Decommissioning of open wells: Is all well in the villages?

In recent years, there has been a notable trend towards overdependence on groundwater for irrigation in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka and the Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh. The transformation in the region has been marked by a growing number of cases where farmers are drilling borewells as a response to the declining water table over the years. Consequently, farmers have neglected and discarded surface and sub-surface water sources like open wells.

Multiple factors contribute to this occurrence, such as the reduction in water levels in open wells, the possible extent of land that can be brought under cultivation if the open well is decommissioned, the logistical challenges of drawing water for irrigation from these sources, and the perceived convenience of making use of borewells for irrigation.

To understand the factors contributing to the decommissioning of open wells, a quick study was conducted with 15 small and marginal farmers from 8 villages: Gudipalli, Kothuru, Rechanayakanahalli, Kamasanipalli, and Kamathampalli, of Chikkaballapura district, and Mallayagaripalle, Bandameedapalle, and Gundlaguttathanda of Annamayya district.

The interviewed farmers who decommissioned open wells use borewells for irrigation and cultivate water-intensive cash crops like paddy, tomato, sunflower, and vegetable. Each of the villages visited, on average, has 96 households; approximately 11 have open wells and 46 have borewells. The open wells were as big as 6–11 meters in radius on average, indicating variability in size and water holding capacity.

Insights from the study

The practice of decommissioning open wells in this region has been on the rise in recent times, influenced by several reasons that led to their abandonment. According to farmers, one key factor is the aspiration of small-scale farmers to expand their farmland, prompting them to shut down wells to utilise the space for farming purposes. These open wells, as big as a radius of around 8 meters or more, represent land that can be used for cultivation, making them an attractive choice for farmers looking to increase their agricultural yield.

Another main reason highlighted by farmers during the study was the reduced availability of water in open wells due to factors like low rainfall and poor maintenance, making them less dependable sources for irrigation. Consequently, they choose to leave these wells in favour of options such as borewells, especially in areas where groundwater levels are adequate for extraction.

Many of the farmers interviewed, especially from Karnataka, also said that the operation costs of diesel motors installed for pumping water from open well pits are a rather expensive burden when compared to the cost of pumping borewells, where electricity bills for agricultural purposes are free. Moreover, the logistical challenges of repairing diesel motors, including the need to transport them to nearby towns where repair services are available, further exacerbate the economic disadvantages of relying on open wells for irrigation.

In addition to the previously mentioned reasons for decommissioning open wells, farmers have reported other factors that worry them and lead to the sealing of these wells. Farmers have observed that water drawn from open wells can obstruct drip and sprinkler irrigation systems used for efficient water distribution in agriculture.

The presence of debris and sediments in water drawn from open wells may clog drip or sprinkler irrigation pipes, leading to disruption in the irrigation process. This will not only affect the crop yield but also increase repair and maintenance costs. Unused open wells pose significant safety hazards, as there have been incidents of people and animals accidentally falling into these wells. They can lead to injuries and fatalities, posing risks to human or animal lives. Hence, farmers choose to seal the open wells.

Farmers interviewed in the study stated that the increase in the number and depth of borewells in the area could also cause nearby open wells to dry up. This is because pumping groundwater from borewells can deplete aquifers, resulting in a decrease in water levels in the adjoining open wells.

Significance of open wells in the ecosystem

Increased dependency on borewells for irrigation has created concerns over the sustainability of groundwater. Neglecting and discarding traditional surface and sub-surface water sources like open wells comes with its own set of consequences. Open wells support local ecosystems by providing resilience against droughts and water scarcity. They not only play a major role in providing water for irrigation but also contribute to groundwater recharge, particularly in regions where they are strategically situated to arrest rainwater and enable it to seep into the underlying aquifers.

Moreover, open wells frequently hold historical and cultural importance within communities, serving as gathering places and focal points of social interaction. By transitioning from open wells to borewells, the resilience and sustainability of local water systems, including socio-cultural aspects, are inadvertently weakened.

Furthermore, open wells serve as important habitats and sources of drinking water for wildlife, including birds and other animals. These two districts have several open wells that offer nesting space for birds, such as the Baya weaver. This opens up valuable opportunities for bird-watching and wildlife appreciation, enriching the biodiversity of rural landscapes and fostering a connection between nature and people.

Open wells also hold cultural and recreational significance within communities. During the summer months, the youth of the village gather around to swim and cool off, creating a social space for leisure and relaxation. Such communal activities improve social and intergenerational interactions and contribute to the overall well-being and cohesion of rural communities.

This recent development of the decommissioning of open wells calls for further investigation and requires the collaborative efforts of all the stakeholders to find a solution. This highlights the need for a balanced, integrated approach to water resource management that recognizes the value of both traditional and modern water sources and their conservation and integrates this with knowledge, data, and information to serve subsistence and livelihood needs.

Ultimately, ensuring that "all is well" in villages requires thoughtful consideration of the complex interplay between economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity, with a focus on fostering resilience and inclusive growth for rural communities.

Author

Seema Vigneshwar Shastri is a development professional with eleven years of experience in both grassroots-level implementation, project management, and research and studies. She is currently leading the Learning, Measurement and Evaluation team at the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

The survey of the farmers was conducted by Mr. Noor Jan S and Mr. Bangar Shaheen Sha, who are members of the Learning Measurement and Evaluation team, FES, from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, respectively.