'Droughts' leading to widespread destitution have been embedded features in the history of the Indian Thar. But never have cycles of drought contributed to impoverishment of the poor in such a significant way as they have done through the 1990s continuing in the early years of the 21st century.
There have been conflicting opinions regarding the causal factors that lie behind these 'drought conditions'. These differences in situating causes are related to differing perceptions, ideologies and positions about the causes of 'drought'.
The Indian Meteorological Department defines meteorological drought as a situation when the deficiency of rainfall at a meteorological sub-division level is 25 per cent or more of the long-term average. This leads to massive crop losses, drying of grasslands, putting all agricultural activities to a standstill. An agricultural drought is often complemented by extended periods of acute water scarcity for drinking as well as irrigation. There is a depletion of ground water levels, drying up of all reservoirs, canals and village ponds. Western Rajasthan and north Gujarat, having extensive stretches of arid and semi-arid regions are 'drought prone regions' doomed to face recurrent 'droughts'.
The state of Rajasthan has faced severe droughts. In the drought of 2002 all 32 districts (41,000 villages) in the state were declared drought affected by the government and 45 million people (out of 56 million of State population) were estimated to be in need of relief.
There is little doubt that failure of monsoons has its role to play in precipitating 'drought', but changes in the government policies and livelihood practices of the rural communities play an important role in exacerbating its impact. Vulnerability to droughts, especially of the poor and marginal has increased as a result of long- term processes triggered by rapid population growth, over extraction of groundwater and neglect of traditional rainwater harvesting structures that have accentuated water shortages. Further mechanization of agriculture and decline in the area available for grazing has reduced fodder availability and contributed to soil erosion. Fall in income from agriculture and animal husbandry has made it difficult for poor families to sustain their families for more than 4-6 months from their own production; leaving very little for the lean period.
Declaration of drought in the IGNP canal areas has questioned the assumption, originating in the colonial times, about the role of the perennial irrigation schemes in liberating regions and communities from 'drought'. In fact many regions of the command area of IGNP Stage II, not only suffer from lack of water for irrigation but in many areas there has been an acute scarcity of even water for drinking.
Sustainable solutions to 'droughts' in the Thar lie in responding to 'drought' not only in terms of emergency relief but also as a development issue. Oxfam GB an international development organization has been working for reducing the vulnerability of the poor to droughts in the desert areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The Sustainable livelihoods programme of Oxfam GB has been engaged in developing closely woven and intensive interventions in an attempt to reduce vulnerability to 'drought'. Spread over the desert districts of Barmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner these interventions are being carried out in sixteen villages. In the rainfed regions, the focus is on issues like protecting villages against drinking water scarcity by combining traditional water harvesting techniques with new technologies. Other interventions address agriculture diversification through agro-forestry and supporting livestock through pastureland development
In 53 villages of Rapar and Khadir block of the Kutch district in Gujarat, Oxfam has been working to augment drinking water availability for human and livestock and meeting the critical irrigation needs. The main focus is to restore traditional water harvesting structures like earthen 
ponds and wells, and develop innovative practices like roof top water harvesting structures and farm ponds. A 
key strategy has been to focus on processes by which communities especially women and other vulnerable groups manage and maintain assets created during these interventions.
Oxfam GB plans to hold a two- day Consultation-Workshop on 'Drought Mitigation Strategies for the Arid Zone' on the 26th and 27th of August in Jaipur. The workshop plans to bring together NGOs, Government, international humanitarian and development organizations, academic institutions and media to foster debate on aspects like factors contributing to the intensity of drought, components of sustainable livelihood options and strategies for their implementation. Besides this, the workshop would afford an opportunity to learn about innovative efforts undertaken to strengthen food security in drought prone regions.
22 August 2004
Rahul Ghai is a free lancer writing for
Oxfam GB West India.
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