Indigenous Water Distribution Methods in Karnataka: Yajaman Panagars and Tukkadi Systems
Ajeya Kumar M. V1
1 Research Scholar, Department of Studies and Research in Political Science,
Tumkur University, Tumakuru 572103,
Lecturer, Govt.P U College, Irakasandra, Koratagere Taluk, Tumkur Dist. Karnataka State
E-mail: ajaytumkur1@gmail.com,
Mobile No: 9886359848
Abstract
Water is an essential commodity for survival and development. But the ever-increasing human population, technological modernization, changing life patterns and erratic monsoons are likely to lead to water crisis in this millennium. In this study Indigenous water distribution systems of Karnataka have been studied. The best water management unique systems based on the local environment ensured that individual needs were met through an equitable management of the collective resource. The management of water is about building relationship of society with its water, so that we can understand the value of each raindrop and understand that unless we are prudent, indeed frugal, with our use of this precious resource, there will never be enough water for all. Water management is then about society and its ability to build technologies to maximize the use of water and more importantly, technologies to share water with all. It is for this reason that we must re-learn the water-wisdom of the past. The practices followed by our ancestors for distribution of tank water are numerous. In Karnataka Yajaman Pannagars and Tukkadi Systems are good and traditional methods for distribution of water. Yajaman Pannagars system in Jetti Agrahara is a village in Koratagere Taluk of Tumkur District. Tukkadi system in Hanumanahalli, Meleri, Kammadatti and Uttanuru in Mulbagal taluk of Kolar District.
Keywords: Water Management, Traditional Methods, Pannagars System, Tukkadi System
Introduction
Water was truly a community asset. The idea to explore and document the traditional systems of water management emerged from this background. The practices followed by our ancestors for distribution of tank water are numerous. As the days pass water is becoming scare even in the areas, where it was thought to be plenty. It is important to learn what our ancestors and elders were doing in the Past. Thought India, several Indigenous ways have been devised to distribute water. They are known as traditional water distribution systems. The care and concern they took especially during drought and the spirit of sharing they demonstrated while using whatever little water was available is worth emulating. Many practices have not been recorded, and, thus, are lost. An introduction to the two traditional practices that highlight the wisdom of farmers in irrigating their lands. Jetti Agrahara is a village in Koratagere Taluk of Tumkur District Karnataka State. It is home to a large tank with a command area of 477 acres. This tank serves as a lifeline for humans and cattle from six villages. It is also a major resource that recharges open wells and bore wells in the area. A unique, community-based system known as the yajaman panagar system, which is in practice in all the six villages, ensures efficient and equitable distribution of tank water. The system, which is simple, and yet very precise in the way it is implemented, fosters a spirit of cooperation among farmers. It is also one that can become a model for replication regardless of region and area.
Yajaman Panagar system in Jetti Agrahara:
Jetti Agrahara is one such village where the system has been kept alive. It has come to be known as the yajaman panagar system. Yajaman means a farmer belonging to the command area and Panagar is a version of the Marathi word Panagrahi. By its very title, it conveys the synergy between the two, and that it provides equal responsibilities and rights to farmers of the command area as well as those who regulate the water. Though no definite records are available, according to the community, a queen called Ammajamma gifted Jetti Agrahara to the Jattis in 1870. To mark the occasion of this endowment, a small tank was built in the village. It was converted into a large tank in 1904. The catchment area of the tank is 7.29 sq. km and the water-spread area is 299 acres. The command area is 477 acres spread over six villages i.e. Jetti Agrahara, Kallukundahalli, Jampenahalli, Beladarahalli, Navilu Kurke and Malleswara Palya. 853 farmers of these villages derive benefits from the tank. The land in the command area has been divided into landholdings of a minimum of 0.25 gunta and a maximum of 14 guntas per person. The neeruganti gets four acres, the village head gets 14 acres, the Jattis get 14 acres and the family of the village accountant 14 acres as inam, a grant in perpetuity. The yajaman panagar is vested with the duties of ensuring equitable distribution of water, maintenance of Raja Kaluves (main canals) and supervision of sluices.
Selection process of Yajaman Panagars are chosen at a village meeting where villagers from the six villages gather and indicate their selection after a mutual discussion. Caste and creed are not considerations for selection and everybody is eligible. Farmers who can influence opinion within the community and bring them together are given preference. Four individuals from the two villages on the left bank canal and six from the three villages on the right bank canal are appointed as yajaman panagars. The performance of the yajaman panagars is assessed by the community every year, and those who are found lacking in their work are replaced with more committed persons.
The functioning before deciding on the crop to be grown in the command area, the yajaman panagar calls for a meeting of the farmers. Depending upon the level of water in the tank, a collective decision acceptable to all the farmers is taken. Paddy is grown when the tank is full; millet, groundnut or a similar crop is grown if it has 18-19 feet of water. If the water level is about 12-13 feet, only areca and coconut plantations receive water. The timings and quantity of water to be released from the tanks is dependent on the decision about which crop will be grown. When the decision has been in favour of paddy, water is released to the entire command area twice a day through both the sluices for the first month. Interestingly, fields at the farthest end are irrigated during night for two chief reasons. Providing water during daytime might result in the farmers at the base of the tank pressurising the neeruganti into giving them more than their due share of water. Second, it is believed that water flows faster when temperatures fall, and can reach the farthest fields more speedily. By themselves these are small efforts, by when combined they go a long way towards enabling equitable water distribution, and help to prevent avoidable skirmishes within the community.
The yajaman panagar has several other responsibilities. Chief among them are:
• Ensuring the participation of the entire community in de-silting the main canal and cleaning it
• Motivating the community for shramadaan when necessary
• Levying fines on those who do not respond to requests for shramadaan
• Supervising the work of the neeruganti
• Ensuring that sluices and regulators are maintained in good condition
• Resolving disputes that might arise between farmers from either side of the command area
• Collecting crop cess
• Monitoring the canals for encroachments and taking timely action against the encroachers
• Coordinating with the irrigation department etc. Frequently, it is the wastage, rather than shortage of water that poses major problems to the community.
There are many instances where personal enmity and greed prevent fair and equitable distribution of water even when the tank is full. In suchinstances, the yajaman panagar system is helpful and actually helps to bring the community together.
Tukkadi System
While building tanks the community devoted special attention towards the courtyard, command area and the maintenance of the tank. Towards this, various indigenous systems and practices were followed bearing in mind the needs of each village and the geographical location of the tank. The tukkadi or the Restriction system is one such unique practice and was earlier in practice in several tanks of Mulbagal taluk of Kolar District. Presently it is followed only in the four tanks of Hanumanahalli, Meleri, Kammadatti and Uttanuru. Under this system, the command area is divided into three portions and water is provided to each of them in turns every season. It is a system worked out through consensus by the community during times of water shortage. Created through wisdom and experience, this system meets the requirements of the farmers equitably. Tukkadi system in Kammadatti village The tukkadi system is still actively pursued in Kammadatti village in Mulbagal taluk of Kolar District. Kammadatti village falls under the purview of the village panchayat of Devaraya Samudra and is situated on the Mulbagal-Kolar road. It was once a sugarcane-growing area in the dry belt of eastern Karnataka. The tank here receives water from several canals. The command area has 102 farmers and four wells. There is a Kalyani in the tank used by people for drinking water purposes. The tank has two sluices, and four Raja Kaluves (main canals). Paddy is the major crop grown in this region. Four other villages in the command area also follow the tukkadi rules.
A huge rock known as kokkare gutte in the centre of the tank is used as a yardstick to assess the level of water in the tank. According to the community, this natural formation is about nine feet high. When the rock is totally submerged in water, the tank overflows, and when the water level is at about six feet, a second crop can be grown. When the level is less than six feet, no crop is raised. Instead, the tank water is used only for washing clothes and as drinking water for cattle. The community has divided the command area into three portions. These have been named as: Halla kattu, Modala kattu and Medu kattu. It is also possible that a farmer may get his turn only once in many years. The rule is waived only for those farmers who have wells, provided they cultivate the crop specified by the community.
Conclusion
Yajaman panagara and tukkadi systems are excellent examples of the traditional wisdom exhibited by elders. They also symbolise their spirit of cooperation, which can serve as a lesson for contemporary life. In order to cater to the water requirement of the expanding population, the existing water resources must be conserved and prevented from further degradation and depletion. Sincere efforts are needed to revive the water distribution methods through their proper maintenance and use. It is for the society to come forward and take a lead in distribution of water, using a mixture of traditional and modern techniques.
References