

water. Highest number of

respondents in Korba district stated

this problem and least number in

Kaker district.

Figure 4 : Problem of Non - Functional Hand Pumps

Figure 6 : Problem of No Piped Water Supply

Figure 5 : Problem of No Water in Hand Pumps

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• 30% of tribal population across 4

districts stated getting adequate

water for more than six months in a

year. Respondents in Surguja and

Korba districts faced more problems

related to water adequacy through the

year as compared to Kaker and

Rajnandgaon district.


districts stated getting drinking water

within 100 meters from their home.

Respondents in Surguja district

faced most problems related to

distance of drinking water, while 45%

of people in Korba stated getting

water in less than 50 meters.

Figure 7 : Water Adequacy Status

Figure 8 : Drinking Water Distance

Water Adequacy and Distance

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Drinking water problem is an area on concern,with 81.2% of tribal population across 4 districts stating

drinking water problem.

Handpump was the main source of drinking water for 68.8% of the tribal community, with 26.2% of the

community stating wells as important water source. Dhondi was stated as important water source only by

3.1% of the community.

Interestingly,in relation to main drinking water problem,while 58.1% mentioned in adequate hand pump

availability, 69.4% mentioned handpumps not being functional and 82.5% mentioned no water in the

handpumps.Not having piped water supply was not expressed as a problem by large majority of the

respondents.One of the underlined reasons could be their non familiarity with this source of water.

64.4% of the respondents stated availability of drinking water within 100 meters of their home, which is a

positive trend.

Emerging Trends

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Comparative picture:

Despite stating adequate presence of hand pumps by Korba and Kaker respondents, there is comparatively

higher dependence on wells as source of water by respondents of both these districts. Higher number

expressed problem of non-functional hand pumps in Kaker and no water in hand pumps in Korba could be

one possible reason for this trend.

Further in Surguja, despite having inadequate number of hand pumps, the data suggests that those hand

pumps available are functional. In addition problem of distance while accessing water in Surguja could be due

to the inadequate hand pumps available.

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Section II : Quality of Drinking Water


Section II : Quality of Drinking Water


districts stated problem of iron in

hand pump water as a major drinking

water problem. The highest

respondents were from Surguja and

Kaker district.

Problems Related to Drinking Water Quality

Figure 9 : Problem of Iron in Hand Pumps


districts shared problem of dirty water

in wells and dhondi as significant

problems. People in Kaker and

Surguja districts stated this problem

more than that of the other districts.

Figure 10 : Problem of Dirty Water in Wells and Dhondhi


districts stated problem of dirty hand

pump water as a significant problem.

It included higher number of

respondents from Rajnandgoan and

Korba districts.

Figure 11 : Problem of Dirty Hand Pump Water

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Main problems related to quality of problem included iron in hand pump water (as stated by 56.9% of the

respondents), followed by unclean water in well and dhondhi (as stated by 21.9% of the respondents) and

dirty water in hand pump (as shared by 19.4% of the respondents).Presence of floride in hand pump water

was stated only by 2.5% of the respondents.

The survey confirmed the adverse health impacts faced by the community due to poor quality of water, which

included skin allergies, blackening of teeth, diarrhoea, etc. The adverse impact of poor quality water on

children's health is an area of concern.

Comparative picture:

Surguja and Kaker district respondents stated greater problems related to iron in water.

Rajnandgaon and Korba district respondents stated higher incidence of dirty water in hand pumps as main

problems related to quality of water.

Emerging Trends

• Only 2.5% of tribal population across

4 districts stated problem of floride in

hand pump water as a main problem.

It includes 10% respondents from

Surguja district.

Figure 12 : Problem of Floride in Hand Pumps

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Section III : Access to Drinking Water


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50.6% of tribal population across 4 districts stated facing problem related to irrigation water availability.

Rain water was the main source of irrigation water for 88.8% of the community, with dabri use for irrigation

stated only by 0.6%.of the community respondents.

In addition 27.5% of respondents in Korba specified not storing the rain water and 7.5% as no stop dam

facility as problems related to irrigation water. This was affecting the agricultural productivity of the region.

Emerging Trends

Section III : Access to Irrigation Water

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50.6% of tribal population across 4

districts stated facing irrigation water

problem. People in Korba and Surguja

districts stated this problem more

than the other districts.

Further all the tribal respondents

across 4 districts mentioned

dependence on rain water as the

source of irrigation. None of them

mentioned any other source of

irrigation, like tube wells etc.

Problems Related to Water for Irrigation

Figure 13 : Problem of Irrigation water

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Dependency on rain water was

specified as a problem by 87.5% of

the respondents.

In addition 27.5% of respondents in

Korba specified not storing the rain

water and 7.5% as no stop dam

facility as problems related to

irrigation water.

Figure 14 : Dependency only on Rain Water - Dominant Problem

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Comparative Picture

People in Korba and Surguja districts expressed greater problem related to availability of irrigation water as

compared to other districts.

Korba respondents also stated not storing the rain water and having no stop dam facility as problems

related to irrigation water.

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Emerging Trends

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Section IV : Stakeholder Action on Water Issues


Section IV : Stakeholder Action on Water Issues


districts stated that in the last one

year no government departments

had taken concrete action to address

the water related problems faced by

the community. Government

department's inaction was stated to

be higher in Surguja and

Rajnandgaon districts, than in Kaker

and Korba.

Addressal of Water Problems

Figure 15 : Government Action on Water Problems-in Last One Year

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districts stated that their gram

panchayats were very active on

development issues and 56.2%

stated that their gram panchayat was

moderately active on ensuring

development of their panchayat.

Highest number of people in Surguja

districts stated having inactive gram

panchayats, while highest number of

respondents of Korba districts stated

very active gram panchayats.

Figure 16 : Gram Panchayat Status on Ensuring Development of Panchayat-in Last One Year

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districts stated that the gram

panchayats had taken action to

address the water related problems

faced by the tribal community, with

highest respondents from Surguja

district and least from Rajnandgoan

district.

In addition 99.4% of tribal population

across 4 districts stated that the

adjoining Industry had taken no action

to address the water related problems

faced by the tribal community.

Figure 17 : Panchayat Action on Water Problems-in Last One Year

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Despite the water crisis, the survey has shown that the government, as well as panchayat's action on

addressing the water problem is far from satisfactory.

66.2% of the respondents mentioned that government had not taken effective action, 57.5% mentioned that

panchayats had not taken effective action, and 99.4% mentioned industry had not taken any action to

address the water problem. Supportive action of no other organisation was mentioned.

Comparative Picture:

Government department's inaction was stated to be higher in Surguja (77.5%) and Rajnandgaon (72.5%)

districts.

However highest number of people in Surguja (69.2%) districts also stated that the gram panchayats had

taken action to address the water related problems, thus suggesting that the panchayats were more active

than the government on water issues.

Interestingly in conflict affected area (Kaker) 40% of the respondents stated that government had taken action

on water related problems, which is a good trend.

Emerging Trends

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Section V : Community's Participation in Water Management




districts stated that they had attended

at least one gram sabha since last

one year, with highest number of

respondents from Surguja and

Rajnandgaon district.

Gram Sabha Status

Figure 18 : Attend any Gram Sabha in Last One Year


districts stated discussing water

problems during the gram sabha,

with highest number of respondents

from Surguja and then Rajnandgaon

district.

Figure 19 : Water Discussed in Gram Sabha

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districts were not aware/informed

about the different government

schemes / programmes related to

drinking and irrigation water. The

highest number of unaware

respondents were from Kaker district

and most informed were from Surguja

district.

In addition none of the tribal

population across 4 districts were

aware/informed about PESA, 1996

Act before the grassroots campaign

on PESA and water management.

Figure 20 : Aware About Government Programme on Water

Information Status

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districts were not involved in the

planning phase of these water

programmes / schemes.Only 2.5% of

respondents in Korba and Surguja

district stated that they had been

involved in the planning phase of

these water programmes / schemes.

Figure 21 : Involvement in Planning of Water Programme

Participation in Water Programmes / Schemes

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75% of tribal population across 4

districts stated not spending time to

manage/maintain community water

sources like hand pumps, dhondi,

dabri, lakes, ponds, wells.

The positive side was that 50% of

respondents in Korba, followed by

22.5% of respondents of Surguja

district stated spending time to

manage/maintain community water

sources.

Figure 22 : Contributed Time to Manage/Maintain Water Structure / Sources

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districts stated not contributing

money to manage/maintain

community water sources like hand

pumps, dhondi, dabri, lakes, ponds,

wells.

The positive side was that 42.5% of

respondents in Surguja, followed by

25% of respondents of Korba stated

contributing money to manage/

maintain community water sources.

Figure 23 : Contributed Money to Manage / MaintainWater Sources / Structures

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districts stated willingness to pay

less than Rs. 50 per month for

drinking water, while another 38.1%

stated willingness to pay between Rs.

51-100 per month for the drinking

water.

In Korba highest percentage of

respondents stated that they were

willing to pay between Rs. 51-100 for

drinking water, followed by Kaker

district.

In addition all the tribal respondents

across 4 districts stated not spending

time to monitor the functioning of the

government department staff on

water management issues.

Figure 24 : Willing to Pay for Drinking Water

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Survey findings reflect very poor participation of the gram sabha members in different stages of managing

water related programmes/schemes .

None of the tribal community respondents were aware about PESA, and only 51.9% were aware about

government programmes on water.

67.5% of the community respondents mentioned attending at least one gram sabha meeting since last one

year,with 43.1% mentioned attending 2-3 gram sabha in last one year. Interestingly 48.1% mentioned

discussing the issue of water in the gram sabha meeting.

The survey shows that 98.8% of the gram sabha members had not been involved in the planning phase of

water related initiatives of the government or panchayat initiated water initiatives . Further 75% of

respondents mentioned not contributing time and 76.9% mentioned not contributing money to manage

water related structures , and 100% mentioned not monitoring water programmes.

It was however heartening to see that 58.8% of the tribal community was willing to pay less than Rs 50 per

month for water, while 38.1% was willing to pay between Rs 51-100 per month for water.

Emerging Trends

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Comparative Picture:

As compared to other sample districts, higher number of respondents in Surguja and Rajnandgaon district

stated attending atleast one gram sabha in the last one year, discussing water problems during the gram

sabha, and being aware about the government programmes on water

Only respondents from Korba and Surguja district showed some evidence of participation in management

of water programmes. 2.5% of respondents in Korba and Surguja stated that they had been involved in the

planning phase of these water programmes/schemes, and 50% of respondents in Korba, followed by 22.5%

of respondents of Surguja stated spending time to manage/maintain community water sources.

Further in Korba highest percentage of respondents (62.5%), followed by Kaker district ( 55%) shared their

willingness to pay between Rs 51-100 for drinking water.

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Recommendations

Building from the findings of this citizen survey, some recommendations are included to ensure decentralised management of water, which could address some of the water related problems of the tribal community. These recommendations are addressed specially to key water related government departments, which include the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED), the Water Resource Department and the Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Chhattisgarh.:

Structured efforts by water related departments like Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) and

Water Resource Department, in terms of financial, human, technical and information resources, to address

the access and quality related problems of water in schedule V areas.

Activate and strengthen functioning of Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSC) and Water User

Associations (WUAs) as Standing committees / Sub committee of the Panchayats.

Strengthen capacity of panchayat representatives and their standing committee (including VWSC and WUAs)

on PESA provisions, decentralised planning and water management aspects.

Strengthen capacity of technical staff of water related line departments on decentralised planning and

management, and on PESA act provisions, especially for schemes being implemented in schedule V areas.

Ensure development of panchayat level plans on water, in all existing water related programmes and

schemes, with special focus on schedule V areas.

Make the panchayat level plan as basis for allocation of resources to Panchayats from different water related

schemes and other sources.

Engage the VWSC and WUAs and gramsabha members in monitoring, implementation and maintenance of

water structures in the area.

Promote convergence between line department led and panchayat led planning initiatives by incentivizing

convergence through mutually agreed targets.

Strengthen internal and external planning and monitoring systems in water related departments, on building

community based water management systems.

Expedite time bound formulation of operational rules for the implementation of PESA act, in consultation with

technical experts and practitioners.

Set up effective monitoring and reporting process for implementation of PESA.

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District Profiles

http://saipdata.awardspace.com/chhattisgarh_district-wise_st_population.htm

http://tribal.nic.in/WriteReadData/CMS/Documents/201306061001146927823STProfileataGlance.pdf

http://www.cgforest.com/English/Introduction.htm

http://agridept.cg.gov.in/agriculture/rainfall.htm

http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/chhattisgarh/chhattisgarh.pdf

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Indicators Chhattisgarh Kanker Korba Surguja Rajnandgaon

*Total Population 2,55,40,196 7,48,593 12,06,563 23,61,329 15,37,529

*Rural Population 19603658 6,71,834 760360 21,16,312 12,64,980

(% rural pop) (76.75%) (89.75%) (63.02%) (89.62%) (82.27%)

*Urban Population 5936538 76,759 446203 2,45,017 2,72,540

(% urban pop) (23.25%) (10.25%) (36.98%) (10.38%) (17.72%)

1ST population (% ST pop) 30.6% 56.08% 41.50% 54.60% 26.63%

*Sex Ratio 991/1000 1007/1000 971/1000 976/1000 1017/1000

*Sex Ratio-Rural 1002/1000 1007/1000 996/1000 981/1000 1022/1000

*Sex Ratio-Urban 956/1000 1010/1000 930/1000 934/1000 997/1000

*Average Literacy Rate 71.04 70.97 73.22 61.16 76.97

*Male literacy Rate 81.45 80.03 83.88 71.23 87.19

*Female Literacy Rate 60.59 60.64 62.26 50.88 66.98

*Total Area 135,191 sq km 6513 sq km 6615 km sq 9169 km sq 8068 km sq

2 2 2 2 2Forest Cover 59,772 km 3094 km 3349 km 7133 km 2548 km3(% of land under forest) 44.21%

4Average Rainfall ( Annual) 1100mm 1391.3mm 1506.7mm 1415.4mm 1274.0mm

to 1700 mm

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State Office :

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Phone: (0771) 2442 180 E-mail: [email protected]

© PRIA, March 2014

This publication has been brought out under the PRIA programme titled “Action Research on Implementation of Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act (PESA), 1996 in Chhattisgarh (with special focus on water).”

AuthorThe document is prepared by Mr. Sandeep Rao

Programme Officer PRIA and Dr. Namrata Jaitli Deputy Director, PRIA.

Government & Nonprofit

Citizen Survey Report on Access, Quality and Management of Water in Schedule V Areas of Chhattisgarh