Local regulation in Groundwater Case Study: Ban on Boreholes Village Maramreddypalli Nellore, Andhra Pradeh, India

Maramreddypalli: mountains and paddyfields

In Village Maramreddypalli groundwater has stabilized at 15 meter (40 feet)

Unlike other parts of Nellore District where groundwater tables have fast declined in the last fifteen years

This was achieved through:  Measures to capture rainwater  Measures to reduce water loss  Ban on borewells - except for drinking water

Water Management Strategy of Maramreddypalli  Use open dug wells  Main irrigation tank  Mini tank  Channel lining  Rain-fed farming

Open well

The Main Irrigation Tank: 25 ha

Percolation tank - restored with help of women

Only open wells for agriculture: Operated with diesel pumpsets No borewells (tubewells) are allowed for agricultural use!

Borewells are only allowed for drinking water

To reduce water losses, water from open wells is conveyed through pipes and tubes

Irrigation canals are kept in order With shade trees Lined

Apart from paddy…

Rain-fed crops also still important Millet and sunflower

The ban on borewells was introduced in 1995 by the Village Government in consultation with elders

This followed the severe water shortage of Moreover, following the expansion of inland shrimp fishery from 1990 onwards everyone had seen wells falling dry and even drinking water supply being jeopardized…

The ban on boreholes continues to be supervised by village government

Subba ReddySreenivasulu And supported by the local consensus that: We don’t want bore holes The tube well culture brought our country to deteriorating conditions”

Enforcement In 2001 one person started drilling a borewell at midnight All villagers – including women – and the village committee forced him to stop Afterwards no one has attempted to drill a borewell

Acknowledgement This case study is based on the work of TM Gowri Shankar, Remede, Nellore (India) With assistance of Marleen Nooij