Report Draft-SSAP Arunachal Pradesh

Report (Draft)
State Specific Action Plan for Water Sector-

Arunachal Pradesh
Supported by
Water Resource Department (WRD),

Government of Arunachal Pradesh
© TERI School of Advanced Studies 2018
Suggested format for citation
TERI School of Advanced Studies, 2018
State Specific Action Plan for water Sector- Arunachal Pradesh
New Delhi: TERI School of Advanced Studies
[Project Report No. 2017QP01]
Declaration:
All data used in this work is secondary data source of central and state government agency.
All right is reserved to TERI school of advanced studies and Ms Himani Singh, Ph.D Scholar,
TERISAS for her PhD contribution in this report related to climate change model and
hydrological modelling and analysis.
For more information
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 BACKGROUND 1
1.2 THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY 2
1.3 NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON CLIMATE CHANGE (NAPCC) 2
1.4 NATIONAL WATER MISSION (NWM) 3
1.5 STATE SPECIFIC ACTION PLAN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE (SAPCC) 3
2 ABOUT STATE: A WATER PERSPECTIVE 5
2.1 NATURE AND CULTURE 5

2.2 CLIMATE 6
2.3 PHYSIOGRAPHY 6
2.4 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE 8
2.5 ECONOMIC PROFILE 9
2.6 NATURAL RESOURCES 10
2.6.1 Forest Resources 10
2.6.2 Biodiversity 10
2.6.3 Glaciers 13
2.6.4 Soil 13
2.6.5 Mines & Minerals 14
2.6.6 Surface water resources 14
2.6.7 Ground water resources 15
2.7 LAND USE PATTERN 20
3 WATER CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES 23
3.1 PHYSICAL CHALLENGES 23

3.1.1 Flood inundation and soil erosion 23
3.1.2 Siltation 23
3.1.3 Land slide 24
3.2 TECHNICAL CHALLENGES 24
3.2.1 Surface water resources operational challenges 24
3.2.2 Groundwater challenges 25
3.2.3 Infrastructure related challenges 26
3.2.4 Energy 26
i
3.2.5 Silt and WQ collection network status 26
3.2.6 Frequency of measurement 27
3.3 FINANCIAL CHALLENGES 27
3.4 CLIMATE CHANGE 28
3.4.1 Impact on Water resources 30
3.4.2 Impact on Forest 30
3.4.3 Impact on Agriculture and Horticulture 31
3.4.4 Disaster 31
3.5 WATER OPPORTUNITIES 33
3.5.1 Irrigation created and utilised 33
3.5.2 Groundwater opportunities 34
3.5.3 Water Resource Management 34
4 WATER RESOURCES 48
4.1 AVAILABLE SURFACE WATER RESOURCES: 49

4.2 GLACIERS, LAKES AND OTHER STORAGES 52
4.3 GROUND WATER 57
5 WATER RESOURCES: UTILIZATIONS, CONSUMPTION AND FUTURE

DEMAND 61
5.1 AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE SECTOR 61

5.1.1 Irrigated Area 62
5.1.2 Per Capita Food Demand 65
5.2 DOMESTIC 71
5.3 LIVESTOCK 73
5.4 INDUSTRIAL 76
5.5 INSTITUTIONAL 78
5.6 WATER USES BY FORESTRY 81
5.7 SECTORWISE BANCHMARK FROM THE STATE AVERAGE 84
6 SECTORAL WATER BUDGET: POTENTIAL CREATED AND UTILIZED 88
6.1 PRESENT WATER DEMAND 88

6.2 EXITING POTENTIAL 89
6.3 FUTURE DEMAND 90
6.4 POTENTIAL TO BE CREATED 92
ii
7 CLIMATE CHANGE AND FUTURE 96
7.1 IMPACT OF LAND PRACTICES 99

7.2 IMAPCT OF CLIMATE CHANGE 102
7.3 BENCHMARK FROM THE STATE CLIMATE CHANGE 106
8 ALTERNATIVE INTERVENTIONS REQUIRED WITH RESPECT TO

CLIMATE CHANGE 110
8.1 FLOOD CONTROL 110

8.2 FORESTRY 110
8.3 AGRICULTURE 111
8.4 HORTICULTURE 112
8.5 WATER RESOURCES 113
8.6 HEALTH 113
8.7 POLICIES IN RESPECT TO WATER UTILISATION 116
iii
List of Tables
Table 2-1: The area under various landforms ............................................................................ 6
Table 2-2 Area Production and yield of major crops ............................................................... 10
Table 2-3 Forest Types of Arunachal Pradesh ......................................................................... 11
Table 2-4 Forest change and distribution................................................................................. 11
Table 2-5 Areal statistics of different type of texture in the soil ............................................. 13
Table 2-6: Aquifer type / Geological formation and their Ground water potential in the
Arunachal Pradesh ................................................................................................................... 16
Table 2-7: Rock types and distribution .................................................................................... 16
Table 2-8 Areal distribution of ground water potential zone ................................................... 17
Table 2-9: Land Use / Land Cover .......................................................................................... 20
Table 3-1 Net Sown Area (NSA) and Net Irrigated Area (NIA) (in ha) ................................. 35
Table 3-2 Total surface water supplied (in MCM) for irrigation purposes ............................. 36
Table 3-3 Area under canal irrigation ...................................................................................... 36
Table 3-4 Summary of Information collected though state and central document .................. 37
Table 3-5 Climate and Infrastructure based research grant and financial support from State
and central ................................................................................................................................ 41
Table 4-1 Sources of data ........................................................................................................ 49
Table 4-2 Water availability (in MCM) in different catchments ............................................. 51
Table 4-3 Water availability (in MCM) in different districts .................................................. 52
Table 4-4 Snow melt contribution in the catchment ................................................................ 52
Table 4-5 Lakes numbers and area in the state ........................................................................ 54
Table 4-6 Numbers of Wetlands under various size ................................................................ 55
Table 4-7 Wetland coverage area ............................................................................................ 55
Table 4-8 Reservoir information .............................................................................................. 56
Table 4-9 Groundwater resources ............................................................................................ 58
Table 4-10 Groundwater utilization District-wise ................................................................... 59
iv
Table 4-11 District wise categorization of water level fluctuation 10 years mean .................. 60
Table 5-1 Cultivation practices (in ha) .................................................................................... 61
Table 5-2 Production of crops.................................................................................................. 61
Table 5-3 Production of spices and fruits ................................................................................ 62
Table 5-4 Percentage of Irrigation in Agriculture and Horticulture sector .............................. 64
Table 5-5 Food Availability and Requirement in 2030-31 ...................................................... 66
Table 5-6 Rainfed and Irrigated production and yield ............................................................. 68
Table 5-7 District-wise Agriculture Water Demand ................................................................ 69
Table 5-8 Fish Culture ............................................................................................................. 70
Table 5-9 Fish Production ........................................................................................................ 70
Table 5-10 Drinking water supply ........................................................................................... 71
Table 5-11 District-wise Domestic Annual water demand ...................................................... 72
Table 5-12 Livestock population ............................................................................................. 74
Table 5-13 District wise information of livestock ................................................................... 75
Table 5-14 District-wise Livestock Annual water demand ..................................................... 76
Table 5-15 District-wise Industrial Annual water demand ..................................................... 77
Table 5-16 Water Demand -Medical Institutions .................................................................... 78
Table 5-17 District-wise Medical Institutions Annual water demand ..................................... 79
Table 5-18 Water Demand-Education Sector .......................................................................... 80
Table 5-19 District-wise Educational Annual water demand .................................................. 81
Table 5-20 Water Demand by Forestry ................................................................................... 83
Table 6-1 Present water demand of various sector .................................................................. 88
Table 6-2 Existing potential of various sector ......................................................................... 89
Table 6-3 Existing potential of various sector ......................................................................... 91
Table 6-4 Potential to be created of various sector .................................................................. 92
Table 6-5 Sectoral wise water status of Arunachal .................................................................. 94
v
Table 7-1 Change of runoff in Catchment due to land practices and climate change ............. 98
Table 7-2 Change of runoff in districts due to land practices and climate change .................. 99
Table 7-3 Water balance difference due to Land practices in the catchments ....................... 100
Table 7-4 Water balance difference due to Land practices in the districts ............................ 101
Table 7-5 Water balance difference due to Climate Change in the catchments .................... 104
Table 7-6 Water balance difference due to Climate Change in the districts ......................... 105
Table 7-7 Resources and Water balances of each catchments ............................................... 108
Table 7-8 Resources and Water balances of each districts .................................................... 109
Table 8-1 Interventions and Impact for Supply and Demand sectors .................................... 114
vi
List of Figures
Figure 2-1: Base map of the state .............................................................................................. 5
Figure 2-2: Landforms of state .................................................................................................. 8
Figure 2-3: Population Growth .................................................................................................. 8
Figure 2-4: Forest types ........................................................................................................... 12
Figure 2-5: Change in forest cover .......................................................................................... 12
Figure 2-6: Soil types ............................................................................................................... 14
Figure 2-7: Major Catchment of Arunachal Pradesh ............................................................... 15
Figure 2-8: Geological age Structure ....................................................................................... 18
Figure 2-9: Geological structure .............................................................................................. 19
Figure 2-10: Ground Water Potential ...................................................................................... 19
Figure 2-11: Land Use / Land Cover (2005) ........................................................................... 21
Figure 2-12: Land Use / Land Cover (2005) ........................................................................... 22
Figure 3-1: Impact of Climate Change reported by MoEF & CC ........................................... 32
Figure 4-1: streams and outlets ................................................................................................ 50
Figure 4-2: Macro watershed delineation ................................................................................ 50
Figure 4-3: Change in Total Water availability due land practices at catchment level ........... 51
Figure 4-4: Change in Snow and Glacier cover ....................................................................... 53
Figure 4-5: Wetland of the State .............................................................................................. 57
Figure 5-1: Land under irrigation ............................................................................................ 67
Figure 5-2: Livestock growth................................................................................................... 73
Figure 5-3: Change of Evapotranspiration due to land practices ............................................. 82
Figure 5-4: Benchmarking land and population ...................................................................... 85
Figure 5-5: Benchmarking Domestic and Livestock ............................................................... 85
Figure 5-6: Benchmarking Agriculture sector ......................................................................... 86
Figure 5-7: Benchmarking Irrigation sector ............................................................................ 86
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Figure 5-8: Benchmarking of Institutional sectors .................................................................. 87
Figure 6-1: Present water demand (in MCM) .......................................................................... 89
Figure 6-2: Existing potential in various sectors (in MCM) .................................................... 90
Figure 6-3: Differences between existing potential and current demand (in MCM) ............... 90
Figure 6-4: Future demand in various sectors (in MCM) ........................................................ 91
Figure 6-5: Future potential to be created in various sectors (in MCM) ................................. 93
Figure 7-1: Temperature Difference (in °C) and Precipitation differences (in%) from baseline
(1996-2005) to future simulations (2020-2029) ...................................................................... 96
Figure 7-2: Future Precipitation differences (in %) from baseline (1996-2005) ..................... 97
Figure 7-3: Future Temperature increase (in °C) baseline (1996-2005) ................................. 97
Figure 7-4: Precipitation and water yield during 2012 and 2030 .......................................... 102
Figure 7-5: ET and Snow melt during 2012 and 2030........................................................... 103
Figure 7-6: Resources and water balance benchmark of each catchment from the state ...... 106
Figure 7-7: Resources and water balance benchmark of each district from the state ............ 107
viii
Introduction
1 Introduction
Managing water resources in Arunachal Pradesh in effective manner implies ensuring

sustainable utilization of the immense water resources of the State. In terms of utilization of
water resources, it is estimated that Arunachal Pradesh has more than one-third of the
country’s proven hydropower potential. Several projects, large and small are been planned to
tap this enormous hydropower potential. Apart from the planned large power projects, State’s
Small Hydro Power Policy 2007 envisages that these eco-friendly and renewable micro/
mini/small hydro projects that are low in gestation period will be ideal for viable investment
for State’s domestic power requirement. The policy calls for formulation and notification of
an Action Plan for Small Hydro Power Generation.
In terms of utilization of water for State’s agriculture, the Agriculture Policy 2001 provides
rapid expansion of area under agriculture through the innovative use of technology, expand
irrigation facilities and build supporting infrastructure. State is keen to use its natural
resources, water, and land for overall economic development. Creation and maintenance of
necessary developmental infrastructure would necessitate strong policy interventions backed
by operational plans, importantly, including efficient management and sustainable utilization
of State’s water resources. Expansion of irrigation accessibility for increased agriculture
acreage and productivity; State’s remoteness, and lack of communication (road)
infrastructure will be the biggest barrier for such large-scale development.
1.1 Background
Himalayan ecosystems are amongst the most fragile environments on the earth and are
characterized by a high degree of remoteness, fragility, marginalization and low accessibility
(ICIMOD, 2010). Sustainability of the Himalayan ecosystem is crucial for the livelihood of
about 1.3 billion people in Asia. The perennial river system of north and north-east of India
depends upon the sustainability of glaciers and the ecosystem of the Himalayan region.
With the increasing demand of growth and development, people living in the Himalayan
states are seeking access to various developmental choices but at the same time, it is
important to structure our developmental paths which are aligned and consistent with the
sustainability of the existing ecosystem. Moreover, the state is not only climate sensitive, but
it is characterized by its geological phenomena and hazards of natural disasters like landslides
and earthquakes.
The Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has
1
Introduction
concluded that there is an unequivocal evidence of global warming of earth’s atmosphere

caused by anthropogenic emissions. The IPCC also estimates that global average temperature
could rise by 2.6 – 4.8oC by 2100 (according to the IPCC's highest emissions scenario).
Climate change variability in temperature and precipitation patterns is likely to influence the
regional mountain ecosystem. The changes can be expected to be complex and more
unpredictable. The effects of climate change on the environment and people’s livelihoods
could impact human health, agriculture, forests, water resources, species and natural habitat.
Hence, there is a compelling need for a concerted effort to understand the implications of
climate change on the Himalayan States to develop special strategies for sustaining fragile
ecosystems on which many people are dependent.
1.2 The scope of the study
In the above context, the need to define problems related to all the aspects of water resources
specific to the State arises. Also, identifying probable solutions and evaluation of alternatives
covering the impact of climate change, cost-benefit analysis, technological gaps, and policy
framework including legal and institutional linkages for optimization of water resource
utilization and conservation holds utmost importance. The present study aims to assess and
evaluate the impact of climate change on water availability of both surface and groundwater
resources at the sub-basin level to provide technological options for sustainable water
resources planning and management.
1.3 National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our times. Recent events have
emphatically demonstrated our growing vulnerability to climate change. Climate change
impacts will range from affecting agriculture – further endangering food security – to sea-
level rise and the accelerated erosion of coastal zones, increasing intensity of natural
disasters, species extinction, and the spread of vector-borne diseases. India’s National Action
Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) launched on June 30, 2008, outlines its strategy to meet
the challenge of Climate Change. NAPCC is guided by the principles of Sustainable
Development (SD) and aligns the environmental and economic objectives. It outlines a
national strategy that aims to enable the country to adapt to climate change and enhances the
ecological sustainability of India’s development path. It stresses that maintaining a high
growth rate is essential for increasing living standards of majority of people of India and
reducing their vulnerability of the impacts of climate change. Eight “National Missions”
which form the core of the National action plan are: National Solar Mission, National
2
Introduction
Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, National

Water Mission, National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Eco-system, National
Mission for a Green India, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and National
Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change. They focus primarily on promoting the
understanding of climate change, adaptation and mitigation, energy efficiency and natural
resource conservation.
1.4 National Water Mission (NWM)
The main objective of the National Water Mission (NWM) is “conservation of water,
minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within
States through integrated water resources development and management”. The five identified
goals of the Mission are: (a) comprehensive water database in public domain and assessment
of impact of climate change on water resource; (b) promotion of citizen and state action for
water conservation, augmentation, and preservation; (c) focused attention to vulnerable areas
including over-exploited areas; (d) increasing water use efficiency by 20%, and (e) promotion
of basin level integrated water resources management.
Various strategies for achieving the goals have been identified which lead to integrated
planning for sustainable development and efficient management with the active participation
of the stakeholders after identifying and evaluating the development scenario and
management practices towards better acceptability based on assessment of the impacts of
climate change on water resources based on reliable data and information.
1.5 State Specific Action Plan for Climate Change (SAPCC)
In August 2009, the Government of India directed all state governments and union territories
to prepare State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC), consistent with the strategy
outlined in the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Broadly the State level
action plans are envisioned to be an extension of the NAPCC at various levels of governance,
aligned with the eight National Missions. Building on such a need, a National Consultation
Workshop was held on 19th August 2010 in New Delhi for discussing the common
framework/approach for preparing State-level action plans on climate change. During the
workshop, it was suggested that States can take their lead from the Mission documents while
formulating mitigation/adaptation strategies under the State level strategy and Action plan
(SAPCC). It was recommended that all state governments finalize their SAPCC by 31st
March 2011. Delhi and Orissa became the first two states in the country to complete and
3
Introduction
launch their State Action Plans. Although all State governments are implementing climate-
friendly strategies (broadly aligned with the missions) as a part of their development
programmes, some states have taken specific leads in the matter.
4
About State: A water perspective
2 About State: A water perspective
The erstwhile North Eastern Frontier Agency (NEFA), became Union Territory of Arunachal
Pradesh on 20-01-1972 under the provisions of North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act
1971 (81 of 1971) and attained statehood on 20th February 1987. Arunachal Pradesh is
situated in North Eastern Part of India stretching between longitude 91°30’E to 97°30’E and
Latitude 26°30’N and 29°31’N. It spreads over an area of 83,743 Sq.km touching the
international boundaries with Bhutan (160 Km) in the west, China (1080 Km) in the north,
Myanmar (440 Km) in the south-east and the plains of Assam to the south. It borders the
states of Assam in the south and Nagaland to the east and southeast. At present, it has 18
districts with a population of 13, 83,727 of which 7, 13,902 males and 6, 69, 815 female and
a literacy rate of 65.38% as per Census of India 2011.
Figure 2-1: Base map of the state

2.1 Nature and Culture
There are over 27 major tribes and many sub-tribes inhabiting the State. Though, most
communities are ethnically similar, having descended from an original common stock. But
their geographical isolation from each other has brought amongst tribe’s certain distinctive
characteristics in language and customs. Nature has also provided the people with a deep
sense of beauty which finds delightful expression in their songs, dances, crafts, and festivals.
The climate of Arunachal Pradesh varies from hot and humid to heavy rainfall in the Shivalik
5
range. It became progressively cold as one moves northward higher altitudes. Trees of great
size, plentiful climbers, and abundance of cane and bamboo make Arunachal evergreen. The
richness of flora and fauna that occur in these forests presents a panorama of biological
diversity with over 5000 plant species, about 85 terrestrial mammals, over 500 birds and
many butterflies, insects, and reptiles. Arunachal Pradesh is also considered to be a treasure
home to orchids, known for their exquisitely beautiful blooms, with more than six hundred
species occurring in varying elevations and climatic conditions throughout the state.
2.2 Climate
The climate of the state is influenced greatly by the Himalayan mountains and large
variations in altitude across the state. At a very high elevation in the Greater Himalayas close
to the Tibetan border experience alpine and tundra climates. Middle Himalayas prevails
temperate climate and areas at the sub-Himalayan (lower Himalaya) belt generally experience
humid sub-tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The rainfall of Arunachal
Pradesh is amongst the heaviest in the country receiving more than 3500 mm in a year. The
state receives rainfall over a period of 8 to 9 months excepting the drier days in winter,
however, most of the rainfall is between May and September. Higher altitude experiences
snowfall during winter. The average annual rainfall is 1000 mm in the higher elevations and
5750 mm in the foothills to the north of Brahmaputra River. Winter months have average
temperatures in the range 15ºC to 21ºC, and the monsoon month temperatures are in the
range of 22ºC – 33ºC, and the summer months temperatures sometimes are higher well over
37ºC. The foothills experience maximum temperatures around 40ºC during summer.
2.3 Physiography
Physiography of the state has several deep valleys rising to steep mountains mostly covered
by the Eastern Himalayas. The northeastern region of India presents a unique mosaic of
landforms with great diversity reflecting a complex geotectonic setup. The major domains of
this area are the rugged hills of the high Himalaya characterized by glaciers, glacial valley,
and moraines; the low Himalayan foothills; the valley of Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The
area under different landforms in Arunachal Pradesh is categorized (table 1).
Table 2-1: The area under various landforms

Code Landforms Area (Sq. km) Area (%)
1 Snow Cover / Glacial Area 12195.94 14.56
2 Glacier 94.96 0.11
6
Code Landforms Area (Sq. km) Area (%)

3 Glacial Valley 106.25 0.13
4 Lateral Moraine 3.62 0.00
5 Terminal Moraine 2.95 0.00
6 River Terrace 120.03 0.14
7 Channel Island 182.65 0.22
8 Point Bar 8.80 0.01
9 Cannel Bar 45.99 0.06
10 Stabilized Channel Bar 9.80 0.01
11 Meander Zone 112.13 0.13
12 Interfluve 148.22 0.18
13 Intermountain Valley 93.72 0.11
14 Valley 664.18 0.80
15 Fracture Valley 0.78 0.00
16 Alluvial Plain 870.87 1.04
17 Flood Plain 406.06 0.49
18 Palaeo Channel 4.68 0.01
19 Piedmont Alluvium 2610.40 3.13
20 Piedmont Zone 45.78 0.05
21 Pediment 47.15 0.06
22 Residual Hill 5.75 0.01
23 Denudational Hill - Highly Dissected 4769.68 5.72
24 Denudational Hill - Moderately Dissected 7208.62 8.64
25 Denudational Hill - Slightly Dissected 165.60 0.20
26 Structural Hill - Highly Dissected 10584.68 12.68
27 Structural Hill - Moderately Dissected 6888.62 8.26
28 Structural Hill - Slightly Dissected 260.73 0.31
29 Structural Hill 34037.85 40.79
31 River (Dry) 23.76 0.03
32 River (Wet) 2022.75 2.42
Total 83743.00 100.00
The Hilly area covering 76.6% of the total geographical area of the state is under the category
of either structure hills or denudational hills or residuals hills followed by snow cover area
which covers 14.56% of the total geographical area of the state. This explains that
geomorphologically the state having a low potential of groundwater development and
catchment/basin of these areas have a high rate of runoff. The three basic landforms namely
denudational, depositional and structural are characterized by structural hills of the upper
catchment, the piedmont zone, and the vast Brahmaputra alluvial plain. The major river in the
state is the Brahmaputra. Other rivers are Changlang, Dibang, Kameng, Lohit, Subansiri,
Papum pare, Tawang, Tirap, and Siang.
7
Figure 2-2: Landforms of state

2.4 Demographic profile
Arunachal Pradesh is administratively divided into 16 districts, 188 circles, covering 5258
villages. According to Census 2001, Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest population density (17
per sq. km) in India. The decadal growth rate (Figure 2-1) of the state is 25.92 % (against
21.54% for the country) and the population of the state continues to grow at a much faster
rate than the national rate.
1800000 40.0
1600000 35.0
Rate of Change (in%)
1400000 30.0
1200000
Population
25.0
1000000
20.0
800000
600000 15.0
400000 10.0
200000 5.0
0 0.0
1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2021
Years
Change Population Change (%)
Figure 2-3: Population Growth
8
The figure 2.1 depicts an increase in population over years from 1961 to now and projected to
the year 2021. The change is the population in consecutive years is also plotted and shows a
decreasing rate of growth in population from 2011 to 2021.
2.5 Economic profile
Arunachal Pradesh is predominantly an agrarian economy. Most of the state is covered with
dense and rich forest. About 54.6% of the population is engaged in agriculture and allied
activities and 80% of the population living in the rural area is dependent on agriculture and
about 62 % of total working populations are engaged in agriculture. Forest-products are the
lifeline in the State and provide income and employment to many people. Food grains
cultivation includes; rice, maize, millet, wheat, pulses, sugarcane, ginger and oilseeds.
Arunachal is also ideal for horticulture and fruit orchards. Major industries of sawmills and
plywood, rice mills, fruit preservation units and handloom handicrafts contribute their share
to the economy of the state. There are many small-scale and handloom industries in
Arunachal Pradesh strengthening the economy of the state. Cane and bamboo work, weaving,
mat making are some indigenous employments in Arunachal Pradesh.
Agriculture and Horticulture
Agriculture is the main occupation for Arunachal Pradesh. Jhum/shifting cultivation and
terrace farming/wetland rice cultivation are the two major patterns that farmers employ.
About 53% of the total cultivated area is under Jhum and the rest under permanent
cultivation.
Topography and climate of Arunachal Pradesh are conducive for the cultivation of rice,
millets, wheat, maize, pulses, sugarcane and potatoes. Horticulture is an important sector in
Arunachal Pradesh having tremendous potential for rural livelihood. Due to the existence of
varied agro-climatic zone and high adaptability to hilly topography of the state; spices,
aromatic and medical plants, flowers, and mushroom are highly cultivated in Arunachal
Pradesh. Apple, mandarin, pineapple, ginger, large cardamom, besides off-season vegetables
have a big opportunity in the domestic markets. Kiwi, though grown in a small area, has good
potential to scale it up to the commercial level. Various steps were taken to diversify the
agriculture economy by encouraging the cultivation of cash crops like potatoes, and
horticulture crops like apple, oranges, guavas, and pineapples, etc.
9
Table 2-2 Area Production and yield of major crops

Area Production Yield
(Lakh ha) (MT) (kg/ha)
Crops 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17* 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17* 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17*
Rice 441.10 434.99 431.94 105.48 104.41 110.15 2391 2400 2550
Wheat 314.65 304.18 305.97 86.53 92.29 98.38 2750 3034 3216
Cereals 251.70 243.89 247.71 42.86 38.52 44.19 1703 1579 1784
Pulses 235.54 249.12 294.65 17.15 16.35 22.95 728 656 779
Food grains 1243.00 1232.18 1280.26 252.02 251.57 275.68 2028 2042 2153
Oilseeds 255.96 260.87 262.06 27.51 25.25 32.10 1075 968 1225
Sugarcane 50.66 49.27 43.89 362.33 348.45 306.72 71512 70720 69886
Cotton @ 128.19 122.92 108.45 34.80 30.01 33.09 462 415 519
Jute and
Mesta # 8.10 7.82 7.66 11.13 10.52 10.60 2473 2421 2490
*4th advance estimates
@ Production in million bales of 170 kg each
# Production in million bales 180 kg. each
2.6 Natural Resources
2.6.1 Forest Resources
Forest is the most important resource in Arunachal Pradesh with the predominantly large
tribal population living in close association with forests and highly dependent on it.
Traditional shifting cultivation also known as Jhum cultivation is practiced by the people and
has devastating effects on the ecology of the region thereby degrading the local environment.
Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalaya is among the 200 globally important Ecoregions.
The important forest types found in the state are tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen forests,
deciduous forests, pine forests, temperate forests and alpine forests. In the degraded forests,
bamboos and other grasses are of common occurrence. The total geographical coverage of
forest area is 73.13% in 2012.
2.6.2 Biodiversity
Arunachal Pradesh, by its geographical position, climate conditions and altitudinal variations,
is a biodiversity-rich region in northeast India, with large tracts of tropical wet evergreen,
subtropical, temperate and alpine forests. It possesses India’s second highest level of genetic
resources. Although occupying only 2.5% of India’s geographical area, the state occupies a
significant place in terms of floral and faunal biodiversity, being considered one of the
world’s 18 biodiversity hotspots and home to 85 species of terrestrial mammals, 760 species
of birds, 4,500 species of angiosperms and 550 species of orchids. It has been recognized by
International World Conservation Union in 1995 as one of the major centers of plant
10
diversity.
Table 2-3 Forest Types of Arunachal Pradesh

Broad Forest As per Champion &
Sl Altitudinal Range Important Species
Type Seth
1 Tropical Semi 2/B/C1/Ia, Near Alluvial Amoora wallichii, Pterospermum
Ever Green 2/B/C1b/ISI Plains acerifolium, Stereospermum
chelonoides, Altingia excelsa.
2 Tropical Ever 1/B/C1, 1/B/C2 Up to 610 meters Kayea assamica, Mesua ferrea,
Green Dysoxylum procerum, Echnocarpus
sp.
3 Tropical Wet 8/B/C1 Up to 900 meters Phoeba paniculata, Actinodaphne
Ever Green obovata, Alnus nepalansis, Phoebe
attenuata.
4 Sub-tropical 3C3/Bb, 3C/IS2 Up to 900-1900 Bombax ceiba, Lagerstroemia
broad leaved meters parviflora, Terminalia bellirica,
Sterculia villosa.
5 Sub-Tropical III/9/DS/1 1000-1800 meters Pinus Roxburghii, Pinus wallichiana
Pine and Pinus merkusii.
6 Wet Temperate IV/11/IIB/C1, 1800-2750 meters Quercus lamellosa, Quercus sp.
Forests IV/11/IIB/C2 Castanopsis indica, Acer hookeri.
7 Mixed IV/12/C1/3a, 2300-3350 meters Abies sp. Tsuga dumosa.
Coniferous IV/12/C/3b
Forests
8 Alpine V/C2, VI/ISC3, 3000-5500 meters Rhododendron, Primula, Saussaurea,
VI/16/C1, E1 Saxifraga.
9 Bamboo Brakes 1B/2S Bambusa pallida, Schizostachyum
polymorphum, Bambusa tulda,
Dendrocalamus hamiltonii
Source: Forest Statistics of Arunachal Pradesh (Up to the Year 2000-2001)
Table 2-4 Forest change and distribution
Forest Area (in Km2) District % of Forest Area Change
District
2005 2012 Area (Sq2) 2005 2012 (%)
Anjaw 4562.50 4412 6982 65.35 63.19 -2.16
Changlang 4168.02 4072.12 5069 82.23 80.33 -1.89
Dibang Valley 4181.07 4162.23 8959 46.67 46.46 -0.21
East Kameng 3596.11 3591.26 4134 86.99 86.87 -0.12
East Siang 3419.27 3419.27 4687 72.95 72.95 0.00
Kurung Kumey 5620.02 5620.02 7141 78.70 78.70 0.00
Lohit 2610.92 2565.77 4420 59.07 58.05 -1.02
Lower Dibang Valley 2847.72 2847.72 4070 69.97 69.97 0.00
Lower Subansiri 2387.30 2684.07 2994 79.74 89.65 9.91
Papum Pare 2563.85 2539.59 2875 89.18 88.33 -0.84
Tawang 861.38 861.38 2172 39.66 39.66 0.00
Tirap 1547.12 1324.94 1955 79.14 67.77 -11.36
Upper Siang 4584.59 4545.08 6188 74.09 73.45 -0.64
Upper Subansiri 5431.65 5431.65 7032 77.24 77.24 0.00
West Kameng 5584.19 5584.19 7422 75.24 75.24 0.00
West Siang 6247.72 6247.72 7643 81.74 81.74 0.00
Total 60213.44 59909.02 83743 71.90 71.54 -0.36
11
Change (in %)
0.0
100.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
90.0
Anjaw
Changlang
Dibang Valley
East Kameng
East Siang
Kurung
Kumey
Lohit
Lower Dibang
Valley
Lower
Subansiri
Papum Pare
Figure 2-4: Forest types

Tawang
Figure 2-5: Change in forest cover

Tirap
Upper Siang
Upper
Subansiri
West Kameng
2005 2012
West Siang
12
2.6.3 Glaciers
Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest concentration of glaciers in India. Glaciers are found in the
Kameng Basin (52 glaciers covering an area of 66 km2), Subansiri Basin (91 glaciers
covering an area of 146 km2) and Dibang Basin (14 glaciers covering an area of 11 km2). The
snow melting contribution in the basin is a major source of water resources in most of the
river systems. The contribution of snowmelt in the basin is higher in the upper catchments
followed by lower catchments. This rate of snowmelt is affected by local land use practices
and climate change.
2.6.4 Soil
A good understanding of soils with reference to their nature and distribution is essential to
formulate any land-based production system. The soil is a major element in the natural
environment linking climate and vegetation. Soil is known for its unique behaviour under
irrigated and non-irrigated conditions and therefore soil surveys are undertaken to plan
optimum management systems for the sustainable development of the region. Detailed soil
mapping is an important aspect in establishing management guidelines on land capability/
irrigability classification and soil suitability for agriculture under rainfed as well as irrigated
conditions. National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning (NBSS & LUP) map is
prepared on 1:250,000 scale and is incorporated with satellite data to provide vital
information for soil resource of Arunachal Pradesh.
Table 2-5 Areal statistics of different type of texture in the soil
Code Texture Area (Sq2) Area (%)

1 Coarse 4935.80 5.89
2 Medium 42091.57 50.26
3 Fine 21323.50 25.46
4 Deep 1696.35 2.03
5 Snow Cover 7497.66 8.95
6 Stony 3905.53 4.66
7 Built-up 139.42 0.17
8 Water body 1188.80 1.42
9 No data 964.37 1.15
Total 83743.00 100.00
The soil information was grouped into several texture classes and it is observed that 50.44%
of the total soil series are under medium texture followed by a fine texture with 25.55%.
Snow area covers 9% of the total geographical area of the State (table 2-5). This indicates
13
that most of the area has the potential to store the surface run-off in the region. The drainage
condition and the distribution of soil texture map shown in Figure:
Figure 2-6: Soil types

2.6.5 Mines & Minerals
Arunachal Pradesh has a vast reserve of mineral oils and gas. This state has also coal
reserves. Coal is explored from Namchik-Namphuk mines in Tirap district. Besides coal oil
and gas there is a huge reserve of dolomite, limestone, graphite, marble, lead and zinc etc. It
is also assumed that there is the reserve of iron and copper. The main mineral-rich districts
are Lohit, Tirap, Chanlang, West Kameng, Upper Subansiri, Dibangghati etc.
2.6.6 Surface water resources
Brahmaputra is one of the major rivers of Asia and 41.88 % of its basin is shared by
Arunachal Pradesh. The state has the highest average run-off of 350 BCM. About 80% of the
mean annual flow of River Brahmaputra is contributed by more than 3,000 small and big
river tributaries. Within Arunachal Pradesh, there are 19 major river catchments consisting of
14
46 major and medium type rivers. The 10 major basins are: Tawang, Kameng, Dikrong,
Subansiri, Siang, Sisiri, Dibang, Lohit, Tirap-Dehing and Tissa river basins. Numerous rivers
originating from these basins ultimately drain to Brahmaputra river. This is a boon for the
State for development of agriculture, power and industry sectors but at the same time, these
rivers have the destructive potentials unless certain preventive and protective measures are
taken up in the State. Rivers of Arunachal Pradesh could be broadly classified into three types
namely (i) Hilly reach (incised rivers), (ii) Foothill sub-montane reach (boulder rivers) and
(iii) Floodplain (alluvial rivers).
Figure 2-7: Major Catchment of Arunachal Pradesh

2.6.7 Ground water resources
Arunachal Pradesh has 2.56 BCM annual replenishable ground water resources and net
annual groundwater availability of 2.30 BCM. The groundwater potential exploited so far is
negligible. With the depletion of surface water resources in the foothill areas of Arunachal
Pradesh, especially Changlang, Lohit, Lower Dibang Valley, East Siang, Papum Pare and
East Kameng districts, the need to exploit groundwater potential for meeting the requirements
of drinking water and irrigation is increasing day by day. The CGWB had assessed an
irrigational potential about 18,000 hectares through groundwater in the State. An area of
more than 87,500 hectares has been irrigated in Arunachal Pradesh. Based on rock type it is
found that about 15.4% of the area is covered with Biotite Granite Gneiss & Biotite
15
Tourmaline Gneiss. The next predominant underlying rock type is Sillimanite Bearing Schists
and Gneisses & Migmatites covering 9.7% followed by Metavolcanics, Limestone, Dolomite,
Marble & Phyllite (6.9%). These rocks are basically Palaeo Proterozoic age and have less or
negligible importance for any groundwater development, these are basically runoff zone and
carrying less groundwater drawdown. Diverse geological formation, lithological variations,
tectonic complexity, geomorphological and hydro-meteorological dissimilarities exist in the
state and which result in various groundwater situations.
Table 2-6: Aquifer type / Geological formation and their Ground water potential in the
Arunachal Pradesh
Formation Lithology Groundwater potential
Unconsolidated Sand, clay, silt, gravel, pebble, Moderate yield, 30-50m3/hr. Drawdown
cobble, and boulder within 10-15m.
Semi consolidated Shale, siltstone, sandstone, Low yield, up to 20 m3/hr. Drawdown
interbedded with coal seams and within 25m.
limestone
Consolidated
Fissured formation Phyllites, schist, slates, quartzites Low yield 5 to 15 m3/hr.
Meta sediments Gnessic complex with acid and Yield up to 5 m3/hr
basic intrusive
The entire foothill belt running along the Himalayan front can be correlated to the “Bhabar
belt” of Ganga basin with exception of some areas of Lohit and Tirap districts. Groundwater
occurs under unconfined to semi-confined conditions. In Namsai and Mino sub-divisions, the
depth to water levels is essentially governed by topography. Sediments down to 106 meters
below ground level (bgl) are predominantly sandy and discharge of tube wells ranges up to
160 m3/hr. Open wells in Namsai and Mino sub-division tap 3 to 5 m of saturated sand and
yield up to 100 m3/day.
Table 2-7: Rock types and distribution

Code Rock Type Area (Km2) Area (%)
1 Amphibolite Mica Schist & Biotite 690.21 0.83
2 Biotite Granite 4660.49 5.58
3 Biotite Granite Gneiss & Biotite Tourmaline Gneiss 12830.95 15.38
4 Boulder Bed and Friable Sand Stone 1491.61 1.79
5 Colluvium 2610.4 3.13
6 Colluvium - Boulders, Cobbles, Pebbles, Sand & Clay 45.78 0.05
7 Compact Micaceous Sand Stone 1849.33 2.22
8 Diamictite, Phyllite, Sand Stone & Carbonaceous Shale 1244.79 1.49
9 Data Not Available 676.7 0.81
10 Ferrugenous Sandstones With Interbedded Clays,Grit, 1149.42 1.38
Conglomerate, Sandstone & Shale
16
Code Rock Type Area (Km2) Area (%)

11 Garnet-Muscovite-Biotite Schist, Quartzite & Phyllite 3728.04 4.47
12 Granodiorite 2578.78 3.09
13 Hornblende Gneiss & Biotite 294.56 0.35
14 Limestone, Shale, Metavolcanics, Tuffs, Siltstone 585.08 0.70
15 Mafic Volcanics 120.21 0.14
16 Metavolcanics, Limestone, Shale & Coal Beds 856.73 1.03
17 Metavolcanics, Limestone, Dolomite, Marble & Phyllite 5813.7 6.97
18 Metavolcanics, Serpentinite, Limestone, Shale & Coal Beds 1995.38 2.39
19 Newer Alluvium (River Alluvium, Sand, Silt & Clay) 1432.72 1.72
20 Older Alluvium (River Alluvium, Sand, Silt & Clay) 650.22 0.78
21 Phyllite, Quartzite, Dolomite, Mica Schist & Shale 5303.67 6.36
22 Sandstone with Shales 1284.47 1.54
23 Sandstone, Pebbles, Boulder Conglomerate & Clay 1644.28 1.97
24 Schists, Sandstone, Orbitoline Limestone, Shale, Ultrabasic 1629.18 1.95
Rocks & Coalbeds
25 Serpentinite 168.05 0.20
26 Shales Interbedded with Sandstones 2566.28 3.08
27 Sillimanite Bearing Schists and Gneisses & Migmatites 8124.56 9.74
28 Undifferentiated 3390.11 4.06
29 Unsorted Glacial Sediments 6.56 0.01
30 Volcanogenic Sediments 553.76 0.66
31 Glacier 11720.87 13.99
32 Underlying Geology (Water bodies) 2046.11 2.45
Total 83743 100.00
The thematic maps of geology and landforms have been generated on 1: 50,000 scale using satellite
data and other collateral information and put as a standardized database. The geology and
geomorphology map are integrated together to prepare a hydrogeological map which is superimposed
by geological structures to identify the different level of groundwater potential in the state. With the
help of the information drawn from a survey of India toposheet and by visual interpretation of satellite
imagery different thematic maps such as geomorphology and lineaments, drainage and land use/land
cover are prepared. These thematic maps have been superimposed and finally, a groundwater potential
zone map is delineated on a survey of India toposheet.
Table 2-8 Areal distribution of ground water potential zone

Code Ground Water Potential Area (Km2) Area (%)
1 Very Good 3091.02 3.70
2 Good 3702.91 4.44
3 Moderate 625.95 0.75
4 Poor 4181.37 5.01
5 Very Poor 71845.43 86.10
Total 83446.68 100.00
17
The previous resource information like geology, geomorphology and soil clearly indicate that the
potential for groundwater irrigation in the state is limited. Only 3.7% of the total geographical area of
the state identified for very good potential sites under groundwater resources (table 2.11). Sustained
development and efficient management of groundwater resource are essential to meet acute water
scarcity especially drinking water problem in different parts of the state.
Figure 2-8: Geological age Structure
18
Figure 2-9: Geological structure
Figure 2-10: Ground Water Potential
19
2.7 Land use Pattern
The land use in Arunachal Pradesh is largely influenced by customary laws and tradition,
wherein a clan or an extended family owns vast territories which includes forest areas, hills
and slopes etc. The community extends user rights to the entire community, however,
ownership rights are vested and tightly controlled. The land use and land cover of Arunachal
Pradesh include forest areas, areas under agriculture and human settlements, snow-covered
areas, lakes and water bodies, large sand bodies along the wide river channels, mountain
slopes under shifting/jhum cultivation, and areas affected by old and active landslides.
A change assessment of different land use classes has been made from the year 2005 to the
year 2012. There has been an increase of more than 50% in settled cultivation which accounts
for total 2.71% increase at the state level. A decrease of 86.4% in Current shifting cultivation
shows controlled practices of agriculture. Abandoned shifting cultivation also reflects more
than 4.5 times decrease due to land reclamations. This indicates that the future water demand
in the agriculture sector has increased. The dense forest shows a decrease of 8% of the total
geographical area and has been converted into open forest, which seems to be a major
challenge in terms of water resources for the state. The degraded and scrub forest has also
decreased by 100%. There is a slight decrease in glacier and snow cover that may influence
the water resources of the state.
Table 2-9: Land Use / Land Cover

2005 2012 Change
Code Land use / land cover Class State
Area Area Area Area Change
level level
(Km2) (in %) (Km2) (in %) 2
(Km )
(in %) (in %)
1 Settled cultivation 1783.93 2.13 3732.17 4.46 1948.24 52.20 2.33
Current shifting
2 919.54 1.10 493.32 0.59 -426.22 -86.40 -0.51
cultivation
Abandoned Shifting
3 1078.87 1.29 234.99 0.28 -843.88 -359.11 -1.01
cultivation
4 Plantation/Orchards 49.71 0.06 77.40 0.09 27.69 35.78 0.03
Evergreen /Semi
5 evergreen forest 44529.16 53.17 39367.51 47.01 -5161.65 -13.11 -6.16
(Dense)
Evergreen /Semi
6 evergreen forest 12771.88 15.25 18236.81 21.78 5464.93 29.97 6.53
(Open)
7 Alpine grass 4473.90 5.34 5076.29 6.06 602.40 11.87 0.72
8 Degraded/Scrub forest 2870.81 3.43 2253.42 2.69 -617.39 -27.40 -0.74
9 Forest Plantation 41.59 0.05 51.29 0.06 9.71 18.93 0.01
Grass land/Grazing
10 645.54 0.77 817.26 0.98 171.73 21.01 0.21
land
20
2005 2012 Change

Code Land use / land cover Class State
Area Area Area Area Change
level level
(Km2) (in %) (Km2) (in %) 2
(Km )
(in %) (in %)
11 Land with scrub 1263.05 1.51 1319.60 1.58 56.55 4.29 0.07
12 Land without scrub 1238.77 1.48 898.25 1.07 -340.53 -37.91 -0.41
13 Land slide/Open grass 743.57 0.89 558.23 0.67 -185.34 -33.20 -0.22
Barren rocky/Stony
14 236.03 0.28 195.06 0.23 -40.97 -21.01 -0.05
waste/Sheet rock area
15 Town 58.05 0.07 98.56 0.12 40.51 41.10 0.05
16 Village 251.29 0.30 441.50 0.53 190.21 43.08 0.23
17 Lake/Reservoir/tank 44.14 0.05 35.94 0.04 -8.20 -22.82 -0.01
River/Stream/Canal
18 1134.22 1.35 1054.33 1.26 -79.89 -7.58 -0.10
(Wet)
19 River sand (Dry) 703.62 0.84 740.01 0.88 36.39 4.92 0.04
Snow covered/Glacial
20 8905.33 10.63 8061.05 9.63 -844.28 -10.47 -1.01
area
Total 83743.0 100 83743.0 100
Figure 2-11: Land Use / Land Cover (2005)
21
Figure 2-12: Land Use / Land Cover (2005)
22
Water Challenges and Opportunities
3 Water Challenges and Opportunities
3.1 Physical challenges
Physical challenges can be caused by rough topography or other existing physical barriers to
manage and exploit the water resources. Following listed are the major physical water
resources challenges in the state:
3.1.1 Flood inundation and soil erosion
Flood-related problems mostly occur in foothill sub-montane reach and floodplains.

Population concentration of the State is also on these reaches. In the theoretical perspective,
there are no flood inundation problems in hilly and foothill sub-montane reaches.
Nevertheless, the problem persists in these reaches not because of flood inundation but
because of erosion that is equally as destructive as floods. Because of a steep slope in
mountainous areas combined with human interference in the catchments area, large-scale soil
erosion and bank erosion occur in agricultural field and dwelling areas. Massive bank erosion
takes place in every monsoon destroying crops, livestock, infrastructure (irrigation, roads and
bridges, other public assets) and flood problem of Assam could be attributed to soil erosion
within Arunachal Pradesh.
3.1.2 Siltation
Foothill areas of Arunachal Pradesh are mostly the floodplains of major rivers originating
from mountainous regions. The hilly rivers flowing down with high energy dissipates its
energy in the foothill region. After dissipation of its energy, the heavy silt carried by the
rivers are deposited on its bed causing braiding and spreading overland. This is a common
problem at Seijosa in East Kameng, Likhabali in West Siang, Pasighat in East Siang, Roing
in Lower Dibang Valley, Tezu & Namsai in Lohit District, Diyun in Changlang District etc.
The heavy silt-laden rivers coming down from steep slopes dissipate its energy at the
floodplains (mostly foothill area of the State) and deposit silt on its beds due to which river
water and excess silt spread overland causing braiding of rivers and submergence of
agricultural land, towns and other public assets. In fact, this has interstate ramification and
govt. of Assam with the govt. of India should also focus its attention on the catchment
treatment mostly within Arunachal Pradesh.
23
3.1.3 Land slide
Landslide is a common phenomenon in Arunachal Pradesh. Every year reports have been
received from the districts regarding road blockages, mudslides in dwelling area, damages to
irrigation structures and other public assets
Due to high seismicity and geological fragility of Himalayan geology and high annual
rainfall, the state is highly vulnerable to water-related disasters.
3.2 Technical challenges
Technical challenges refer to development and infrastructure related gaps. The excessive flow
of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers and their tributaries during the annual monsoon causes
floods, erosion, and drainage problems that continue to afflict the Northeast. In addition, the
adverse physiography of the region, excessive sedimentation, frequent earthquakes,
landslides, deforestation and watershed degradation, and encroachment of the riverine areas;
all pose unusual challenges to the development of water infrastructure in the region. The
problems of the Barak valley, with its high elevation, large areas subject to inundation and
drainage congestion, and the prolonged high-water regime, are particularly complex.
3.2.1 Surface water resources operational challenges
 The undulating topography does not offer much scope for taking up major and
medium irrigation projects. The irrigable command areas are limited to small patches
of about 10 to 15 hectares in the river valleys and plateaus, because they do not meet
the eligibility criteria under the AIBP programme, GoI.
 High rainfall and landslide related damages on the completed irrigation projects
render the completed projects defunct. Due to this problem many completed projects,
are not yielding benefits as additional maintenance works are required to make these
projects operational.
 WRD has been facing financial constraints for implementation of schemes. State
government finds it difficult to contribute even its minor share of 10% which in effect
truncates the central government’s share. The release of funds at the far end of the
year further constrains the department to implement schemes.
 Existing schemes being taken up under irrigation sector are essentially micro in nature
and they are not enough to cater the actual demand. They only assist in diverting
water from seasonal streams/rivers to the fields. To address the demand for need-
24
based and perennial irrigation, medium size irrigation projects must be taken up in all
the predominant food grain producing areas of the State. This will entail heavy
investment for which special assistance is required.
 At present, a proper database management system which facilitates decision making is
lacking in the department. This, therefore, leads to inefficiencies in project planning
and execution.
 Average per capita supply of water in the cities is 119 lpcd, higher than the desired
supply of 150 lpcd.
3.2.2 Groundwater challenges
 The overall development of groundwater in the state is 0.04% of the total available
resource which is quite low. Sustainable groundwater development requires scientific
management in the fields of resource allocation, estimation, development,
conservation and protection.
 It is understood that from the field observations, that the barriers in groundwater
development are difficult terrain condition, impenetrable forest, lack of adequate
surface communication, energy shortage, land holding size (local factors), and poor
coordination between various agencies.
 Coordination of activities is hindered by several factors, including lack of
communication between different departments; institutional instability; weak
interstate coordination; lack of priority given to water conservation issues; and
absence of demonstrated successful endeavours.
 There is no regional consensus about how to confront various water sector issues in a
systematic and balanced manner. Stakeholders have diverse proposals and views,
some of them are contradictory. Convergence of views requires transparent and
mutual dialogue amongst the stakeholders leading to the collective construction of a
future scenario for the development of the water sector in the region and the
guidelines to achieve it.
Thus, there is scope in the North-eastern region to promote an extensive regional dialogue
and participatory strategic planning process to produce a common agenda for water resource
development within an overall strategy for sustainable development.
25
3.2.3 Infrastructure related challenges
Creation and maintenance of necessary developmental infrastructure would necessitate strong

policy interventions backed by operational plans, importantly, including efficient
management and sustainable utilization of State’s water resources. Expansion of irrigation
accessibility for increased agriculture acreage and productivity, State’s remoteness and lack
of communication (road) infrastructure will be the biggest barrier for such large-scale
development. There exists immense scope to boost agriculture production by increasing area
under irrigation coverage.
 Though the state has abundant rainfall and perennial rivers, it also faces constraints
particularly in terms of high cost of construction and maintenance of irrigation
infrastructure. This is especially from the point of view of difficult hilly terrain,
inaccessible villages, difficulty in movement of rigs and other equipments.
 Importantly recurring flash floods that destroy irrigation infrastructure. However, the
terrain offers considerable scope for development of gravity water supply schemes,
adoption of rainwater harvesting and other traditional water harvesting methods in
this region.
 Lack of infrastructure and modules for data collection related to climatic and
hydrological variables is another major concern for the State.
 State has the lowest road development index in the country with a road density of
25.16 km per 100 sq. km (national average is 73 km per 100 sq km). The National
highways account for about 1992 km, and major district roads are about 12169 km.
3.2.4 Energy
The state has not established State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) who would
frame Power Policy wherein mandatory purchase of power from renewable energy could be
made. Due to lack of such a regulatory body, there is no proper policy to diffuse the use of
renewable energy in the state.
The current demand for power is 170 MW as against the generation/supply capacity of 115
MW. The transmission losses are also high said to be around 50%. The state lacks grid of its
own and there are high voltage/extra high voltage transmission lines.
3.2.5 Silt and WQ collection network status
According to an investigation carried out by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and
26
Central Water Commission (CWC) Arunachal Pradesh has zero number of sewage treatment
plants since the major rivers of the State are free from pollution and the groundwater is of
excellent quality with all the parameters within permissible limits (CPCB, 2015).
3.2.6 Frequency of measurement
 The G&D sites measure parameters at hourly, 8 hourly daily bases.

 A quantitative estimate of domestic sewage/ industrial effluents and treatment. This
data is not yet available.
 The second level workshop should emphasize on obtaining data from different
industries and their effluents. Similarly, sewage treatment plant capacity data must be
obtained.
3.3 Financial challenges
 While traditionally, investments in the sector have been financed by the governments,
as in other core infrastructure sectors, the state can no longer finance all such
development activities on its own. The lack of capital expenditure in this sector has
resulted in low coverage and poor quality of service.
 National and international experience suggests that to ensure continued financial
sustainability and quality of supply and service to farmers, adequate cost recovery
from delivery of service is necessary. In case, the cost of providing service is not
passed on to the consumers of water (in this case farmers), the burden on the
department and subsequently on the governments continues to increase and such a
situation is not sustainable in the long run.
 Non-recovery or under-recovery of costs translate into lower investments leading to
higher losses and deteriorating service over a period. This also impedes the
development of the private capital market, the other alternative of raising funds in the
sector. Further, provision of free water in the form of an input subsidy for agriculture
makes it difficult to track efficiency across sectors and leaves little incentive for
efficiency inducement.
 This form of a subsidy may also encourage overuse of the resource - this degrades the
environment and promotes the inefficient on-farm use of water. This may also lead to
long-term effects in the agriculture sector. Finally, the central government need to
provide additional financial support for infrastructure creation in the water sector.
27
3.4 Climate change
Himalayan mountain system stretching from north-eastern Afghanistan through Kashmir to

Nepal, Darjeeling-Sikkim-Bhutan Himalaya to Assam Himalaya and at the eastern margin
Mizo hills of part of Eastern Himalaya.
 Himalayas are known as the water towers of Asia and provides water to three major
basins of Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers. These rivers are lifestyle and culture
of the basins and economic and cultural value is based on the Himalayan mountain
system.
 ICIMOD stated that the Himalayas is one of the ecologically fragile ecosystems,
economically underdeveloped and densely populated mountain ecosystems.
 According to a 4 × 4 assessment of MOEF, the projected climate change parameters
in the 2030s with respect to 1970s there will be a rise in temperature and precipitation.
Under 4 X 4 assessment, Himalaya is one of the regions and water is one of the
sectors.
 The capacity of the Himalayan ecosystem to adapt to climate change is inadequate,
therefore; it is unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change and is
susceptible to the impacts and consequences of climate change (IPCC, 2012).
 IPCC, 2012 report express that flood and drought will be increased by 2030.
 It was also stated that the intensity and numbers of rainy days will be erratic. This
affects the agriculture and domestic water demand of the local communities and alters
the livelihood of the society.
 With large variations in rainfall amounts, the risk of occurrence of extreme rainfall
events (droughts and floods) tends to increase and hence, on a whole the climate
change affects the soil moisture, groundwater recharge, groundwater levels and
flood/drought frequency (Mall et al., 2006).
 Climate change has the potential to impact societies through changing the regional
water availability in turn affecting the irrigated agriculture, energy use to flood
control, municipal and industrial water supply, environmental flows and much more.
 Therefore, an increasing number of researchers are attempting to assess the future
impact of climate change in specific regions or certain river basins.
The challenges being faced by water resource managers for any given location are a unique
combination of mainly physical, cultural, engineering financial factors. The key characteristic
28
of the freshwater resources is their uneven distribution and variability with respect to time
and space basically, challenges to be met out by the water managers are of three types:
shortage, surplus, and quality. Effective mitigation measures are needed to cope up with
climate change along with an adaptive strategy (IPCC, 2012).
 Innovations in institutional arrangements and management structures are a necessary

precondition for tackling the problems of management of the supply of good quality
and adequate quantity of water for its citizens.
 Waste and inadequate management of water are the main culprits behind growing
problems, particularly in poverty-ridden regions.
 Agriculture is the predominant consumer of water. For the past few decades, efforts
have been made to increase irrigation in the country; this has resulted in
overexploitation of our water resources.
 The use of poor quality and quantity of water for irrigation especially in water-
stressed zones not only increases the risk to public health but also have a visible
impact on per capita water availability in rural and urban areas.
 Over extraction and inadequate recharge is quite a common problem.
Socio-economic conditions, governance and gender drivers are determining factors leading to
vulnerability. Many mountain dependent communities of Eastern and Western Himalayas are
highly vulnerable to water risks due to development pressures, population increase, and
further uncertainties associated with climate change. Bio-physical conditions, isolation and
socio-economic marginalization pose constraints to the adaptive capacities of the
communities and limit their ability to plan.
At the same time, people do adapt to changes in social-ecological conditions with varying
capacities with several factors interacting across individual, household, community and
higher jurisdictional levels. Of course, poor people have tended to suffer the greatest health
burden from inadequate and poor-quality water supplies and resultant poor health
(WHO,2015) have been unable to escape from the cycle of poverty and waterborne diseases.
The climate of the state is influenced greatly by the Himalayan mountains and large
variations in altitude across the state. The critical issues that are spread across the sectors and
domains include: climate change vulnerability assessment studies across sectors,
strengthening of database and infrastructure for climate-related data collection and analysis,
Capacity building and training, IPR and traditional knowledge protection, documenting
29
traditional practices, local knowledge and folk traditions, gender-sensitive adaptation options
like effective strategies for ensuring water supply and quality and reducing the burden on
women caused by water collection, gender-specific use of health facilities, women's access to
new technologies, extension services and credit facilities etc.
Priority areas for research should include: documenting biodiversity status, traditional and
folk knowledge, long-term monitoring for understanding state specific climate change
aspects, research in the identification of alternative means of livelihood and low and
alternative energy options, preparing communication strategies. About 59 % of GHG
emissions come from the energy category. Agriculture sector contributes 75 % of CH4 and 39
% of NO2 emission in the state.
3.4.1 Impact on Water resources
Flood is a recurring phenomenon in the State due to high precipitation. The magnitude of
floods and river bank erosion problems are increasing every year in the State. Analysis for
entire Brahmaputra basin reveals an increase in the annual precipitation of 2.3 % for the
middle of the century (2030s) as compared to baseline. However, for the Brahmaputra basin
lying within Arunachal Pradesh, analysis projects a decrease in annual precipitation of about
5% to 15% by mid-century. The change in water availability show spatial variation from
marginal reduction (5%) to no change across the state towards 2030s. The green water flow
(evapotranspiration) shows increase but the magnitude is marginal under mid-century as
compared to baseline. The situation of green water storage (soil water) shows no change from
the baseline under mid-century scenario. These projections are derived from SWAT
distributed hydrologic modelling.
3.4.2 Impact on Forest
Under the impact of climate change on forest it was shown that significant proportion of the
forests in Arunachal Pradesh is vulnerable to climate change risks. There are no scientific
studies to recommend specific vulnerability reduction measures suitable for different
vulnerable forest types and regions.
The forests in Arunachal Pradesh are subjected to human interventions in many districts
leading to loss of biodiversity, even though it is lower compared to the other states of North-
east India. There is a need for conducting preliminary studies to identify locations for
implementing the vulnerability reduction measures. The exact area for implementing the
30
vulnerability reduction interventions is not readily available but a preliminary estimate of the
investment required is provided.
Apart from projected vulnerability due to climate change, the forests in Arunachal Pradesh
also face several threats and biotic pressures in the form of shifting cultivation, grazing, forest
fires, encroachment, commercial plantations, human-wildlife conflicts and illegal extraction
of forest products along interstate borders with Assam and Nagaland.
Forest sector provides a large opportunity for mitigation of climate change, through reducing
CO2 emissions by reducing deforestation and forest degradation as well as increasing carbon
sinks in the existing forests and creating new sinks in degraded lands through afforestation.
Carbon sequestration of forests of Arunachal Pradesh is very significant in India.
3.4.3 Impact on Agriculture and Horticulture
Heavy precipitation leads to waterlogging, salinity and oxygen depletion in agricultural land.
Acute shortage of fodder for livestock and damage grazing lands during a flood or due to a
landslide; Prolonged flooding damage crop yields and increased runoff that affect the
watershed management. Jhum and shifting cultivation areas are becoming more vulnerable
during such situation and lead increase runoff, flood and landslide. Jhum is a local and
traditional practice and cannot be banned due to the individual periodical occurrence or
community rights of ownership over the forest land and non-availability of other livelihood
options. This promotes removal of the vegetation coverage for Jhum cycle. Rehabilitation of
shifting cultivation areas and improvements in current practice need major thrust in this
region.
There lacks a constant monitoring of climate change signals/climate variability and creating
meteorological database/forecasting for decision support system. There is no exclusive R&D
on shifting cultivation in the state, its impact on climate change, documentation on the loss of
flora and fauna etc.
3.4.4 Disaster
The State of Arunachal Pradesh is prone to a variety of natural disasters such as cloudbursts,
landslides, flash floods and forest fires. The state is prone to earthquakes and is in the seismic
zone V. The changing climatic conditions may hamper lives and property, cause disruption of
economic activity and damage to the environment and degrade the continuity and
sustainability of development of the State.
31
Figure 3-1: Impact of Climate Change reported by MoEF & CC
32
3.5 Water opportunities
3.5.1 Irrigation created and utilised
The importance of irrigation in the growth of agricultural production hardly needs any
emphasis. All around the world irrigation projects have benefited agriculture in numerous
ways. Irrigation directly benefits by assuring food security through increased production.
Indirect benefits include improvement in the socio-economic welfare of local people and
controlling deforestation (caused by expansion of NSA) by increasing output-land ratio. At a
policy-making level, the expansion of irrigation infrastructure can play a very important role
towards the goal of achieving higher agricultural productivity and thus, food security. In
brief, irrigation can contribute to the development of the state in the following ways:
 Boosting agriculture productivity and ensuring food security: Empirical studies

and field survey show that irrigation has a potential to increases crop yields (2-3
times) owing to the increase in availability and reliability with respect to water
supply, thereby, directly addressing the issue of food deficit.
 Increasing cropping intensity and crop diversification: Irrigation facilitates
availability and better control of water in deficient periods thereby facilitating double
cropping. Moreover, irrigation facilitates the use of High Yield Variety (HYV) seeds
as these seeds need assured irrigation and more water than normal seeds. Studies also
show irrigation also enables crop diversification towards horticulture and commercial
crops by reducing the risk in production with respect to water availability.
 Employment and Rural Livelihood: Irrigation leads to improvement in the welfare
and facilitates employment opportunities at the farm level. By providing stability in
production, irrigation also ensures a steady stream of income to the farmers.
 Deforestation due to Jhum: The high productivity of agriculture induced by
irrigation can reduce the pressure on land and thereby reduce deforestation caused due
to the expansion of agriculture land. Moreover, high productivity on irrigated land can
induce Jhum cultivators to adopt permanent cultivation, hence, slowing the pace of
deforestation due to Jhum.
 Groundwater Irrigation potential: The CGWB had assessed an irrigational
potential about 18,000 hectares through groundwater in the State. An area of more
than 87,500 hectares has been irrigated in Arunachal Pradesh.
 Surface water irrigation potential: Minor Irrigation Census of the State reveals that
33
about 0.12 million-hectare (about 66.67% of available potential) area is irrigated.

Fresh Potential Assessment is being done under GIS environment and ultimate
potential is expected to increase to around 0.85 million hectares.
3.5.2 Groundwater opportunities
Strategies for sustainable development of groundwater in the state:
 Co-operative ownership and incentives for management of resource

 Zonation of the state to implement the strategies. The basis of zonation should be
similar hydrogeological and hydro-meteorological features.
 The uninterrupted power supply is required to harness the potential created in an
optimal manner. Alternate energy sources should be explored.
 Groundwater development schemes should be aligned with the canal irrigation
schemes.
 In hilly areas where surface runoff is high, the rainwater should be harvested to
provide continuous drinking water at low cost.
 Political will, better infrastructure, trained manpower and incentive to the private
investors.
3.5.3 Water Resource Management
Agriculture is the primary driver of the Arunachal’s economy with around 70% of the state’s
population being dependent on agriculture and allied activities. According to Agriculture
Census 2000-01, the total Net Sown Area (NSA) was reported as 2, 00,210 hectares, out of
which, nearly 42% was under shifting cultivation (Jhum).
Out of the total net sown area, cereals (rice, wheat, maize and millets) hold a predominant
share. State agriculture is subsistence in nature and modernization of farm practices has
mostly eluded the state as is evident by poor yield rates, low consumption of fertilizers and
wide scale practised mono cropping. (Moreover, key infrastructure facilities like irrigation,
the supply of input, marketing, institutional credit and extension services are inadequate)
The irrigation potential created is brought underutilization through Command Area

Development Programme. Under this programme, construction of on-farm-development
(OFD) components like field channel, field drain, reclamation of water-logged areas within
the command and correction of system deficiency are taken care of as on farm activities of
the programme.
34
It also covers regulatory water distribution activity called WARABANDI, the formation of
registered water user association (WUA), training to the officers and farmers as soft activities
of the programme. The programme aims at establishing a close partnership between the
farmers (water users) and the implementing Govt. Department with the ultimate objective of
transferring the responsibility of irrigation management system to the farmers.
Out of 1.20 lakh, hectare net irrigation potential created, about 0.48 lakh hectare only has
been brought under the utilization. The utilized area works out to be 40% only leaving 60%
potential created unutilized. With the help of Govt. of India, CSS Command Area
Development programmes are under implementation in a phased manner to narrow down the
existing gap of 60%. The agriculture in the state is predominantly dependent on rains with
less than 23% (44,478 hectares) of the net sown was under irrigation as per the Minor
Irrigation Census 2000-2001.
Table 3-1 Net Sown Area (NSA) and Net Irrigated Area (NIA) (in ha)
Sl District NSA NIA

1 Anjaw 8080 555
2 Changlang 27117 3487
3 Dibang Valley 576 0
4 East Kameng 10653 1563
5 East Siang 26555 11904
6 Kurung Kumey 19042 3710
7 Lohit 11083 688
8 Lower Dibang Valley 14015 3529
9 Lower Subansiri 16543 6461
10 Pampum Pare 13053 4783
11 Tawang 4495 366
12 Tirap 13342 228
13 Upper Siang 3277 1562
14 Upper Subansiri 8409 1081
15 West Kameng 4616 106
16 West Siang 19354 4455
Total 200210 44478
As of now, the total surface water used for irrigation is approximately 4000 MCM in the
state. As already explained, the state has very low groundwater potential, it is only surface
water which is primarily used for irrigation. The total surface water supplied for irrigation
purposes at the district level is a follow:
35
Table 3-2 Total surface water supplied (in MCM) for irrigation purposes
Sl District Surface Irrigation Groundwater Total

1 Anjaw 88.69 - 88.69
2 Changlang 205.89 0.26 206.15
3 Dibang Valley 99.45 - 99.45
4 East Kameng 136.97 0.15 137.12
5 East Siang 659.00 0.71 659.71
6 Kurung Kumey 694.00 - 694.00
7 Lohit 303.66 0.05 303.71
8 Lower Dibang Valley 51.70 0.34 52.04
9 Lower Subansiri 308.00 0.05 308.05
10 Papum Pare 373.00 0.58 373.58
11 Tawang 71.41 - 71.41
12 Tirap 236.40 0.03 236.43
13 Upper Siang 187.90 - 187.90
14 Upper Subansiri 170.52 - 170.52
15 West Kameng 96.18 - 96.18
16 West Siang 310.19 - 310.19
Total 3992.95 2.15 3995.10
Canals: In Arunachal Pradesh, despite heavy annual rainfall the availability of surface water
is insufficient in the higher hills and mountain areas. This further deteriorates in the drier
spells. Storage facility for excess water is negligible. Canal irrigation is developed in a very
limited area. The area under canal irrigation is shown in Table…
Table 3-3 Area under canal irrigation
Sl District Area (Ha)

1 Anjaw
2 Changlang 239
3 Dibang Valley 160
4 East Kameng 372
5 East Siang (Including Upper Siang) 1013
6 Kurung Kumey -
7 Lohit (Including Ajnaw) 580
8 Lower Dibang Valley -
9 Lower Subansiri 188
10 Pampum Pare 190
11 Tawang 325
12 Tirap 100
13 Upper Siang
14 Upper Subansiri 152
15 West Kameng 135
16 West Siang 450
Total 3904
36
Table 3-4 Summary of Information collected though state and central document
Heads Sector Scenario Cause Policy
Poorly developed Rough terrain, financial Policy should target
and unexplored and infrastructure investing more on
groundwater developments and infrastructure development
resources support to address water use
efficiency issues
Lack of knowledge and Central/ state level Skill
Poor water exposure to available development schemes
conservation technology for water convergence with the water
practices conservation and better sector related
precision irrigation policies/schemes.
methods.
Ground Water
Lack of The sites where ground The basic objective of
conjunctive use of water can be exploited ground water scheme is not
Ground-Surface do not seem to be to benefit one farmer. The
water conducive for schemes should be modified
community farming, to benefit group of farmers
since large tracts of who can collectively
lands are owned by maintain and manage the
individual farmers, thus system
most of the ground water
schemes have benefited
only individual farmers
Decline in base Inadequate Water Water conservation;
flow in non- conservation Artificial Recharge;
Supply/ Surface Water
monsoon Afforestation
Source side Flow of large Inadequate reservoir Funding towards Medium
runoff into sea storage Irrigation structure
Low storage Siltation, Erosions and A proper financial and
capacity and flood damage are major maintenance support should
Tanks &
defunct due to cause be provided for
Wetlands
poor maintenance rejuvenations of tanks and
wetlands.
Drying Human factors and Separate schemes for springs
Springs
Climate change rejuvenation are required
Underutilization Poor drainage systems Promotions in sewage
of Waste water and less established treatment plants
Waste Water water sewage treatment establishment and enhancing
plants sewage network in urban
local bodies.
High rainfall Heavy precipitations Plans for investing in robust
causing floods, during monsoons and and periodical measurement
landslides and steep slopes due to of climatic variables and
erosion mountainous topography flow in major streams. A
detailed policy and schemes
Precipitation
should be launched for all
major rivers for flood
control measures and
providing water
conservation for dry periods.
Retreating Changing climatic A detailed research required
glaciers and high conditions. for data collection/
Glaciers
melting. monitoring of extent and
loss of glaciers.
Less-availability Stress / Scarcity at More plans for site
Drinking
Demand side of safe Drinking source identification for planting
Water
Water more water extraction units
37

Large consumer; Inadequate storage; Additional surface water
Poor Water Use Seasonal shortages, poor storage; Revival of
Farm Sector Efficiency maintenance of irrigation traditional water bodies
structures due to lack of
fund
No data related to Poor technology; Poor High WUE; Water Audits;
water recycling Recycling
Industry and consumption or Location in water scarce
infrastructure demand in small/ areas;
large scale
industries
Lack of Lack of policies Policies must target
monitoring pertaining to water demands/consumptions in
Establishments
systems of water requirements at different establishments and
and
consumption and institutional level. secure water allocation
institutions
demand. guideline sin annual
budgeting
Forest Shifting cultivation, There should be strict
degradation, Human invasion, protected land policies, also
conversion of ensuring natural flow in
Forest and
dense into open streams crossing these forest
wildlife
forests, loss or lands, to maintain diversity.
migration of Also promoting afforestation
species. and plantation
Pollution / Geo-genic & No STP as of now in state.
Contamination: anthropogenic; Should be invested more in
Ground and
Inadequacy- water treatment plants, and
Surface Water
measurement & more water quality
regulation measurement stations for
Deteriorating Geo-genic & enforcing strict rules on
Water Quality- anthropogenic contaminating points.
Physical, contamination; Poor Also, water infrastructure
Chemical and regulation should be developed to a
Biological standard, for combating any
Drinking
Contamination: Poor Water supply leakages, and maintenance
Water
Sewage infrastructure and checks.
maintenance;
Inadequate and
ineffective treatment
facility
Deteriorating Irrational application of Use in Agriculture/ Industry
Quality
Water Quality; Fertilizers, Pesticides; Infrastructure for robust
Salinity poor farm management drainage systems for
practices avoiding any water quality
deterioration during flow.
High quality crop varieties
Farm Sector
and fertilizers are to be
invested in. More research
should be promoted to
increase water use efficiency
and crop productivity.
Contamination of Poor monitoring, There should be policies to

Industrial regulation and categorize and conduct
effluents SW and enforcement recycling of possible
Industry
GW industrial effluents or
leftovers. Also, dumping of
different type of effluents
38

should be regularized, their
outlets to be marked and
properly managed. The
norms and regulations
should be enforced.
Glaciers, Springs- Climate Change and Research & Inventory
Melting/ Drying. GHG emission
Low Precipitation Low precipitation causes Soil and moisture
soil moisture depletions conservation techniques;
and may also cause low Conjunctive use of surface
crop production. and groundwater and
Less rain alter forests Integrated Watershed
covers and grazing lands Planning for agriculture
converting into scrub productivity.
lands Inadequate Forest restoration and agro-
precipitation causes forestry for ecological.
Climate
Source droughts and Alter Drought proofing
Change
environmental flow and techniques-Rainwater
lead to drying of water harvesting, Percolation
bodies also lead poor ponds, Farm ponds and de
water quality. silting of tanks can help in
combating drought
situations.
High Precipitation Causes silt load, flood A detailed policy and
and land slide that schemes should be launched
directly defunct the for all major rivers for flood
water resource control measures and de-
infrastructure. siltation.
No control on State Subject; GOI: only State Water Budgeting;
consumption advisory role; Rigorous awareness
Water
exceeding No Single Agency for campaign led by centre with
Governance
availability coordination full active support from
State
There is lack of The infrastructure More monitoring stations
Ground water development in should be established, and
monitoring groundwater sector is regular measurements and
stations in valleys, very poor and terrain analysis of the observations
Ground Water
while only few condition poses a should be made. This may
lies in lower challenge in new also require different
plains of the state. developments. funding for infrastructure
development.
Poor monitoring Measurement is almost Measurement meters
of resource nil required for observing
Institutional
Measurement/ availability Except Reservoir, Rivers domestic and industrial
Assessment (supply) and & Ground Water requirement /consumptions.
consumption resources
(demand)
Dams and CAD - Poor maintenance; Need for effective
are old; Poor management etc. organizational structures and
Inefficient and allocate fund for
Infrastructure
Inadequate maintenance of old
reservoir storage structures.
capacity
Wide gap in IPC Leakages and Seepage; Incentivization
& IPU Method (Flood) of
Benefits/
(112.53-89.26 irrigation; Poor
Services
MHa) Management system /
Scheduling and Low
39

Investment
Sub-optimal Inefficient (unlined/ More investment towards
Water Use unpiped) water technological advancements
Efficiency- more distribution system is required, this also includes
Wastage funds for progressive and
supportive research and
development for WUE or
similar studies.
Water Regulatory No measurement; Detailed documentation is
Authority- unaccounted use of required to account water
Regulation Inter-coordination water in different sectors resources inter and intra-
between various sectors.
water users
Precision Mostly flood irrigation. More investment towards
irrigation area is technological advancements
very less is required, this also includes
funds for progressive and
supportive research and
development for WUE or
similar studies.
Farm Sector
Cropping pattern Lack of knowledge and A detailed framework is
does not coincide price-based agriculture required for water energy
with available practices and food nexus
Technology water resources
High Chemicals Lack of knowledge and Organic farming must be
usage price-based agriculture promoted
practices
Less WUE /Water No Water Audits, less Establishing more WWTPs,
saving awareness about reusing Proper water auditing, and
Industry
Lack of WWTP waste water reusing water for efficient
consumption and saving.
Leakages; Water saving technology investments
Drinking
Less WUE /Water / containing leaks
Water
productivity
Not valued; No Lack of Infrastructure to Awareness programs for
Value for
Economics water tariffing monitor and control efficient and judicious use of
resource
Wastage, wastages water
Inadequate Fund allocated by the keeping the terrain
investments central govt is uniform conditions and infrastructure
for the nation. cost in north-eastern region,
Financing Investments
it requires special funding
for completing the projects
on time.
No data Poor measurement A water budget portal is
Data
transparency in systems; No data mandatory for auditing the
Transparency Resources
Supply, Demand transparency in Supply, demand supply and
Funds
and Quality Demand and Quality consumptions of each sector.
In Arunachal even Customary norms of It was observed that
in the PIM water allocation are although farmers wanted to
schemes, many respected by the claim ownership, they did
rules concerning community. Hence in not want to take up
the distribution of the current context water responsibility of the
Public
Democracy water are distribution does not irrigation systems. This need
involvement
established and assume significant strengthening of PIM norms
followed in importance to assess the and educating them about
customary impact of PIM O&M of the water
practices based on infrastructure. Government
their own agreed generally lacks the fund for
40

allocation rules continuous wear and tear of
rather than the the structures.
written water
distribution
schedule
Table 3-5 Climate and Infrastructure based research grant and financial support from
State and central
Research Grant /
Financial Support
Poorly Rough terrain, Policy should Infrastructure
developed and financial and target investing developments led
unexplored infrastructure more on project support
groundwater developments infrastructure
resources and support development to
address water use
efficiency issues
Lack of Central/ state level Skill
Poor water knowledge Skill development Development
conservation and exposure schemes Programme on
practices to available convergence with available
technology for the water sector technology for
water related water
conservation policies/schemes. conservation and
and better better precision
precision irrigation
irrigation methods.
methods.
Ground Water Lack of The sites The basic objective Grant on
conjunctive use where ground of ground water conjunctive use of
of Ground- water can be scheme is not to Ground and
Surface water exploited do benefit one farmer. surface water
Supply/
not seem to be The schemes where ground
Source side
conducive for should be modified water can be
community to benefit group of exploited do not
farming, since farmers who can seem to be
large tracts of collectively conducive for
lands are maintain and community
owned by manage the system farming
individual
farmers, thus
most of the
ground water
schemes have
benefited only
individual
farmers
Decline in base Inadequate Water Fund to support
flow in non- Water conservation; Water
monsoon conservation Artificial conservation
Surface Water Recharge;
Afforestation
Flow of large Inadequate Funding towards Fund for Medium
runoff into sea reservoir Medium Irrigation and Large
storage structure irrigation projects
41
Research Grant /
Financial Support
for reservoir
storage
Low storage Siltation, A proper financial Fund allocation
capacity and Erosions and and maintenance for rejuvenations
Tanks & defunct due to flood damage support should be of tanks and
Wetlands poor are major provided for wetlands
maintenance cause rejuvenations of
tanks and wetlands.
Drying Human factors Separate schemes Separate research
and Climate for springs grant on springs
Springs
change rejuvenation are rejuvenation
required
Underutilization Poor drainage Promotions in Infrastructure
of Waste water systems and sewage treatment support grant on
less plants Sewage network
Waste Water established establishment and for Urban local
water sewage enhancing sewage bodies
treatment network in urban
plants local bodies.
High rainfall Heavy Plans for investing Infrastructure
causing floods, precipitations in robust and grant for AWS
landslides and during periodical and River gauge
erosion monsoons and measurement of stations in all
steep slopes climatic variables major watersheds
due to and flow in major
mountainous streams. A detailed
Precipitation topography policy and schemes
should be launched
for all major rivers
for flood control
measures and
providing water
conservation for
dry periods.
Retreating Changing A detailed research Research Grant
glaciers and climatic required for data on Snow melt and
high melting. conditions. collection/ runoff modelling
Glaciers
monitoring of
extent and loss of
glaciers.
Less- Stress / More plans for site Case base study
availability of Scarcity at identification for Grant – Pilot
Drinking
safe Drinking source planting more projects
Water
Water water extraction
units
Large Inadequate Additional surface Grant for
consumer; storage; water storage; maintenance of
Poor Water Use Seasonal Revival of irrigation
Demand side Efficiency shortages, traditional water structures
Farm Sector poor bodies
maintenance
of irrigation
structures due
to lack of fund
No data related Poor High WUE; Water Establishment for
Industry and
to water technology; Audits; Recycling Water Auditing
infrastructure
consumption or Poor recycling framework
42
Research Grant /
Financial Support
demand in Location in
small/ large water scarce
scale industries areas;
Lack of Lack of Policies must target Infrastructure
monitoring policies demands/consumpt grant for metering
systems of pertaining to ions in different the consumption
Establishments
water water establishments and of water
and
consumption requirements secure water
institutions
and demand. at institutional allocation guideline
level. sin annual
budgeting
Forest Shifting There should be Grant for Skill
degradation, cultivation, strict protected Development
conversion of Human land policies, also programme
dense into open invasion, ensuring natural
forests, loss or flow in streams
Forest and
migration of crossing these
wildlife
species. forest lands, to
maintain diversity.
Also promoting
afforestation and
plantation
Pollution / Geo-genic & No STP as of now Infrastructure
Contamination: anthropogenic in state. grant on STP
Ground and
; Inadequacy- Should be invested
Surface Water
measurement more in water
& regulation treatment plants,
Deteriorating Geo-genic & and more water Research grant on
Water Quality- anthropogenic quality Establishment of
Physical, contamination measurement Drinking Water
Chemical and ; Poor stations for testing labs
Biological regulation enforcing strict
Contamination: Poor Water rules on Infrastructure
Sewage supply contaminating grant on Ground
infrastructure points. and Surface
Drinking
and Also, water Water monitoring
Water
maintenance; infrastructure station
Inadequate should be
and ineffective developed to a
Quality treatment standard, for
facility combating any
leakages, and
maintenance
checks.
Deteriorating Irrational Use in Agriculture/ Research grant for
Water Quality; application of Industry water use
Salinity Fertilizers, Infrastructure for efficiency and
Pesticides; robust drainage crop productivity
poor farm systems for
management avoiding any water
Farm Sector practices quality
deterioration
during flow.
High quality crop
varieties and
fertilizers are to be
invested in. More
43
Research Grant /
Financial Support
research should be
promoted to
increase water use
efficiency and crop
productivity.
Contamination Poor There should be Policy led

of Industrial monitoring, policies to research grant on
effluents SW regulation and categorize and Industrial
and GW enforcement conduct recycling effluents SW and
of possible GW
industrial effluents
or leftovers. Also,
dumping of
Industry different type of
effluents should be
regularized, their
outlets to be
marked and
properly managed.
The norms and
regulations should
be enforced.
Glaciers, Climate Research & Climate Change
Springs- Change and Inventory and GHG
Melting/ GHG emission emission base
Drying. research grant
Low Low Soil and moisture Grant and support
Precipitation precipitation conservation for forest
causes soil techniques; restoration,
moisture Conjunctive use of conjunctive use of
depletions and surface and Surface and
may also groundwater and Groundwater
cause low Integrated
crop Watershed
production. Planning for
Less rain alter agriculture
forests covers productivity.
and grazing Forest restoration
Climate lands and agro-forestry
Source
Change converting for ecological.
into scrub Drought proofing
lands techniques-
Inadequate Rainwater
precipitation harvesting,
causes Percolation ponds,
droughts and Farm ponds and de
Alter silting of tanks can
environmental help in combating
flow and lead drought situations.
to drying of
water bodies
also lead poor
water quality.
High Causes silt A detailed policy Financial Support
Precipitation load, flood and schemes on Flood control
and land slide should be launched and de-siltation
44
Research Grant /
Financial Support
that directly for all major rivers
defunct the for flood control
water resource measures and de-
infrastructure. siltation.
No control on State Subject; State Water Establishment of
consumption GOI: only Budgeting; A nodal agency
exceeding advisory role; Rigorous for Water
Water availability No Single awareness Auditing and
Governance Agency for campaign led by budgeting
coordination centre with full
active support from
State
There is lack of The More monitoring Grant for more
Ground water infrastructure stations should be monitoring
monitoring development established, and stations
stations in in regular
valleys, while groundwater measurements and
only few lies in sector is very analysis of the
Ground Water lower plains of poor and observations
the state. terrain should be made.
condition This may also
poses a require different
challenge in funding for
new infrastructure
developments. development.
Poor Measurement Measurement Funded Scheme
monitoring of is almost nil meters required for for Measurement
resource Except observing domestic meters required
Measurement/ availability Reservoir, and industrial for observing
Assessment (supply) and Rivers & requirement domestic and
Institutional consumption Ground Water /consumptions. industrial
(demand) resources requirement
/consumptions
Dams and CAD Poor Need for effective Allocate of fund
-are old; maintenance; organizational for maintenance
Inefficient and Poor structures and of old structures
Infrastructure
Inadequate management allocate fund for
reservoir etc. maintenance of old
storage capacity structures.
Wide gap in Leakages and Incentivization Fund to restore
IPC & IPU Seepage; the Leakages and
(112.53-89.26 Method Seepage
MHa) (Flood) of
irrigation;
Poor
Management
system /
Benefits/ Scheduling
Services and Low
Investment
Sub-optimal Inefficient More investment Funds for
Water Use (unlined/ towards progressive and
Efficiency- unpiped) technological supportive
more Wastage water advancements is research and
distribution required, this also development for
system includes funds for WUE or similar
progressive and studies.
45
Research Grant /
Financial Support
supportive research
and development
for WUE or similar
studies.
Water No Detailed Establishment of
Regulatory measurement; documentation is A nodal agency
Authority- unaccounted required to account for Water
Regulation Inter- use of water in water resources Auditing and
coordination different inter and intra- budgeting
between various sectors sectors.
water users
Precision Mostly flood More investment More investment
irrigation area is irrigation. towards towards
very less technological technological
advancements is advancements is
required, this also required
includes funds for
progressive and
supportive research
and development
for WUE or similar
studies.
Farm Sector Cropping Lack of A detailed Skill development
pattern does not knowledge framework is programme on
coincide with and price- required for water water energy and
available water based energy and food food nexus
resources agriculture nexus
practices
Technology
High Chemicals Lack of Organic farming Skill development
usage knowledge must be promoted programme on
and price- water energy and
based food nexus
agriculture
practices
Less WUE No Water Establishing more More investment
/Water saving Audits, less WWTPs, Proper on more WWTPs
Lack of WWTP awareness water auditing, and
Industry about reusing reusing water for
waste water efficient
consumption and
saving.
Leakages; Water saving investments Investment on
Drinking Less WUE technology / Water saving
Water /Water containing technology
productivity leaks
Not valued; No Lack of Awareness Infrastructure to
water tariffing Infrastructure programs for monitor and
Value for
Economics Wastage, to monitor and efficient and control wastages
resource
control judicious use of
wastages water
Inadequate Fund allocated keeping the terrain Special and
investments by the central conditions and additional grants
govt is infrastructure cost for Arunachal
Financing Investments uniform for in north-eastern Pradesh due to
the nation. region, it requires topography and
special funding for poor connectivity.
completing the
46
Research Grant /
Financial Support
projects on time.
No data Poor A water budget Fund for water
transparency in measurement portal is mandatory budget online
Supply, systems; No for auditing the portal
Data
Demand and data demand supply and
Transparency Resources
Quality transparency consumptions of
Funds
in Supply, each sector.
Demand and
Quality
In Arunachal Customary It was observed Government
even in the PIM norms of that although generally requires
schemes, many water farmers wanted to additional fund
rules allocation are claim ownership, for continuous
concerning the respected by they did not want wear and tear of
distribution of the to take up the structures.
water are community. responsibility of
established and Hence in the the irrigation
followed in current systems. This need
Public customary context water strengthening of
Democracy
involvement practices based distribution PIM norms and
on their own does not educating them
agreed assume about O&M of the
allocation rules significant water
rather than the importance to infrastructure.
written water assess the Government
distribution impact of PIM generally lacks the
schedule fund for continuous
wear and tear of
the structures.
47
Water resources
4 Water resources
The water resources have two facets - dynamic and static. The dynamic resource, measured
as flow, is more relevant for most of the developmental needs. The static or fixed nature of
the resource, involving the quantity of water, the geometry of the water bodies is also
relevant for some activities like pisciculture, navigation etc.
The water resources potential of Brahmaputra basin is the highest in the country, but its
present utilization is the lowest. The Brahmaputra is a major international river covering
drainage of 5,80,000 Sq.km, 50.50% of which is lying in China, 33.60% in India, 8.10% in
Bangladesh and 7.80% in Bhutan. Its basin in India is shared mostly by Arunachal Pradesh
(41.88%), Assam (36.33%), Nagaland (5.57%), Meghalaya (6.10%) Sikkim (3.75%) and
West Bengal (6.47%). Within Arunachal Pradesh, there are 10 major river basins consisting
of 19 catchments of rivers. Numerous rivers originating from these basins ultimately drain to
Brahmaputra River. This is a boon for the State for development of agriculture, power and
industry sectors but at the same time, these rivers have the destructive potentials unless
certain preventive and protective measures are taken up in the State.
The Himalayan Rivers carry heavy sediment loads because of steep bed slope, soft and
friable Himalayan rock. This is further aggravated by population growth with unscientific
human activities on the valleys and high seismicity of the region. Consequent upon major
seismic disturbance in 1950, large-scale landslide and heavy sediment transportation started.
Rivers started braiding in the foothill area and this dynamic process is still actively
continuing. It can compensate the deficit in other basins. Even though the economy of the
state depends on agriculture. Agricultural productivity is low because of a combination of
factors like climatic, infrastructural, biophysical, managerial and socio-economic. Irrigation
development is still in infancy as only 18.06% of the net cropped area is brought under
irrigation. 32.08% of the total area of Arunachal Pradesh is considered a problem area due to
soil erosion and land degradation.
The rich water resources of Arunachal Pradesh are required to be harnessed with a view of
developing irrigation and hydropower. High rainfall combined with some other factors cause
soil degradation which results in low agricultural activity. The water resources developments
influence the land resource management to a great deal. Therefore, it is necessary to develop,
conserve and efficiently utilized the available water. This requires infrastructure and financial
support from the centre.
48
Water resources
About 80% of the mean annual flow of River Brahmaputra is contributed by more than 3,000
small and big river tributaries. Within the state, there are 19 major river basins consisting of
46 major and medium type rivers.
4.1 Available Surface water Resources:
The water balance study finds wide applicability in land and water resource management, agriculture,
horticulture irrigation and domestic and thus it has potential to affect the development of a state,
whose economy largely depends on agriculture production. The state of Arunachal Pradesh has
varying degrees of seasonal & climatic inputs and this specific characteristic of the state contributes to
great variability in the magnitude of agriculture production across the region. The factors accounted to
estimate the water balance are:
a) Hydrometeorological elements like precipitation, temperature, wind velocity and humidity
b) The geomorphologic factors such as area, shape, slope, soil properties, drainage network
characteristics and elevation and
c) Land practices and pattern of the catchment
The issues like accessibility, socio-cultural factors, lack of observatories and climate severity were
accounted for in determining the water balance.
Table 4-1 Sources of data

Subject area Data basis Source and map scale
Basic data Administrative boundaries, stream Survey of India; scale 1: 50 000
networks
Climatic data Present Climate (1900-2013): Daily Indian Meteorological Department
precipitation, daily maximum and
minimum temperature, solar radiation, wind
speed and potential evaporation
Future Climate (2019-2030): Daily Community Climate System Model
precipitation, daily maximum and (CCSM) V4 (RCP 4.5)
minimum temperature, solar radiation, wind
speed and potential evaporation
Soil data Soil type and physical characteristics National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land
(composition of silt, sand, clay, rocks), field use planning (NBSS & LUP); scale 1:250
capacity, bulk density, saturated hydraulic 000, ICAR Basar
conductivity, depth to water table, soil
depth
Land use data Land use pattern NRSC/ ISRO 2005 and 2012
Digital Elevation Topography data/SRTM Survey of India; scale 1:50 000
Model
Potential Evaporation (PET) was used to implement the Thornwaite’s method. The rate of
evapotranspiration depends on three factors: solar radiation, wind velocity and supply of moisture on
the surface from where evaporation occurs. Reference evapotranspiration is defined by the Food and
Agriculture Organization as the rate of evapotranspiration from an extensive surface of 8-15cm tall,
49
Water resources
green grass cover of uniform height, actively growing, completely shading the ground and not short of
water.
Figure 4-1: streams and outlets

The approach followed here used a modeling technique where the land phase of the
hydrological cycle simulation was carried out for whole Arunachal Pradesh.
Figure 4-2: Macro watershed delineation

The land phase of the hydrological cycle was simulated using SWAT (Soil and Water
Assessment Tool) model SWAT has been tested and used successfully for ungauged river
basins mainly due to its spatially explicit parameterization capability.
50
Water resources
Table 4-2 Water availability (in MCM) in different catchments

Catchment Change
ID Code Catchment 2005 2012
Area (km2) (in%)
1 3A2C Dhansiri River 911.73 2809.93 1725.85 -38.58
2 3A2D Twang Chu 2344.23 5757.93 3732.18 -35.18
3 3A3A Bhareli River 2316.43 6192.44 5415.38 -12.55
4 3A3B Bishom River 3490.83 11139.53 5491.32 -50.70
5 3A3C Kameng River 4027.56 11946.74 8591.54 -28.08
6 3A3D Brahmaputra River 604.76 678.97 1684.91 148.16
7 3A3E Disang River 1353.35 2648.32 3548.57 33.99
8 3A4A Dikrang (Subansiri) River 4490.06 11344.15 14889.36 31.25
9 3A4B R B Subansiri River 8275.50 23020.56 25973.14 12.83
10 3A4C L B Subansiri River 7277.42 18411.54 22438.36 21.87
11 3A5A Brahmaputra River 2295.80 6520.87 6567.44 0.71
12 3A5B Dihang River 3918.21 9662.66 11541.24 19.44
13 3A5C Siang River 6077.36 16135.11 20780.59 28.79
14 3A5D Siyom River 5899.13 15601.69 19031.56 21.98
15 3A5F Tirap River 1972.39 4368.08 4765.17 9.09
16 3D4A Lohit River 6277.6 13659.08 13241.22 -3.06
17 3D4B Tellu / Lohit River 9483.08 20335.84 16191.16 -20.38
18 3D4C Lower Dibang River 8485.37 19049.97 23758.64 24.72
19 3D4D Upper Dibang River 4242.09 9371.72 15393.83 64.26
83743 207263.93 218652.97 5.49
Figure 4-3: Change in Total Water availability due land practices at catchment level
51
Water resources
Table 4-3 Water availability (in MCM) in different districts

Total water availability (in MCM) Change
Code District
2005 2012 (in %)
1 Anjaw 14900.95 10982.67 -26.30
2 Changlang 11013.48 10237.11 -7.05
3 Dibang Valley 20104.98 27968.77 39.11
4 East Kameng 11923.97 9246.95 -22.45
5 East Siang 12832.55 14046.25 9.46
6 Kurung Kumey 20503.53 23038.09 12.36
7 Lohit 9772.13 10207.98 4.46
8 Lower Dibang Valley 9096.37 10685.38 17.47
9 Lower Subansiri 7722.73 9368.93 21.32
10 Papum Pare 6799.06 8948.70 31.62
11 Tawang 5334.90 3457.98 -35.18
12 Tirap 3866.22 5046.01 30.52
13 Upper Siang 15884.57 20909.93 31.64
14 Upper Subansiri 17789.33 21980.00 23.56
15 West Kameng 23268.58 12244.17 -47.38
16 West Siang 20053.04 23981.20 19.59
Total 207263.93 218652.97 5.49
4.2 Glaciers, Lakes and Other storages
Glaciers:
Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest concentration of glaciers in India. Glaciers are found in the
Kameng Basin (52 glaciers covering an area of 66 km2), in the Subansiri Basin (91 glaciers
covering an area of 146 km2) and in the Dibang Basin (14 glaciers covering an area of 11
km2).
Table 4-4 Snow melt contribution in the catchment

Snow melt (in mm) Change
ID Code Name
2005 2012 (in %)
1 3A2C Dhansiri River 60.10 0 -60.10
2 3A2D Twang Chu 248.45 186.68 -61.77
3 3A3A Bhareli River 30.29 0.00 -30.29
4 3A3B Bishom River 70.48 80.67 10.19
5 3A3C Kameng River 148.64 8.37 -140.27
6 3A3D Brahmaputra River 0 0 0.00
7 3A3E Disang River 135.78 0.00 -135.78
8 3A4A Dikrang (Subansiri) River 11.64 0.31 -11.33
9 3A4B R B Subansiri River 123.57 4.70 -118.86
10 3A4C L B Subansiri River 115.57 113.19 -2.38
11 3A5A Brahmaputra River 0 0 0
52
Water resources
Snow melt (in mm) Change

ID Code Name
2005 2012 (in %)
12 3A5B Dihang River 115.35 52.24 -63.11
13 3A5C Siang River 437.21 233.33 -203.87
14 3A5D Siyom River 228.82 282.28 53.45
15 3A5F Tirap River 143.36 40.0 -103.36
16 3D4A Lohit River 462.69 9.42 -453.27
17 3D4B Tellu / Lohit River 740.81 24.26 -716.55
18 3D4C Lower Dibang River 860.32 648.66 -211.66
19 3D4D Upper Dibang River 886.70 1337.03 450.32
Figure 4-4: Change in Snow and Glacier cover
Lakes:
Ganga Lake, popularly known as Geker Sinying, is surrounded by lush greenery and majestic
mountains from all sides in Itanagar. Since the lake has no connection with moving water
bodies, therefore, its color is green. Madhuri Lake located in Tawang is a pristine location
nestled amidst the picturesque mountains. The lake is supposed to be an outcome of a major
earthquake in 1950. There was a grazing ground before the earthquake occurred. Nagula lake
in Tawang is usually frozen. Lake of no return, in Chalang district borders on Myanmar, is
1.4 km in length and 0.8 km in width in its widest part.
53
Water resources
Ponds:
Ponds are also the natural habitat of many species thus their loss will endanger a lot of flora
and fauna as well. They are usually considered as the community property used especially for
irrigating agricultural land as also for bathing, washing, cooking purpose and water for their
cattle. More importantly, these ponds help in recharging groundwater while a variety of birds
survive on small fishes and insects in these ponds. In Arunachal Pradesh, ponds have been
constructed but not used for drinking or irrigation purposes. Ita Pukhuri is located at Ithili
village about 14 km from Roing in Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh.
During the months of October/November, hundreds of lotus flowers bloom in the pond. The
Kampona pond located in Idili village near Roing is an ancient clear water tank. The data
shown below confirms the presence of many lakes of different sizes in the state.
Table 4-5 Lakes numbers and area in the state

100 - 25 ha <25 ha <10 ha) <2.25 ha Total
Sl District Nu Area Nu Area Nu Area Nu Area Nu Area
1 Anjaw
2 Changlang - - 1 11 2 7 16 16 19 34
3 Dibang Valley 47 1872 103 1660 290 1387 176 176 619 5467
4 East Kameng 1 37 4 55 22 123 7 7 34 222
5 East Siang
6 Kurung Kumey
7 Lohit (Including Anjaw) 18 716 74 1130 164 794 90 90 346 2730
8 Lower Dibang Valley
9 Lower Subansiri 1 54 5 89 25 98 17 17 48 258
10 Papum Pare
11 Tawang 5 233 13 189 180 662 55 55 253 1139
12 Tirap
13 Upper Siang - - 21 341 46 226 34 34 101 601
14 Upper Subansiri 4 154 16 238 33 185 14 14 67 591
15 West Kameng - - 8 123 88 298 10 10 106 431
16 West Siang 1 51 7 101 49 217 22 22 79 391
Total 77 3117 222 3937 899 3997 441 441 1672 11864
Wetlands:
If we investigate the wetlands of the state, almost all of them have decreased in the area in the
past four years. There are around 7 wetlands in the state whose area is larger than 20 Km sq.
The wetlands have their own ecosystems and any change in moisture availability to these
large areas may affect their viability. There are only 36 man-made wetlands which mainly
includes ponds/tanks or reservoirs.
54
Water resources
Table 4-6 Numbers of Wetlands under various size

<2 2-5 5-10 10-15 15-20 >20 Area (in km2) Change (in %)
District km2 km2 km2 km2 km2 km2 2017 (2014-17)
Tawang 1 1 1.43 -2.3
Anjaw 1 1 1 12.19 -0.1
Dibang Valley 3 314.91 -1
East Kameng 1 48.52 -1.18
Kurung Kumey 2 67.52 -1.87
Lower Dibang
1 67.31 -1.52
Valley
Upper Siang 1 99.05 0.93
Upper
2 1 23.77 0.06
Subansiri
West Kameng 1 23.78 -0.17
Total 6 1 2 0 1 7 658.482 -7.15
Wetland statistics of Arunachal stated that 99.1% of the inland wetland are natural whereas
only 0.9% is man-made. The state should take initiative to the develop more man-made
wetland for ecosystems services.
Table 4-7 Wetland coverage area
Open water (ha)

Post-monsoon Pre-monsoon
Sl Wetland category Num Total Area % of area
area Area
Inland Wetlands- Natural (in ha)
1 Lakes/Ponds 3 18 0.01 16 -
2 Ox-bow lakes/Cut-off Meanders 29 520 0.33 180 39
3 High altitude wetlands 1231 11422 7.33 7946 2984
4 Waterlogged 107 8146 5.23 60 7
5 River/Stream 128 134244 86.2 57811 54354
Sub-total 1498 154350 99.1 66013 57384
Inland wetlands- Man-made (in ha)
1 Reservoirs / Barrages 4 164 0.11 162 124
2 Tanks / Ponds 32 95 0.06 47 8
Sub-Total 1534 154609 99.28 66222 57516
Wetlands (<2.25 ha), mainly Tanks 1119 0.72 - -
Total 2653 155728 100 66222 57516
Area under Aquatic Vegetation 6002 5924
Area under turbidity levels
1 Low 56471 45810
2 Moderate 7984 9541
3 High 1767 2165
55
Water resources
High Altitude Fish Farms:
The High-Altitude Fish Seed Farm, covering an area of 7.4 hectares of land was established
at Tarin (near Ziro town) under North Eastern Council (NEC) in 1985-86. The total water
area covered is 3.0 hectares and total affected water area covered is 2.75 hectare. The total
number of ponds under the farm is 74. Out of which 46 numbers are nursery ponds, 16 are
rearing ponds and 12 are stocking ponds. The Apatani tribe practice aquaculture along with
rice farming on their plots. Rice-fish culture in the valley is a unique practice in the state,
where two crops of rice (Mipya and Emoh) and one crop of fish (Ngihi) are raised together.
Integrating aquaculture with agriculture assures higher productivity and year-round

employment opportunities for farmers. Organic inputs are used in the plots utilized for rice
cum fish culture. Some of the inputs used are poultry dropping (Paro pai), pig excreta (Alyi
ekha), cow dung (Sii ekha) and wastes of plants such as rice husks (Piina), ashes from
household stoves (Mubu) and remains of burnt straws (Muyu) and decomposed straw (Liisi),
weeds (Tamih) and stalks (Ankho).
Reservoir/Storage:
There are no major or medium water storage reservoirs in the State, except one minor. There
are 6 water bodies larger than 50 ha and 64 which, covers an area more than 20ha. These are
mainly tanks or ponds. Lower Subansiri and Ranganadi are two reservoirs in the state for
hydro-generation
Table 4-8 Reservoir information

Live Storage
Name of Length Max Height above Gross Storage
District Capacity
Reservoir (m) Foundation (m) Capacity (MCM)
(MCM)
Subansiri Lower Lower Subansiri 284 130 1365 923.0
Rangaanadi Papum Pare 340 68 21.28 5.7
Total 1386.28 928.7
56
Water resources
Figure 4-5: Wetland of the State

4.3 Ground Water
Arunachal Pradesh has 2.56 BCM annual replenishable ground water resources and net
annual groundwater availability of 2.30 BCM and the annual groundwater draft is 0.0008
BCM. The Stage of Ground Water Development is 0.04 %. In context of Groundwater
development and management, there are no blocks or taluks which fall in the category of the
over-exploited, critical and semi-critical zone. Therefore, the groundwater potential exploited
so far is negligible. With the depletion of surface water resources in the foothill areas of
Arunachal Pradesh, especially Changlang, Lohit, Lower Dibang Valley, East Siang, Papum
Pare and East Kameng Districts, the need to exploit groundwater potential for meeting the
requirements of drinking water and irrigation is increasing day by day.
The CGWB had assessed an irrigational potential about 18,000 hectares through groundwater
in the State. An area of more than 87,500 hectares has been irrigated in Arunachal Pradesh.
Minor Irrigation Census of the State reveals that about 0.12-million-hectare (about 66.67% of
available potential) area is irrigated. Fresh Potential Assessment is being done under GIS
environment and ultimate potential is expected to increase to around 0.85 million hectares.
57
Water resources
Table 4-9 Groundwater resources

Dynamic Ground Water Resources
Annual Replenishable Ground water Resource 2.56 BCM
Net Annual Ground Water Availability 2.30 BCM
Annual Ground Water Draft 0.0008 BCM
Stage of Ground Water Development 0.04 %
Ground Water Development & Management
Over Exploited NIL
Critical NIL
Semi- critical NIL
Ground Water User Maps 8 Districts
Artificial Recharge to Ground Water (AR) Feasible AR structures:
500 Check Dams, 1000 weirs, 1000 Gabion
structures, 300 Development of springs, 600
RTRWH in Urban Areas
AR schemes completed during IX Plan: 1
The state has a varying degree of topography, geology and rainfall which result in regional
disparities in groundwater potential. Approximately 90% of the total geographical area is
covered by hills and forest which results in a very high runoff and this limits the opportunity
for groundwater development. Regardless of several barriers in groundwater development
such as difficult terrain conditions, impenetrable forest, lack of adequate surface water
communication, energy shortage, land holding size and poor coordination between various
agencies there exists considerable scope of expansion of groundwater utilization.
Out of all the groundwater draft, approximately 215 MCM is used for agricultural purposes
mainly for irrigation. While 707.8 MCM is used for domestic and industrial purposes.
Considering the rate of population growth, the total demand for water from ground zones will
be 20122 MCM in the year 2025
If the water level for the year 2015 is compared with the last 10 years of mean, out of 9 wells
observed, all wells show an increase in monsoon water level. The wells show 0-2 meters of
decreased water level as compared to 10 years of the mean for pre-monsoon season, for 5 out
of 10 wells observed. This might indicate an increase of GW draft or decrease of recharge
during the year. Following tables details the inference.
Out of all the districts, the Lohit has the highest groundwater recharge. Adversely to this, the
groundwater development there is much less than other districts. Considering this water
availability, the resources can be used for irrigation, which is currently being exercised only
of its 5%. East Siang though has the highest consumption of Groundwater of all the districts
for agriculture and industrial /domestic use.
58
Water resources
Table 4-10 Groundwater utilization District-wise
Domestic and Industrial uses
Ground Water Availability

for Future Irrigation use
Discharge During Non-
Stage of Ground Water

Annual Ground Water
Projected demand for

Annual Replenishable Ground Water Resource
Net Ground Water
Development (%)
Monsoon Period
Draft
Availability
up to 2025
Sl District Monsoon Season Non-Monsoon Season
Water Supply
Domestic &
Industrial
Irrigation
Recharge
Recharge
Recharge
Recharge
Total
Rainfall
Rainfall
Sources
Sources
Other
Other
Total
from
from
from
from
1 Anjaw
2 Changlang 207.61 0.18 69.07 0.27 277.13 27.71 249.42 0.26 0.99 1.24 2.04 247.12 0.50
3 Dibang Valley
4 East Kameng 133.64 0.00 30.30 0.00 163.94 16.39 147.55 0.15 0.03 0.18 0.14 147.26 0.12
5 East Siang 603.04 0.08 149.49 0.12 752.73 75.27 677.46 0.71 1.79 2.50 3.66 673.10 0.37
6 Kurung Kumey
7 Lohit 1428.90 0.00 523.07 0.00 1951.97 195.20 1756.77 0.05 2.53 2.58 10.81 1745.91 0.15
8 Lower Dibang Valley 704.06 0.00 249.47 0.00 953.53 95.35 858.18 0.34 0.48 0.82 1.61 856.24 0.09
9 Lower Subansiri 17.61 0.00 8.03 0.00 25.64 2.56 23.08 0.05 0.00 0.05 0.12 22.91 0.22
10 Pampum Pare 107.27 0.00 25.04 0.27 132.58 13.26 119.32 0.58 0.84 1.41 1.10 117.65 1.19
11 Tawang
12 Tirap 72.08 0.00 20.44 0.00 92.52 9.25 83.27 0.03 0.18 0.21 0.57 82.67 0.25
13 Upper Siang
14 Upper Subansiri 2.28 0.00 1.05 0.00 3.33 0.33 3.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.00 0.00
15 West Kameng 14.06 0.00 3.44 0.00 17.51 1.75 15.76 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.07 15.69 0.00
16 West Siang 49.36 0.01 12.86 0.01 62.23 6.22 56.01 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.10 55.91 0.45
Total (MCM) 3339.91 0.27 1092.26 0.67 4433.10 443.29 3989.82 2.15 7.08 9.23 20.22 3967.45 0.23
Total (BCM) 3.340 0.000 1.092 0.001 4.433 0.443 3.990 0.002 0.007 0.01 0.02 3.967 0.23
59
Water resources
Table 4-11 District wise categorization of water level fluctuation 10 years mean
August 2005- August 2014
Range (in m) Rise Fall
Number of
District Rise Fall 0-2 m 2-4 m >4 m 0-2 m 2-4 m >4 m
Stations Analyzed
Min Max Min Max No % No % No % No % No % No %
Changlang 4 0.61 1.59 4 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lohit 1 0.43 0.43 1 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Papumpare 1 0.25 0.25 1 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tirap 3 1.41 1.75 3 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 9 9 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
November 2005- November 2014
State / Number of Range (in m) Rise Fall
District Stations Analyzed Rise Fall 0-2 m 2-4 m >4 m 0-2 m 2-4 m >4 m
Changlang 4 0.02 0.75 0.07 0.07 3 75 0 0 0 0 1 25 0 0 0 0
Lohit 1 0.31 0.31 1 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Papumpare 2 0.34 0.36 2 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tirap 3 0.01 0.85 3 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 10 9 90 0 0 0 0 1 10 0 0 0 0
January 2006- January 2015
State / Number of Range (in m) Rise Fall
District Stations Analyzed Rise Fall 0-2 m 2-4 m >4 m 0-2 m 2-4 m >4 m
Changlang 4 0.28 0.77 0.45 0.82 2 50 0 0 0 0 2 50 0 0 0 0
East Siang 1 0.31 0.31 1 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lohit 1 0.38 0.38 1 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Papumpare 2 0.74 0.74 0.35 0.35 1 50 0 0 0 0 1 50 0 0 0 0
Tirap 3 0.45 1.67 3 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 11 8 72.8 0 0 0 0 3 27.2 0 0 0 0
60
Water resources: Utilizations, Consumption and Future demand
5 Water resources: Utilizations, Consumption and Future demand
5.1 Agriculture and Horticulture sector
About 54.6% of the population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities and 80% of the
population living in the rural area is dependent on agriculture and about 62 % of total
working populations are engaged in agriculture. The net area shown increased due to the
extension of agriculture and various central and state initiative and a grant provided to the
department of agriculture that leads to the requirement of better infrastructure for irrigation in
the state.
Table 5-1 Cultivation practices (in ha)

Net area Sown Settled Jhum
1970-1971 115226 28006 87220
1976-1977 111914 40013 71901
1980-1981 118232 52012 66220
1985-1986 149314 76759 72555
1990-1991 165616 92616 73000
1995-1996 164194 80192 84002
2000-2001 200210 116208 84002
2010-2011 216000 131998 84002
Table 5-2 Production of crops
Kharif Season Rabi Season

Irrigated Area
Irrigated Area
Productivity
Productivity
Production
Production
Total Area
Total Area
(tonnes)
(tonnes)
(t/ha)
(t/ha)
(ha)
(ha)
(ha)
(ha)
Food Crops
Paddy 50401 130505 328845 2.51 495 1155 2.33

Maize 40703 59907 1.47 9595 15543 1.62
Millet 26500 27030 1.02
Wheat 1315 3910 7700 1.96
Total Cereals 197708 415782 2.10 14000 24398 1.74
Blackgram 1065 919 0.86 1440 1243 0.86
Moong 1225 1262 1.03
Pea 405 580 1.43 4359 5601 1.28
Arhar 612 554 0.91 161 89 0.55
Rajma 2220 1982 0.89
Other local Pulses 178 155 0.87 1135 679 0.60
Total Pulses 5705 5452 0.96 7095 7612 1.07
Soyabean 2839 2814 0.99
Sesamum 1724 765 0.44
61
Ground nut 628 653 1.04

Sun flower 235 129 0.55
Other local Oilseeds 345 196 0.57
Mustard 29229 31843 1.09
Total Oil seeds 5771 4557 0.79 29229 31843 1.09
Kharif Season 1130 3093 2.73 2411 6822 2.83
Potato 1748 13146 7.52 4222 31629 7.49
Vegetable 10106 50582 5.01 15866 76681 4.83
The highest productivity is of rice or paddy in the state in both the seasons. It accounts for
approximately 2.51 t/ha in Kharif and 2.33 t/ha in Rabi. While even in Kharif season, out of
approx. 1.3 lakh ha, it needs irrigation on around 50 thousand ha of area. While the
production of paddy goes as low as 1100 tonnes in Rabi from 3 lakh tonnes in Kharif. As rice
is an intense water requiring crop, it clearly shows that irrigation facility is not able to support
even half of the production of rice in Rabi season. The production of pulses, however, is 20%
more in Rabi season.
Table 5-3 Production of spices and fruits

Total Area Production Productivity
(ha) (t) (t/ha)
Spices
Large Cardamom 8300.26 1757.43 0.21
Black Pepper 1473.9 100.91 0.07
Ginger 4080.65 20996.39 5.15
Total spices and condiments 13854.81 22854.73
Fruit crop
Citrus (Orange) 42640 217044.1 5.09
Pineapple 6963.6 37331.9 5.36
Apple 4682.3 7280.58 1.55
Banana 5421 31644.08 5.84
Kiwi 3379 6047.34 1.79
Walnut 1108.8 597.2 0.54
Other 20193 6325.02 0.31
Total Fruit crops 66214 306270.2
Ginger, Citrus, Banana and Pineapple are highly produced fruit crops in the state. However,
Apple, kiwi, walnut are other fruit crops which are cultivated.
5.1.1 Irrigated Area
The Command Area Development Water Management (CADWM) programme envisages the
utilization of irrigation potential. Available records indicate that a wide utilization gap exists
till today. Out of 1.20 lakh, hectare net irrigation potential created, about 0.48 lakh hectare
62
only has been brought underutilization. The utilized area works out to be 40% only leaving
60% potential created unutilized. This is a major consumer side of the water in this State.
Percent of irrigation of the state for agriculture is about 19% of total cultivable crop land
whereas the 60374 ha of land is cultivable in horticulture crop. Lohit district shares about
35% of total Horticulture area. Rest all districts ranging from 1 to 10%.
As per the State Government’s New Agriculture Policy, status of Agriculture in Arunachal
Pradesh (Base Year 1999-2000) is to the tune of 1.10-lakh hectare under Jhum/shifting
Cultivation and 0.90 lakh hectare under permanent Cultivation. Rice is of traditional variety
and most of the tribes cultivate different varieties of rice. Paddy, millet, maize, oil seeds,
potato, ginger are the other major crops cultivated. As per WRD, the total coverage assured
under Irrigation is 19% on the net area and 15% to gross area. In terms of expanding
irrigation coverage, in 2005-2006 Government of Arunachal Pradesh were able to increase
the irrigation coverage to 114659 Ha from 110332 Ha in 2004-2005. There exists immense
scope to boost agriculture production by increasing area under irrigation coverage. The
statistics shown in table explains that around 75% of Kharif crop and approx. 94% of Rabi
crop is under rain-fed. In total around 81% of the agriculture is under rain-fed. This reflects
upon the irrigation facility yet to be developed in the state.
63
Table 5-4 Percentage of Irrigation in Agriculture and Horticulture sector
Kharif Rabi Total % of % of

Sl District Horticulture
Irrigated Rainfed Total Irrigated Rainfed Total Irrigated Rainfed Total Irrigated Horticulture
1 Anjaw 1097 7370 8467 53 1194 1247 1150 8564 9714 11.84 1482 2.45
2 Changlang 3642 22067 25709 16 5815 5831 3658 27882 31540 11.60 2085 3.45
3 Dibang Valley 595 3441 4036 1536 1536 595 4977 5572 10.68 2876 4.76
4 East Kameng 1600 11054 12654 162 1764 1926 1762 12818 14580 12.09 342 0.57
5 East Siang 6356 14001 20357 1660 2975 4635 8016 16976 24992 32.07 1000 1.66
6 Kurung Kumey 3034 4950 7984 639 4682 5321 3673 9632 13305 27.61 649 1.07
7 Lohit 6377 14449 20826 0 25980 25980 6377 40429 46806 13.62 21001 34.78
8 Lower Dibang Valley 3319 8307 11626 24179 24179 3319 32486 35805 9.27 3322 5.50
9 Lower Subansiri 6430 10450 16880 60 60 6430 10510 16940 37.96 4024 6.67
10 Papum Pare 5030 8247 13277 133 3809 3942 5163 12056 17219 29.98 3191 5.29
11 Tawang 1122 1390 2512 3197 3197 1122 4587 5709 19.65 3260 5.40
12 Tirap 1094 14171 15265 191 2085 2276 1285 16256 17541 7.33 1573 2.61
13 Upper Siang 1571 7063 8634 284 1274 1558 1855 8337 10192 18.20 1776 2.94
14 Upper Subansiri 1881 5312 7193 394 1450 1844 2275 6762 9037 25.17 4291 7.11
15 West Kameng 2353 2270 4623 3916 3916 2353 6186 8539 27.56 5458 9.04
16 West Siang 4810 15463 20273 1594 3144 4738 6404 18607 25011 25.60 4044 6.70
Total 50311 150005 200316 5126 87060 92186 55437 237065 292502 18.95 60374 100.00
64
5.1.2 Per Capita Food Demand
Various studies have shown that increasing income and urbanization leads to a change in the food
consumption patterns of its people. It is generally accepted that income and urbanization are two
major drivers of changing consumption patterns. People from low-income classes increase their
nutrition intake through easily accessible crops, such as cereals and pulses. With economic growth, as
income and access to other foods increase, people diversify food habits by consuming more non-grain
crops and animal products. Studies have illustrated the emerging shift in food consumption patterns in
India from food grains to non-grain food crops and animal products. Consumption expenditure survey
carried out by Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) show that the average monthly per capita cereal
consumption in the urban areas of India has dropped and the corresponding decline in the rural areas
for the specified periods. Within the grain products, there is a shift from coarse cereals to superior
cereals such as rice and wheat. Studies have also suggested that the per capita grain consumption will
decrease further due to the reduction in the physical labor requirement in rural areas. (Source:
Changing Consumption Patterns of India: Implications on Future Food Demand, Upali A.
Amarasinghe and Om Prakash Singh)
These studies have also forecasted future food requirement. These are basically done at all India level
assuming: These studies have also forecasted future food requirement. These are basically done at all
India level assuming
 The total calorie supply would continue to increase in the future. The share of grain in
consumption basket will decrease in future.
 The dominance of food grains in the consumption basket is likely to decrease in the future,
and the consumption of non-grain crops and animal products would increase to provide a
major part of the daily calorie supply.
 Feed demand is expected to increase much faster with increasing animal products in the diet.
 Although, total food grain demand will decrease; the total grain demand is likely to increase
with the increasing feed demand for the livestock.
To calculate total food production, we need to estimate the following variables for 2030-31:
 Net Sown Area (NSA)

 Cropping Intensity (CI)
 Yield
 On irrigated land
 On un-irrigated land
 Area under irrigation
 Cropping Mix
Food availability is dependent on various factors which change over time. Therefore, to
65
estimate their values in 2030-31, key assumptions must be made for each of the variables.
The calculation matrix below shows the possible future of the agriculture under both
scenarios in 2030-31. Key findings are mentioned below in brief.
Table 5-5 Food Availability and Requirement in 2030-31
Variable Units
Population
Low Growth Scenario 1975000
High Growth Scenario 2054971
Per capita food requirement 240 Kg /cap/ Yr
Total food demand
Low Growth Scenario 474000 MT
High Growth Scenario 493193 MT
Net Sown Area under Food Crops 180556 Ha
Cropping Intensity 1.27
GCA (Food Crops) 229306 Ha
Irrigated Area 68503 Ha
Un- Irrigated Area 160802 Ha
Yield Irrigated Area 2.6 MT/Ha
Un-Irrigated Area 1.1 MT/Ha
Total Production 354992 MT
Food Shortage in 2031 Low Growth Scenario 119008 MT
High Growth Scenario 138201 MT
Firstly, a severe food shortage is estimated under both scenarios. Under the low growth scenario
deficit in food supplies is estimated at 119008 MT and under high growth scenario, the deficit goes up
to 138201 MT. Secondly, the percentage of the total production of food grains the deficit is estimated
at 34% under low growth and 39% under the high growth scenario.
At the present, the figures provided by the Agriculture Department the deficit as a percentage of
production is estimated at 35%. Although, there is not a huge rise in the percentage of the deficit, in
absolute figures the deficit has increased by 40% under low growth and 60% under high growth
scenario. This implies that there will be a very high dependency on food supplies from outside the
state. Lastly, growth in crop yields is a slow process and land for agriculture expansion is limited.
Moreover, double cropping may also not grow rapidly owing to extreme winters at high altitudes and
the mindset of the people.
Therefore, one of the assured ways to achieve self-sufficiency is through the expansion of land under
irrigation. To achieve this target, in addition to the present irrigation infrastructure, 80,000 to 90,000
hectares in addition to present figures must be irrigated in next two decades.
As per the Minor Irrigation Census 2000-01, the available irrigation potential in Arunachal
Pradesh is estimated as 680534 hectares. The total potential created up to 2000-01 is 124250
hectares, out of which the irrigation potential utilized is merely 44478 hectares (Gross
Irrigated Area). This makes up around 36% of the total potential created which is
66
considerably low. Out of the total net irrigated land of approximately 40,000 hectares, around
38300 are through surface water irrigation. The share of groundwater in the total net irrigated
land is around 774 hectares which are considerably low given that the total groundwater
potential estimated to be 150000.
The study has not been able to find reliable time series data on irrigated land in the state to
develop a more extensive multiple regression model and from the interviews with the WRD
officials and engineers it was found that the growth in irrigated land solely depends on the
funds allotted and the manpower that is with the department.
Therefore, it is assumed that no other variable in the past has influenced the expansion of
irrigated land other than available funds and manpower resources. There are wide
discrepancies between available data from different sources. Therefore, we have used data
from the Agriculture Census conducted every 5 years from 1970-71 to 2000-01 to undertake
trend analysis. However, this leaves us with very few data points to accurately project the
future land under irrigation. Looking at the past trend of the land under irrigation in
Arunachal Pradesh it can be seen the trend is almost linear with very slight variation.
Therefore, we have fitted a linear function on the times series data and projected till 2030-31.
The R-square for the linear fit is 0.91 reflecting the good fit of the linear nature of the past
trends. The projected area for the year 2030-31, under gross irrigation given the past pace of
expansion is estimated to be 68,500 hectares.
70000
60000
50000
Area (in ha)
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
2000-2001 2010-2011 2020-2021 2030-2031
Figure 5-1: Land under irrigation
67
Table 5-6 Rainfed and Irrigated production and yield
Rainfed Irrigated Total Gross Net Un- Gross

Prod Yield Prod Yield Prod Yield Irrigated Irrigated Irrigated Cropped
Sl District Area Area Area (Ha) (Ha) (Ha) (Ha)
Q/yr kg/ha Q/yr kg/ha Q/yr kg/ha
1 Anjaw 8564 96340 1125 1150 15709 1366 9714 112049 1153 1150 1097 10046 11196
2 Changlang 27882 452156 1622 3658 76624 2094 31540 528780 1677 3658 3642 29967 33625
3 Dibang Valley 4977 64383 1294 595 8092 1360 5572 72475 1301 595 595 7853 8448
4 East Kameng 12818 192275 1500 1762 39832 2261 14580 232107 1592 1762 1600 13160 14922
5 East Siang 16976 279265 1645 8016 153510 1915 24992 432776 1732 8016 6356 17976 25992
Kurung
6 9632 135346 1405 3673 62658 1706 13305 198004 1488 3673 3034 10281 13954
Kumey
7 Lohit 40429 800247 1892.5 6377 150196 2293 46806 950442 1942.5 6377 5419 61430 67807
Lower Dibang
8 32486 742352 2285 3319 81316 2450 35805 823667 2300 3319 3319 35808 39127
Valley
Lower
9 10510 128100 1219 6430 108805 1692 16940 236905 1399 6430 6430 14534 20964
Subansiri
10 Pampum Pare 12056 184647 1532 5163 85909 1664 17219 270556 1571 5163 5030 15247 20410
11 Tawang 4587 105867 2308 1122 26599 2371 5709 132446 2320 1122 1122 7847 8969
12 Tirap 16256 266378 1634 1285 21686 1816.5 17541 288064 1648.5 1285 1074 17829 19114
13 Upper Siang 8337 104189 1250 1855 35521 1915 10192 139710 1371 1855 1571 10113 11968
Upper
14 6762 86082 1273 2275 31259 1374 9037 117341 1298 2275 1881 11053 13328
Subansiri
15 West Kameng 6186 127456 2060 2353 52968 2251 8539 180279 2111 2353 2353 11644 13997
16 West Siang 18607 220447 1185 6404 101156 1579 25011 321603 1286 6404 4810 22651 29055
Total 237065 3985530 25229.5 55437 1051840 30107.5 292502 5037204 26190 55437 49333 297439 352876
68
Moreover, given the minimal exploitation of groundwater potential, it is assumed that most of
the irrigation in the state in 2030-31 will be dependent on surface flow irrigation. The
detailed summary sheet of irrigated, rainfed and types of cropped area was developed to
estimate the crop water reequipment for the future. The table shows the district wise yield
under rain-fed and irrigated agriculture lands. The yield is comparatively better by 5000
kg/ha in irrigated lands that the rain-fed.
With growth in government expenditure on state infrastructure, thereby improving

connectivity and communication, agriculture sector is expected to perform better than it has
in the past few decades. Empirical studies and field survey show that irrigation has a potential
to increases crop yields (2-3 times) owing to the increase in availability and reliability with
respect to water supply, thereby, directly addressing the issue of food deficit. Cereals and
horticultural crops are cultivated on major part of the gross cropped area in the State. The
assumptions used are as under: For paddy: 0.03 m per ha, for Maize: 0.045 m per ha, for
Millet: 0.15 m per ha, Vegetables: 0.18 m per Ha and for Horticulture crops: 0.015 m per ha.
The small portion of area under other crops has been taken in category of vegetables and
same assumption has been made for calculation of water requirement of both agriculture and
horticulture crops.
Water potential required has been derived from water required by crops cultivated under
rainfed conditions. Therefore, the existing water potential represents the water requirement of
crops cultivated in irrigated areas. Currently, the total crop water requirement for the State is
16254.75 MCM which is projected to increase to 20073.76 MCM by 2021. The present crop
water potential created in the State is 3697.99 MCM. Thus, it can be concluded from the table
that a total water potential of 16375.77 MCM is to be created in the State to fulfil the
requirement of crops and to provide assured irrigation facilities to farmers of the State
Table 5-7 District-wise Agriculture Water Demand

Existing Water Water
Gross Net Existing
Projected Water Potential Potential
Crop Irrigated Water
Sl District Irrigated Requirem Required in to be
area Area Potential
(Ha) ent 2021 Created
(Ha) (Ha) (MCM)
(MCM) (MCM) (MCM)
1 Anjaw 11196 1097 10046 556.29 75.56 660.01 584.46
2 Changlang 33625 3642 29967 1815.94 240.34 1968.82 1728.49
Dibang
3 8448 595 7853 248.88 39.07 515.96 476.89
Valley
4 East Kameng 14922 1600 13160 792.34 115.77 864.62 748.85
5 East Siang 25992 6356 23466 1285.34 526.62 1541.70 1015.08
69
Kurung
6 13954 3034 13365 753.33 241.38 878.09 636.71
Kumey
7 Lohit 67807 5419 62182 2542.59 418.96 4085.36 3666.40
Lower Dibang
8 39127 3319 35641 2257.16 218.07 2341.64 2123.57
Valley
Lower
9 20964 6430 13525 825.90 422.49 888.59 466.10
Subansiri
10 Pampum Pare 20410 5030 14142 908.58 339.23 929.11 589.88
11 Tawang 8969 1122 7847 272.53 73.67 504.64 430.97
12 Tirap 19114 1074 17829 1122.24 84.42 1171.34 1086.92
13 Upper Siang 11968 1571 10113 567.24 121.89 664.43 542.54
Upper
14 13328 1881 10393 444.34 205.17 682.82 477.65
Subansiri
15 West Kameng 13997 2353 12085 471.46 154.59 793.95 639.36
16 West Siang 29055 4810 24090 1390.58 420.78 1582.67 1161.89
Total 352876 49333 305704 16254.75 3697.99 20073.76 16375.77
Table 5-8 Fish Culture
Govt. Fish Govt. Area under Total area

People Fish Fingerlings
Fish Beels Hatcheries Paddy cum- developed for
Year Ponds/Farms Distribution
Farm /Lakes (Ha) Fish Culture pisciculture
(Ha) (Lakh)
(Ha) (Ha) (Ha) (Ha)
1993-1994 28 410 9 1082 1681 60
1995-1996 31 635 9 1232 2058 70
1997-1998 31 612 9 872 1622 75
1999-2000 31 807 9 967 1912 80
2000-2002 31 894 11 1071 2103 85
2004-2005 31 1011 11 1171 2388 90
2006-2007 35 1100 11 1200 2465 100
2008-2009 35 6070 6 1325 2700 100
2009-2010 36 6377 107 6 1345 2700 120
2010-2011 36 9200 107 6 1675 3200 150
2011-2012 36 9500 107 6 1675 3200 150
2012-2013 36 10500 104 10 1775 3425 165
2013-2014 33 10650 104 10 1825 3600 169
Table 5-9 Fish Production

Fish Production Fish Sheed (Million Nos)
Year (Tonnes)
Fry Fingerling
2008-2009 2.7 2.6 10
2009-2010 2.75 2.7 12
2010-2011 2.9 2.7 11
2011-2012 3.01 0 15
2012-2013 3.08 0 18
2013-2014 3.5 0 19.5
2014-2015 4 4.5 0
2015-2016 4.04 5.5 0
70
5.2 Domestic
The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has been doing the endeavours to ensure adequate
potable water and sanitation facilities to the rural people. The responsibility of planning and
implementation of drinking water and sanitation programmes is with Public Health
Engineering Department (PHED). The department is showing a consistent emphasis on not
only rural water supply and sanitation but also on the quality of drinking water and
environmental sanitation. Although the amount of rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh is high about
the water-holding capacity of the soil in the narrow foothill belt is very low. The torrential
rains wash away the top soil on the hill slopes which has further been intensified by
continued deforestation and another reason is jhum cultivation. Tanks, ponds etc. are almost
negligible in number and the rainwater quickly runs down the slopes and thereafter through
innumerable swift-flowing rivers and rivulets to the plains of Assam. The table below shows
the number of handpumps, point sources and piped connections in the state. Papum Pare,
Kurung Kumey, West Siang, Lohit, tirap, East siang,and Changlang covers 62% of total
population. For Lower Dibang Valley, East Siang and Tawang, the no. of piped connections
to households is very low in comparison to other districts. East Kameng, Tirap, Kurung
Kumey and Lohit have less no. of handpumps in with respect to rural population they
accommodate.
Table 5-10 Drinking water supply

Total
Point Total House Total
Rural Total No. of population
Sl District Sources Piped hand
Population Houses habitations Coverage
(Num.) Connection pumps
(%)
1 Anjaw 21315 4444 317 1017 252 223 1.71
2 Changlang 138065 25469 482 2833 335 0 11.08
3 Dibang Valley 5620 2830 194 391 140 0 1.14
4 East Kameng 64107 10546 448 783 279 20 5.15
5 East Siang 98718 17537 337 570 185 0 7.92
6 Kurung Kumey 109123 17837 887 1041 398 12 8.76
7 Lohit 120536 20733 352 665 230 14 9.67
Lower Dibang
8 Valley 42691 13049 401 289 141 0 5.01
Lower
9 Subansiri 73534 11145 666 846 244 87 5.9
10 Papum Pare 102476 17891 626 869 259 0 8.23
11 Tawang 52439 10669 447 181 108 1 4.21
12 Tirap 92314 16073 260 1224 179 17 7.41
13 Upper Siang 28780 8443 212 438 97 0 3.29
14 Upper 72477 12100 741 90 88 0 5.82
71
Subansiri
15 West Kameng 70459 14646 525 767 240 0 5.66
16 West Siang 112629 17360 687 1202 437 223 9.04
Total 1205283 220772 7582 13206 3612 597 100
Status of access, coverage & slippages (if any) of drinking water supply are provision for the
rural population. This includes the water requirement by the households for the purposes such
as drinking, cooking, bathing, lawn sprinkling, gardening, sanitary purposes, etc. The amount
of domestic water consumption per person shall vary according to the living conditions. The
total domestic water demand shall be equal to the total population multiplied by the desirable
level of per capita domestic consumption. It has been assumed that per capita daily water
requirement of people residing in urban areas of the State is 140 LPCD (litres per capita per
day) and for population in rural areas, the daily per capita water requirement is 120 litres. As
the last population census was done in 2011, the actual population of the State in 2016 is not
readily available. Considering the base population of the State as per the Census 2011, the
projected population in 2021 can be assessed by applying the last decadal growth rate of
26.03%. Using the above norms, the annual gross domestic water demand for 2021 for the
projected level of population in Arunachal Pradesh would be 78.08 MCM.
Table 5-11 District-wise Domestic Annual water demand

Present Water Projected Annual Water
Population Population
Sl District Requirement - population Requirement -
(2011) (2016)
2016 (MCM) (2021) 2021 (MCM)
1 Anjaw 21167 22972 0.11 24173 0.22
2 Changlang 148226 161700 7.97 173459 8.55
3 Dibang Valley 8004 8407 0.38 9254 0.42
4 East Kameng 78690 90531 4.63 105333 5.38
5 East Siang 99214 104689 4.2 111960 4.49
6 Kurung Kumey 92076 144329 7.11 196582 9.69
7 Lohit 145726 157814 7.16 170904 7.76
8 Lower Dibang Valley 54080 56027 2.54 60285 2.73
9 Lower Subansiri 83030 105466 3.53 133965 4.48
10 Papum Pare 176573 219758 9.79 273505 12.18
11 Tawang 49977 57074 2.57 65178 2.97
12 Tirap 111975 118550 4.5 124658 4.65
13 Upper Siang 35320 36362 1.86 37195 1.9
14 Upper Subansiri 83448 106899 3.23 136941 4.14
15 West Kameng 83947 89206 4.03 94795 4.11
16 West Siang 112274 116861 4.23 138067 4.41
Total 1383727 1596645 67.84 1856254 78.08
Table above indicates the district-wise projection of water demand in the year 2021 for which
72
the actual decadal growth rate of each district in 2011 Census has been reckoned. In the hilly
catchments of the upstream of Arunachal Pradesh plains, natural springs and dug wells are
generally the preferred means of fulfilling the needs of freshwater for the present population.
In hilly areas, most of the drinking water is harnessed from springs, streams, rivers, ponds
and natural water bodies. However, major portion of the domestic water is harnessed from
ground water, predominantly through shallow tube wells and dug wells. Although there is
abundant surface water in Arunachal Pradesh, ground water continues to play a significant
role in meeting the water demands of most communities in the State, especially those in the
rural areas, with tube wells and dug wells as the most common means to access water.
5.3 Livestock
The 19th Livestock Census, the last full census exercise, was undertaken in 2012. However,
in the year 2016 there were 2759494 numbers of livestock in Arunachal Pradesh. It has been
assumed that the existing water potential is equal to present water demand of livestock. Thus,
the water potential to be created implies the quantum of water availability to be created to
meet the water demand by the livestock in 2021.
600
500
Population (in Millian)
400
300
200
100
0
1988 1992 1997 2003 2007 2012
Cattle Buffalo
Sheep Pigs
Mithun Yak
Donkey/Horse/Mules Dzo- Dzomo
Dog Rabbit
Figure 5-2: Livestock growth
73
Table 5-12 Livestock population

Species
1988 1992 1997 2003 2007 2012
(in Million)
Cattle 312.021 346.535 448.683 458.173 503.124 456.27
Buffalo 12.196 10.241 11.051 9.5 3.189 5.885
Sheep 28.742 32.774 28.472 6.529 19.889 12.877
Goat 108.389 128.134 182.582 231.272 296.196 301.193
Pigs 242.853 239.197 275.372 329.886 357.069 349.89
Mithun 9.83 105.729 24.193 172.504 219.784 253.215
Yak 7.75 9.675 8.921 7.935 5.975 11.899
Donkey/Horse/Mules 5.472 5.814 6.758 6.515 5.754 3.998
Dzo- Dzomo 6.778 6.952 87.502 5.197 8.256 3.865
Dog 7.347 90.598 106.077 105.286 116.105
Rabbit 0.011 0.464 0.208
The species number of different animals in the state observed since 1988 is given above. The
number species of buffalo and sheep has greatly reduced since 1988 to 2012. While there is
decrease in number of Donkey species, there is high increase in Mithun breed.
In the year 2016 there were 2759494 numbers of livestock in Arunachal Pradesh. It has been
assumed that the existing water potential is equal to present water demand of livestock. Thus,
the water potential to be created implies the quantum of water availability to be created to
meet the water demand by the livestock in 2021.
74
Table 5-13 District wise information of livestock

Small Animals Large Animals
Buffallo Milch /Meat Draft
Sl District Poultry Ducks Pigs Goats Sheep Total Indigenous Hybrid Total
/Mithun (any other) Animal
1 Anjaw 35969 83 15211 5745 57008 5234 457 9758 15449
2 Changlang 137439 14558 29812 35641 581 218031 59609 703 397 3 47 60759
3 Dibang Valley 8340 1049 2000 1526 54 12969 238 28 5565 670 6501
4 East Kameng 31236 22165 53401 28433 20471 48904
5 East Siang 107586 116480 35624 18730 278420 74704 4678 45 79427
6 Kurung Kumey 60690 25100 21400 18976 126166 29672 2542 17069 49283
7 Lohit 132887 7121 16452 33765 0 190225 78232 6945 5560 2061 1871 94669
Lower Dibang
8 68026 8636 15525 22257 114444 26039 3060 2163 17186 3053 51501
Valley
9 Lower Subansiri 93818 7957 22526 11612 246 136159 66107 471 10646 77224
10 Papum Pare 133756 21345 36298 44382 235781 100149 4052 398 104599
11 Tawang 12617 5221 8590 8044 34472 24417 1260 2939 9825 38441
12 Tirap 67766 0 19630 16031 0 103427 11728 398 47 5523 0 17696
13 Upper Siang 85789 8969 20891 7690 123339 17336 45 5915 23296
14 Upper Subansiri 36875 22958 19531 406 79770 38063 38063
15 West Kameng 28601 552 5453 11343 3478 49427 16158 145 11 4165 2969 23448
16 West Siang 98713 38632 20032 157377 35285 383 24151 59819
Total 1108872 211850 338869 298016 12809 1970416 611404 25139 29053 57913 65570 789079
75
The livestock water requirement of the State has been assessed district wise considering per
capita daily water requirement for cows/buffaloes and other large animals as 65 L, goats/pigs
6 L and Poultry 0.25 L. Thus, water demand for livestock of the State during 2021 is
expected to be 31.53 MCM as compared to the present demand of 23.41 MCM and, hence,
the estimated water potential to be created in the State for its livestock population is 11.75
MCM in addition to the present created potential of 19.78 MCM. The district-wise livestock
water demand for the State has been assessed in Table below.
Table 5-14 District-wise Livestock Annual water demand

Potential
Current Projected Water Existing
Livestock to be
Sl District Demand-2016 Livestock Demand- Potential
- 2016 Created
(MCM) - 2021 2021 (MCM) (MCM)
(MCM)
1 Anjaw 72457 0.04 79703 0.08 0.03 0.05
2 Changlang 278790 1.18 244332 1.04 1.04 0
3 Dibang Valley 19470 0.16 23169 0.19 0.16 0.03
4 East Kameng 102305 1.65 117806 1.9 1.65 0.25
5 East Siang 357847 1.41 397210 1.72 0.31 1.41
6 Kurung Kumey 175449 2.56 201766 3.07 2.56 0.51
7 Lohit 284894 2.34 376557 3.09 2.18 0.91
8 Lower Dibang Valley 165945 1.29 176234 1.39 1 0.39
9 Lower Subansiri 213383 2.28 717660 3.28 1.85 1.43
10 Papum Pare 340380 3.61 783519 6.76 2.4 4.36
11 Tawang 72912 0.97 80204 1.05 0.97 0.08
12 Tirap 121123 0.44 126357 0.49 0.44 0.05
13 Upper Siang 146635 2.14 190626 3.64 2.14 1.5
14 Upper Subansiri 117833 0.87 128801 0.95 0.86 0.09
15 West Kameng 72875 0.63 78414 0.65 0.63 0.02
16 West Siang 217196 1.83 499963 2.23 1.56 0.67
Total 2759494 23.41 4222321 31.53 19.78 11.75
The livestock water requirement of the State has been assessed district wise considering per
capita daily water requirement for cows/buffaloes and other large animals as 65 L, goats/pigs
6 L and Poultry 0.25 L. Thus, water demand for livestock of the State during 2021 is
expected to be 31.53 MCM as compared to the present demand of 23.41 MCM and, hence,
the estimated water potential to be created in the State for its livestock population is 11.75
MCM in addition to the present created potential of 19.78 MCM. The district-wise livestock
water demand for the State has been assessed.
5.4 Industrial
Arunachal Pradesh is rich in natural resources but due to difficult terrain, inadequate
infrastructural facilities and varying climatic conditions, the state could not develop much in
76
the industrial sector of its economy. However, the resources, policy incentives & climate in
state support investments in mining & mineral products (including cement), tissue culture &
floriculture, plantation crops (tea, rubber, etc.) & agro-based industries. Based on the
available information collected from DIPs in each of the 18 districts in Arunachal Pradesh,
the total requirement of water by the industries has been assessed and shown, district-wise.
Table 5-15 District-wise Industrial Annual water demand

Present Water Water demand - Existing potential Potential to be
Sl District
demand (MCM) 2021 (MCM) (MCM) created (MCM)
1 Anjaw 4.27 0 4.27
2 Changlang 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.01
3 Dibang Valley
4 East Kameng
5 East Siang 0.57 0.62 0.57 0.05
6 Kurung Kumey
7 Lohit 0.33 0.38 0.33 0.06
8 Lower Dibang Valley 0.03 0.06 0.03 0.06
9 Lower Subansiri
10 Papum Pare
11 Tawang 0.12 0.13 0.12 0.02
12 Tirap 0.0015 0.0015 0.0015 0.0001
13 Upper Siang
14 Upper Subansiri
15 West Kameng
16 West Siang
Total 1.07 5.49 1.03 4.46
The total assessed water potential to be created for industries is 4.46 MCM. This data is
obtained from PMKSY state irrigation Report. Power or electricity is the most convenient
and versatile form of energy. It plays a key role in the industrial, agricultural and commercial
sectors of the economy and is also the most crucial source of supplying domestic energy
requirements. The demand has, therefore, been growing at a rate faster than other forms of
energy. The demand of power met mainly from Grid Power, diesel and hydro generation. As
of June 2016, Arunachal Pradesh had a total installed power generation capacity of 257.86
MW. Hydro energy (97.57 MW) accounted for around 37.84% of Arunachal Pradesh
installed power generation capacity. Though power plays a vital role in the development of
the state, Arunachal Pradesh is facing the problem of power shortage. The state continues to
be deficit in electric energy. Water demand for power generation is zero in the state as there
are no thermal power plants in the state
77
5.5 Institutional
Medical Institutions
Inhospitable terrain and low population density make redering of health services rather
difficult in Arunachal Pradesh. The inventory of medical institutions is taken from different
sources like state profile, website and documents available on website of government
departments in Arunachal. The medical institutions are categorized under various categories
including government, family welfare clinics, medical colleges etc. The number of beds in
each category of medical institution is taken from state department web-portals/documents.
The water demand for each bed is taken from government norms and according to population
Table 5-16 Water Demand -Medical Institutions

State Private Total Family
Sl Districts Ayurvedic Homeopathic Total
Govt Aided Allopathic Welfare
1 Anjaw 8 8 16
2 Changlang 45 45 1 7 98 30
3 Dibang Valley 14 14 8 36 4
4 East Kameng 61 61 4 126 23
5 East Siang 66 66 1 7 140 50
6 Kurung Kumey 86 86 1 5 178 18
7 Lohit 62 62 4 128 29
8 Lower Dibang Valley 36 36 1 3 76 22
9 Lower Subansiri 66 66 1 9 142 25
10 Papum Pare 73 1 74 5 9 162 32
11 Tawang 24 24 4 52 18
12 Tirap 50 50 6 106 22
13 Upper Siang 20 20 2 42 16
14 Upper Subansiri 57 57 1 7 122 29
15 West Kameng 45 45 2 8 100 27
16 West Siang 69 69 1 5 144 44
Total 774 1 775 14 96 1660 405
78
Table 5-17 District-wise Medical Institutions Annual water demand

General District Total Water
Sl Districts CHC/PHC/HSC Total
Hospital Hospital Bed Demand
1 Anjaw (Average estimation) 0.14
2 Changlang 65 70 135 405 0.07
3 Dibang Valley 22 108 130 390 0.07
4 East Kameng 62 78 140 420 0.08
5 East Siang 120 101 221 663 0.12
6 Kurung Kumey (Average estimation) 0.09
7 Lohit 94 161 255 765 0.14
8 Lower Dibang Valley (Average estimation) 0.09
9 Lower Subansiri 100 62 162 486 0.09
10 Papum Pare 300 62 362 1086 0.20
11 Tawang 30 24 54 162 0.03
12 Tirap 60 127 187 561 0.10
13 Upper Siang 30 48 78 234 0.04
14 Upper Subansiri 84 30 114 342 0.06
15 West Kameng 75 68 143 429 0.08
16 West Siang 66 171 237 711 0.13
Total 420 688 1110 2218 6654 1.53
Educational
Arunachal Pradesh is lagging behind in the field of higher education in comparison with the
country and the north-eastern region. Non-availability if proper infrastructure facilities in
colleges and university due to shortage of fund are the main problems for achieving the goal
of higher education. The directorate of higher and technical oversee the establishment and
maintenance of collegiate education consisting of eleven colleges and technical education in
the state. Due to paucity of funds even the basic minimum infrastructure viz., academic
buildings, lecture halls, hostels, residential buildings, water supply, road, sports facility and
health care are yet to develop. Any such development needs constant water supply. Dedicated
allocation water is required for utilities, canteens, gardening, sports complex and activities.
According to the 2001 census, the literacy rate is 68.4%; there are however, concerns over the
quality of education, as the relatively high literacy level has not translated into high rate of
employment or productivity. Table below depicts no. of different types of educational
institutions in the state. The table also lists the number of students in each type of institution.
There is only 1 university in state and 25 colleges. The water consumption for each
educational institution is calculated based on per student water consumption rates in
L/day/student taken from government norms and research publication.
79
Table 5-18 Water Demand-Education Sector

University Colleges Higher Secondary Secondary Middle Primary Pre - Primary
Sl Districts
No. Students No. Students No. Students No. Students No. Students No. Students Students
1 Anjaw 473 2 2811 3 5061 29 9604 48 18884 3744
2 Changlang 1 1988 1 2838 7 6799 18 17260 1539
3 Dibang Valley 10 104 19 104 93 422 178 790 258
4 East Kameng 357 6 1694 10 2399 62 4465 205 13110 1471
5 East Siang 5 3959 12 2841 23 4979 78 9499 144 16616 413
6 Kurung Kumey 59 5 455 8 895 82 5249 164 17354 674
7 Lohit 1639 6 2710 10 4698 27 9109 67 20564 2788
8 Lower Dibang Valley 9 1248 24 1843 67 3890 178 9131 51
9 Lower Subansiri 3 777 7 2186 21 2705 100 6033 162 17043 496
10 Papum Pare 1 1310 6 6978 21 6341 35 9138 98 16804 204 33828 1122
11 Tawang 4 780 11 1034 37 2097 80 4680 1759
12 Tirap 242 8 231 14 512 61 1298 164 3037 214
13 Upper Siang 5 681 4 1221 27 3027 76 5897 1430
14 Upper Subansiri 299 4 1976 13 2735 62 7021 131 17406 854
15 West Kameng 2 877 8 1259 15 2234 57 4574 137 10691 3098
16 West Siang 4 1080 14 3559 18 5842 83 8840 220 19476 1793
Total 25 16740 122 30864 229 48238 970 98731 2176 225767 21704
80
Accordingly, the water demand as per existing educational infrastructure comes out to be
7.13 MCM for entre state. The Papum pare, Anjaw and Lohit shows maximum water
demand. Dibang Valley, Tirap, Tawang, Upper Siang, Lower Dibang Valley and West
Kameng. It is to be noticed that consumption rate for each student gradually decreases from
pre-primary to higher education institutions. While in some districts, the number of
institutions is more, it is the strength of students which dictates its water demand.
Table 5-19 District-wise Educational Annual water demand

Higher Pre - Demand
Sl Districts University Colleges Secondary Middle Primary
Secondary Primary (MCM)
1 Anjaw 473 2811 5061 9604 18884 3744 0.66
2 Changlang 1988 2838 6799 17260 1539 0.51
3 Dibang Valley 104 104 422 790 258 0.03
4 East Kameng 357 1694 2399 4465 13110 1471 0.39
5 East Siang 3959 2841 4979 9499 16616 413 0.58
6 Kurung Kumey 59 455 895 5249 17354 674 0.42
7 Lohit 1639 2710 4698 9109 20564 2788 0.67
Lower Dibang
8 1248 1843 3890 9131 51 0.26
Valley
9 Lower Subansiri 777 2186 2705 6033 17043 496 0.48
10 Papum Pare 1310 6978 6341 9138 16804 33828 1122 1.15
11 Tawang 780 1034 2097 4680 1759 0.17
12 Tirap 242 231 512 1298 3037 214 0.09
13 Upper Siang 681 1221 3027 5897 1430 0.20
14 Upper Subansiri 299 1976 2735 7021 17406 854 0.50
15 West Kameng 877 1259 2234 4574 10691 3098 0.37
16 West Siang 1080 3559 5842 8840 19476 1793 0.65
Total 1310 16740 30864 48238 98731 225767 21704 7.13
Total Demand
0.01 0.12 0.34 0.70 1.44 4.12 0.40
(MCM)
Consumption
20 20 30 40 40 50 50
(L/day/Student)
5.6 Water uses by Forestry
Forest is the most important resource in Arunachal Pradesh with the predominantly large
tribal population living in close association with forests and highly dependent on it. Carbon
sequestration of forests of Arunachal Pradesh is very significant in India. Apart from
projected vulnerability due to climate change, the forests in Arunachal Pradesh also face
several threats and biotic pressures in the form of shifting cultivation, grazing, forest fires,
encroachment, commercial plantations, human-wildlife conflicts and illegal extraction of
forest products along interstate borders. According to SAPCC Arunachal Pradesh 2030, the
rainfall is projected to decrease which makes role of forest in water resources availability
81
more important. Forest affects hydrological regimes through evapotranspiration and holding
under the soil. In this study, SWAT model is used to calculate ET for two landuse classes,
namely 2005 & 2012 and Future climate projection 2030. Forest area in each district is taken
from state forest department. The area under Anjaw and Lohit is not available due to division
of two districts. The total forest area in a district is fractioned out using total district area, and
then ET is calculated as water use.
The table shows total ET and water consumption under forest category in each district. The
water consumption is calculated for two periods, 2005 and 2012 respectively. The change
between two is reported. The state reflects positive value of ET overall, and shows increased
ET in 2012, in comparison to 2005. The water consumption for different districts shows
negative and positive values, both. The change in consumption might be a function of various
happenings, 1) decrease of dense forest; 2) conversion of dense forest into open forest or
degraded forest; 3) the degraded forest converted into open forest 4) Open forest converted
into dense forest and 5) Forest plantation. The negative values show decrease in water
consumption, due to dense forest converted into either open or degraded whereas increase in
consumption due to either degraded forest converted into open forest or forest plantation. The
under the same land use practice (2012) future water consumption was increased in 2030
which function of future rainfall and temperature.
Figure 5-3: Change of Evapotranspiration due to land practices
82
Table 5-20 Water Demand by Forestry

Land Practice Climate Change
2005 2012 2030
Impact Effects
Sl District
Area ET Water Uses Area ET Water Uses Change Area ET Water Uses Change
Change Change
(Km2) (mm) (MCM) (Km2) (mm) (MCM) ( %) (Km2) (mm) (MCM) ( %)
1 Anjaw 4562.50 310.38 1416.10 4412.00 307.21 1355.40 -60.70 -0.28 4412.00 468.00 2064.82 709.42 3.27
2 Changlang 4168.02 336.33 1401.84 4072.12 336.80 1371.51 -30.33 -0.14 4072.12 456.21 1857.75 486.25 2.24
3 Dibang Valley 4181.07 251.97 1053.52 4162.23 226.24 941.66 -111.85 -0.52 4162.23 518.54 2158.26 1216.60 5.60
4 East Kameng 3596.11 399.04 1435.01 3591.26 352.11 1264.54 -170.47 -0.79 3591.26 453.48 1628.57 364.04 1.68
5 East Siang 3419.27 304.06 1039.65 3419.27 407.80 1394.38 354.72 1.64 3419.27 466.13 1593.84 199.46 0.92
6 Kurung Kumey 5620.02 381.69 2145.08 5620.02 349.83 1966.04 -179.04 -0.83 5620.02 423.01 2377.34 411.29 1.89
7 Lohit 2610.92 318.89 832.59 2565.77 340.15 872.76 40.17 0.19 2565.77 440.55 1130.36 257.60 1.19
Lower Dibang
8 2847.72 307.21 874.84 2847.72 343.79 979.00 104.17 0.48 2847.72 551.34 1570.07 591.07 2.72
Valley
9 Lower Subansiri 2387.30 379.73 906.53 2684.07 380.99 1022.61 116.08 0.54 2684.07 463.95 1245.28 222.67 1.03
10 Papum Pare 2563.85 401.62 1029.69 2539.60 466.49 1184.70 155.01 0.72 2539.60 540.60 1372.90 188.20 0.87
11 Tawang 861.38 475.34 409.45 861.38 330.61 284.78 -124.67 -0.58 861.38 464.18 399.84 115.06 0.53
12 Tirap 1547.12 443.47 686.10 1324.95 584.32 774.20 88.10 0.41 1324.95 557.01 738.01 -36.19 -0.17
13 Upper Siang 4584.59 332.58 1524.74 4545.08 358.51 1629.44 104.70 0.48 4545.08 432.14 1964.11 334.67 1.54
14 Upper Subansiri 5431.65 372.85 2025.17 5431.65 342.42 1859.91 -165.26 -0.76 5431.65 450.94 2449.36 589.45 2.72
15 West Kameng 5584.19 390.76 2182.05 5584.19 321.10 1793.07 -388.99 -1.80 5584.19 477.00 2663.64 870.58 4.01
16 West Siang 6247.72 338.47 2114.66 6247.72 349.66 2184.60 69.94 0.32 6247.72 474.87 2966.83 782.23 3.60
Total 60213.44 359.02 21618.04 59909.03 362.38 21709.68 91.64 59909.03 477.37 28598.93 6889.25
83
5.7 Sectorwise banchmark from the state average
The resources which requires water as consumption and future demand of each districts was
summarized with state average. The standards scores of each consumer sectors was
calculated from the state average value. All the districts have assigned the standards score for
each resource variables. These water consumers further dived into five groups:
1) Land and population: In this group district wise population, rural population, total
district area and agriculture area was compared with state average.
2) Domestic and livestock: In this group district wise house cover with pipe connection,
population covered with drinking water, ground water availability for domestic uses
and total number of livestock were considered.
3) Agriculture sector: This groups data was summarised with net sown area, total
agriculture area, rain fed area, horticulture area and production of agriculture.
4) Irrigation status: All districts was scored with respect to state average in the various
component of irrigation supports like Surface irrigation, Groundwater irrigation, Net
irrigated area, Canal irrigated area, Pond irrigated area, Net groundwater availability
for irrigation and Gross irrigated area.
5) Medical and Educational sector: Four parameters was evaluated consideting the water
accounting for this sector. These four parameters was total number of medical
institution, numbers of beds, Total numbers of Educational institutes and numbers of
students.
These are demand sides variables which contributes the regional variation of resource
distribution, utilization, current demands and supply.
84
Figure 5-4: Benchmarking land and population
Figure 5-5: Benchmarking Domestic and Livestock
85
Figure 5-6: Benchmarking Agriculture sector
Figure 5-7: Benchmarking Irrigation sector
86
Figure 5-8: Benchmarking of Institutional sectors
87
Sectoral Water Budget: Potential created and utilized
6 Sectoral Water Budget: Potential created and utilized
6.1 Present Water demand
The present water demand corresponds to total water delivered to a sector for specific use.
There are not many big water consuming industries in many districts, while the total water
allocated or delivered to industries sums up to 1.07 MCM. While the largest industrial
demand is in East Siang district, it is very less compared to the water demand in other sectors.
In health sector and education sector the demand is 1.53 and 7.13 MCM respectively.
Table 6-1 Present water demand of various sector

District Industries Medical Education Livestock Domestic Agriculture Forestry
Anjaw 0.14 0.66 0.04 0.11 556.29 1355.40
Changlang 0.02 0.07 0.51 1.18 7.97 1815.94 1371.51
Dibang Valley 0.07 0.03 0.16 0.38 248.88 941.66
East Kameng 0.08 0.39 1.65 4.63 792.34 1264.54
East Siang 0.57 0.12 0.58 1.41 4.20 1285.34 1394.38
Kurung Kumey 0.09 0.42 2.56 7.11 753.33 1966.04
Lohit 0.33 0.14 0.67 2.34 7.16 2542.59 872.76
Lower Dibang Valley 0.03 0.09 0.26 1.29 2.54 2257.16 979.00
Lower Subansiri 0.09 0.48 2.28 3.53 825.9 1022.61
Pampum Pare 0.20 1.15 3.61 9.79 908.58 1184.70
Tawang 0.12 0.03 0.17 0.97 2.57 272.53 284.78
Tirap 0.0015 0.10 0.09 0.44 4.50 1122.24 774.20
Upper Siang 0.04 0.20 2.14 1.86 567.24 1629.44
Upper Subansiri 0.06 0.50 0.87 3.23 444.34 1859.91
West Kameng 0.08 0.37 0.63 4.03 471.46 1793.07
West Siang 0.13 0.65 1.83 4.23 1390.58 2184.60
Total 1.07 1.53 7.13 23.41 67.84 16254.75 21709.68
The water demand is obtained from water resource department documents, and is calculated
based on no. of beds in different medical institutions. There educational facilities in
Arunachal lacks at level of universities, and existing water demand is calculated based on per
student per year. Agriculture and forest has demands 16254.75 and 21709.68 MCM
respectively, as more than 60% of state is covered in forest. The highest demand in
agriculture is posed by Lower Dibang valley and Lohit district. The column graph shows a
steady pattern of water demand across the sectors, while in every district, livestock demand is
highest next to forest and agricultures, In Anjaw district, third highest demand is in sector of
education instead of livestock.
88
Figure 6-1: Present water demand (in MCM)

6.2 Exiting Potential
Existing water potential here refers to the amount of maximum water which can be tapped for
particular use or consumption by creating or already existing infrastructures. For example,
districts where few industrial setup is already there, it can harness up to 5.49 MCM of water,
while in section 6.1 if you may see, the total present demand is only 1.07 MCM. But that is
not the case with agriculture, as the present demand is much higher than the existing
potential.
Table 6-2 Existing potential of various sector

District Industry Livestock Domestic Agriculture
Anjaw 4.27 0.03 0.11 75.56
Changlang 0.03 1.04 7.97 240.34
Dibang Valley 0.16 0.38 39.07
East Kameng 1.65 4.63 115.77
East Siang 0.62 0.31 4.20 526.62
Kurung Kumey 2.56 7.11 241.38
Lohit 0.38 2.18 7.16 418.96
Lower Dibang Valley 0.06 1.00 2.54 218.07
Lower Subansiri 1.85 3.53 422.49
Pampum Pare 2.40 9.79 339.23
Tawang 0.13 0.97 2.57 73.67
Tirap 0.0015 0.44 4.50 84.42
Upper Siang 2.14 1.86 121.89
Upper Subansiri 0.86 3.23 205.17
West Kameng 0.63 4.03 154.59
West Siang 1.56 4.23 420.78
Total 5.49 19.78 67.84 3697.99
89
Figure 6-2: Existing potential in various sectors (in MCM)
3000
Existing Potential Existing Demand
2000
1000
Lower…
0
East Siang
Tirap
West Kameng
Dibang Valley
Tawang
East Kameng
Anjaw
Upper Subansiri
Lohit
Changlang
West Siang
Pampum Pare
Lower Subansiri
Kurung Kumey
Upper Siang
Figure 6-3: Differences between existing potential and current demand (in MCM)
The graph above shows the difference between existing potential and current demand in
Agriculture sector. The largest gap is found in Lohit, Lower Dibang Valley, Changlang and
Tirap. This gives a possibility of more infrastructures development and technological
innovations in agriculture.
6.3 Future demand
The future scenarios can only be predicted. It is difficult to trace exact patterns of growth in
different sectors, but based on historical datasets the future possibilities are explored. While
calculating future water demand for livestock, previous livestock census is studied for growth
rate, and that factor is then used to calculate future possible growth statistics, assuming
90
business as usual scenario. For agriculture sector, Major medium irrigation plans under
proposal are considered to get the value of agricultural expansion, also, crops which are
currently sown, their water requirement is known and multiplied times its expected growth.
For forest it was assumed that no forest degradation and deforestation activities in future.
Table 6-3 Existing potential of various sector

District Industries Medical Education Livestock Domestic Agriculture Forestry
Anjaw 0 0.08 0.22 660.01 2064.82
Changlang 0.02 1.04 8.55 1968.82 1857.75
Dibang Valley 0.19 0.42 515.96 2158.26
East Kameng 1.9 5.38 864.62 1628.57
East Siang 0.57 1.72 4.49 1541.7 1593.84
Kurung Kumey 3.07 9.69 878.09 2377.34
Lohit 0.33 NA NA 3.09 7.76 4085.36 1130.36
Lower Dibang Valley 0.03 1.39 2.73 2341.64 1570.07
Lower Subansiri 3.28 4.48 888.59 1245.28
Pampum Pare 6.76 12.18 929.11 1372.9
Tawang 0.12 1.05 2.97 504.64 399.84
Tirap 0.0015 0.49 4.65 1171.34 738.01
Upper Siang 3.64 1.9 664.43 1964.11
Upper Subansiri 0.95 4.14 682.82 2449.36
West Kameng 0.65 4.11 793.95 2663.64
West Siang 2.23 4.41 1582.67 2966.83
Total 1.03 31.53 78.08 20073.76 28598.93
Figure 6-4: Future demand in various sectors (in MCM)
91
6.4 Potential to be Created
The potential to be created is simply a difference between existing water demand and future
water demand in respective sectors. The graph shown above reflects upon the gaps in existing
resources and future requirement which needs infrastructure development, technological
advancement to wisely tap natural water for fulfilling future requirements. For domestic,
industries and livestock, the water requirement will rise with population and development
growth, and piped connections availability, freshwater availability, rainwater harvesting,
water pollution treatment plants etc can be addressed to fill the potential gap. While for
forest, with changing climate and altering rainfall pattern, it is crucial to have studies on
environmental flow, and optimum flow in streams so as to support forest ecosystems. West
Siang, Changlang, Lower Dibang Valley and Lohit district needs more attention for covering
the largest gap in agriculture sector. While in domestic it is Upper Subansiri, Lower Subansiri
and Papum Pare districts which shows highest gap and insecurity of water demand fulfilment
of future.
Table 6-4 Potential to be created of various sector

District Industries Medical Education Livestock Domestic Agriculture
Anjaw 4.27 0.05 0.11 584.46
Changlang 0.01 0.01 0.58 1728.49
Dibang Valley 0.03 0.04 476.89
East Kameng 0.25 0.75 748.85
East Siang 0.05 1.41 0.29 1015.08
Kurung Kumey 0.51 2.58 636.71
Lohit 0.06 0.91 0.60 3666.40
Lower Dibang Valley 0.03 0.39 0.19 2123.57
Lower Subansiri 1.43 0.95 466.10
Pampum Pare 4.36 2.39 589.88
Tawang 0.02 0.08 0.40 430.97
Tirap 0.0001 0.05 0.15 1086.92
Upper Siang 1.50 0.04 542.54
Upper Subansiri 0.09 0.91 477.65
West Kameng 0.02 0.08 639.36
West Siang 0.67 0.18 1161.89
Total 4.46 11.75 10.24 16375.77
92
Figure 6-5: Future potential to be created in various sectors (in MCM)
93
Table 6-5 Sectoral wise water status of Arunachal
Lower
Dibang East East Kurung Lower Pampum Upper Upper West West
District Anjaw Changlang Lohit Dibang Tawang Tirap Total
Valley Kameng Siang Kumey Subans Pare Siang Subans Kameng Siang
Valley
Present
10982.67 10237.11 27968.77 9246.95 14046.25 23038.09 10207.98 10685.38 9368.93 8948.70 3457.98 5046.01 20909.93 21980.00 12244.17 23981.20 218652.97
Availability
availability
Future
19729.33 15570.80 31292.37 10837.98 9966.17 18459.64 8083.21 13078.37 12297.96 7789.08 6766.51 5659.89 18612.80 20903.26 19326.53 28498.70 246872.61
availability
Present
556.29 1815.94 248.88 792.34 1285.34 753.33 2542.59 2257.16 825.9 908.58 272.53 1122.24 567.24 444.34 471.46 1390.58 16254.75
demand
Agriculture
Existing
75.56 240.34 39.07 115.77 526.62 241.38 418.96 218.07 422.49 339.23 73.67 84.42 121.89 205.17 154.59 420.78 3697.99
Potential
Future
660.01 1968.82 515.96 864.62 1541.7 878.09 4085.36 2341.64 888.59 929.11 504.64 1171.34 664.43 682.82 793.95 1582.67 20073.76
Demand
Potential to
584.46 1728.49 476.89 748.85 1015.08 636.71 3666.4 2123.57 466.1 589.88 430.97 1086.92 542.54 477.65 639.36 1161.89 16375.77
be Created
Present
0.11 7.97 0.38 4.63 4.2 7.11 7.16 2.54 3.53 9.79 2.57 4.5 1.86 3.23 4.03 4.23 67.84
demand
Existing
Domestic
0.11 7.97 0.38 4.63 4.2 7.11 7.16 2.54 3.53 9.79 2.57 4.5 1.86 3.23 4.03 4.23 67.84
Potential
Future
0.22 8.55 0.42 5.38 4.49 9.69 7.76 2.73 4.48 12.18 2.97 4.65 1.9 4.14 4.11 4.41 78.08
Demand
Potential to
0.11 0.58 0.04 0.75 0.29 2.58 0.6 0.19 0.95 2.39 0.4 0.15 0.04 0.91 0.08 0.18 10.24
be Created
Present
0.04 1.18 0.16 1.65 1.41 2.56 2.34 1.29 2.28 3.61 0.97 0.44 2.14 0.87 0.63 1.83 23.41
demand
Existing
Livestock
0.03 1.04 0.16 1.65 0.31 2.56 2.18 1 1.85 2.4 0.97 0.44 2.14 0.86 0.63 1.56 19.78
Potential
Future
0.08 1.04 0.19 1.9 1.72 3.07 3.09 1.39 3.28 6.76 1.05 0.49 3.64 0.95 0.65 2.23 31.53
Demand
Potential to
0.05 0 0.03 0.25 1.41 0.51 0.91 0.39 1.43 4.36 0.08 0.05 1.5 0.09 0.02 0.67 11.75
be Created
Present
0.02 0.57 0.33 0.03 0.12 0.0015 1.07
demand
Existing
Industries
4.27 0.03 0.62 0.38 0.06 0.13 0.0015 5.49

Potential
Future
0 0.02 0.57 0.33 0.03 0.12 0.0015 1.03
Demand
Potential to
4.27 0.01 0.05 0.06 0.03 0.02 0.0001 4.46
be Created
94
Lower
Dibang East East Kurung Lower Pampum Upper Upper West West
District Anjaw Changlang Lohit Dibang Tawang Tirap Total
Valley Kameng Siang Kumey Subans Pare Siang Subans Kameng Siang
Valley
Present
0.14 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.12 0.09 0.14 0.09 0.09 0.2 0.03 0.1 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.13 1.53
demand
Existing
Medical
Potential
Future
Demand
Potential to
be Created
Present
0.66 0.51 0.03 0.39 0.58 0.42 0.67 0.26 0.48 1.15 0.17 0.09 0.2 0.5 0.37 0.65 7.13
demand
Existing
Education
Potential
Future
Demand
Potential to
be Created
Present
1355.4 1371.51 941.66 1264.54 1394.38 1966.04 872.76 979 1022.61 1184.7 284.78 774.2 1629.44 1859.91 1793.07 2184.6 21709.68
Uses
Existing
Forestry
potential
Future Uses 2064.82 1857.75 2158.26 1628.57 1593.84 2377.34 1130.36 1570.07 1245.28 1372.9 399.84 738.01 1964.11 2449.36 2663.64 2966.83 28598.93
Potential to
be created
95
Climate Change and future
7 Climate Change and future
The objective of producing high-resolution datasets that allow for generating quality
information on the changes in the climate in high altitudinal reaches of the study areas. TERI
has generated scenario information for selected 4.5 RCP and assessed the changes in the near
future climate. The dynamic downscaling of climate data is being carried out for two time
periods, one in the past and the other for a future time period, 1996-2005 and 2020-2029
respectively. Ten years baseline (1996-2005) of control simulations and 10 years of future
simulations (2020-2029) of future simulation has been completed using CCSM4. The
Community Climate System Model (CCSM) version 4 is a coupled climate model for
simulating the earth's climate system (http://www.cesm.ucar.edu/models/ccsm4.0/) with
initial and boundary conditions. The Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) has
been used for the dynamic downscaling of climate projections from CCSM4. The
advantages of the WRF model over other RCMs (Regional Climate Model) is its
portability to different computing architectures, efficient use of large parameter space
(such as different cumulus schemes, micro-physics schemes, radiation schemes,
planetary boundary layer schemes etc.), it was found that there are 10224 combinations
of WRF that can be used for both climate and weather research.
Figure 7-1: Temperature Difference (in °C) and Precipitation differences (in%) from
baseline (1996-2005) to future simulations (2020-2029)
96
Model scenarios have been generated over the South Asian region with 30km resolution
(like CORDEX domain) to understand the near future climate change (rainfall,
temperature changes etc.). The horizontal resolution is much finer than the CORDEX
simulations.
Figure 7-2: Future Precipitation differences (in %) from baseline (1996-2005)
Figure 7-3: Future Temperature increase (in °C) baseline (1996-2005)
97
Further basic variables (Rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature, wind speed humidity
and solar radiation) have extracted from the future scenario to provide input into the
hydrological model SWAT to estimate the future surface water changes with respect to
climate change.
The % of runoff calculated in two scenario, First land practice change: change in land
practices during 2005 and 2012 to see the impact of land practices over the runoff and second
Climate parameters change: the change of future climatic parameters extracted from
climate model over 2012 land practices to see the change of runoff due to climate change.
Table 7-1 Change of runoff in Catchment due to land practices and climate change
% of Runoff
ID Code Catchment Change in Climate
2005 2012 2030
Land Practice Change
1 3A2C Dhansiri River 6.33 1.84 -4.48 4.92 3.07
2 3A2D Twang Chu 26.97 20.38 -6.60 35.18 14.81
3 3A3A Bhareli River 3.57 3.04 -0.53 2.05 -0.99
4 3A3B Bishom River 6.59 1.97 -4.62 5.64 3.67
5 3A3C Kameng River 10.54 5.78 -4.76 14.80 9.02
6 3A3D Brahmaputra River 21.03 25.05 4.01 0.90 -24.15
7 3A3E Disang River 15.38 28.28 12.90 29.25 0.97
8 3A4A Dikrang (Subansiri) River 4.20 5.35 1.16 6.69 1.34
9 3A4B R B Subansiri River 9.65 9.28 -0.37 9.36 0.08
10 3A4C L B Subansiri River 10.78 12.18 1.40 7.34 -4.84
11 3A5A Brahmaputra River 26.28 26.51 0.23 18.09 -8.42
12 3A5B Dihang River 23.65 30.17 6.51 29.95 -0.22
13 3A5C Siang River 34.58 35.74 1.16 33.67 -2.07
14 3A5D Siyom River 11.01 12.53 1.52 8.84 -3.69
15 3A5F Tirap River 9.14 10.28 1.15 14.95 4.67
16 3D4A Lohit River 18.98 16.35 -2.63 15.74 -0.61
17 3D4B Tellu / Lohit River 37.72 26.53 -11.19 34.26 7.74
18 3D4C Lower Dibang River 45.88 50.34 4.46 48.62 -1.72
19 3D4D Upper Dibang River 59.52 69.98 10.46 55.72 -14.26
Over All 20.10 20.61 0.51 19.79 -0.82
Runoff of Brahmaputra, Upper Dibang and L B Subansari river catchment will decreased due
to climate change while Lohit, Twang chu, Kameng, Dhansiri and Bishom River decreased
their runoff due to land practices. Runoff will increased due to climate change in the
catchment of Twang chu, Kemeng Bishom and Dhansiri rivers.
98
Table 7-2 Change of runoff in districts due to land practices and climate change
% of Runoff
Code Districts Change in Land Climate
2005 2012 2030
Practice Change
1 Anjaw 41.89 29.41 -12.48 37.11 7.69
2 Changlang 17.68 12.77 -4.90 15.53 2.76
3 Dibang Valley 53.10 60.07 6.97 52.28 -7.79
4 East Kameng 9.45 5.37 -4.09 13.37 8.00
5 East Siang 28.62 29.13 0.52 25.53 -3.61
6 Kurung Kumey 11.06 10.45 -0.61 11.08 0.62
7 Lohit 19.51 18.78 -0.72 15.82 -2.97
8 Lower Dibang Valley 31.96 36.96 5.00 40.14 3.18
9 Lower Subansiri 4.46 5.27 0.80 6.39 1.12
10 Papum Pare 3.67 4.95 1.28 5.41 0.46
11 Tawang 26.97 20.38 -6.60 35.18 14.81
12 Tirap 12.35 23.28 10.93 23.90 0.62
13 Upper Siang 32.63 36.03 3.40 34.10 -1.93
14 Upper Subansiri 12.50 14.50 2.00 8.24 -6.26
15 West Kameng 6.39 2.14 -4.25 5.15 3.01
16 West Siang 7.67 8.48 0.80 6.97 -1.51
Over All 19.99 19.87 -0.12 21.01 1.14
Similar to catchment runoff of various districts was affected by land practices. Low runoff
due to change in practices observed in Anjaw, Changlang, East and west Kameng and
Tawang districts where as due to climate change low runoff was observed in Dibang valley
and Upper Subansiri. High runoff due to climate change was observed in Tawang, Anjaw,
East and west Kemang districts.
7.1 Impact of Land Practices
Two time land use and land cover practices 2005 and 2012 was simulated under present
climatic condition (1985-2014). The annual water balance under 2005 land practice and 2012
land practices was calculated. It was observed that over all water volume increased by
11389.05 MCM. The effect of land practices not uniformly increased the water volume in all
districts and catchments. Water volume decreased in Lohit, Tawang chu, Bishom, Kameng,
Dhansiri and Bhareli catchements. Similarly Anjaw, Changlang, East and West Kameng and
Tawang district associated with above catchment decreased annual water volume due to land
practices change between two years 2005 and 2012. This need to formulated with best and
optimum land practices to control the water balance as per the state requirement and its
association with neighbouring state.
99
Table 7-3 Water balance difference due to Land practices in the catchments
Precipitation (in mm) Snow melt (in mm) Water Yield (in mm) Volume (in MCM)
ID Catchment
2005 2012 Change 2005 2012 Change 2005 2012 Change 2005 2012 Change
1 Dhansiri River 3464.70 2189.90 -1274.80 60.10 0.00 -60.10 3081.97 1892.94 -1189.03 2809.93 1725.85 -1084.08
2 Twang Chu 2955.08 1931.10 -1023.97 248.45 186.68 -61.77 2456.22 1592.07 -864.14 5757.93 3732.18 -2025.75
3 Bhareli River 3061.50 2701.74 -359.76 30.29 0.00 -30.29 2673.27 2337.81 -335.46 6192.44 5415.38 -777.06
4 Bishom River 3616.08 1890.93 -1725.14 70.48 80.67 10.19 3191.08 1573.07 -1618.01 11139.53 5491.32 -5648.21
5 Kameng River 3376.27 2483.86 -892.41 148.64 8.37 -140.27 2966.25 2133.19 -833.06 11946.74 8591.54 -3355.20
6 Brahmaputra River 2451.13 3194.1 742.98 0.00 0.00 0.00 1122.71 2786.09 1663.38 678.97 1684.91 1005.94
7 Disang River 2402.02 3242.66 840.64 135.78 0.00 -135.78 1956.87 2622.06 665.20 2648.32 3548.57 900.25
Dikrang (Subansiri)
8 2936.56 3804.78 868.22 11.64 0.31 -11.33 2526.50 3316.07 789.57 11344.15 14889.36 3545.21
River
9 R B Subansiri River 3147.38 3491.24 343.86 123.57 4.70 -118.86 2781.77 3138.56 356.79 23020.56 25973.14 2952.58
10 L B Subansiri River 2897.86 3442.03 544.18 115.57 113.19 -2.38 2529.95 3083.29 553.33 18411.54 22438.36 4026.82
11 Brahmaputra River 3150.00 3287.63 137.63 81.89 0.00 -81.89 2840.35 2860.63 20.28 6520.87 6567.44 46.57
12 Dihang River 2778.71 3377.39 598.68 115.35 52.24 -63.11 2466.09 2945.54 479.45 9662.66 11541.24 1878.59
13 Siang River 3004.82 3852.02 847.20 437.21 233.33 -203.87 2654.95 3419.34 764.39 16135.11 20780.59 4645.48
14 Siyom River 3003.75 3611.66 607.91 228.82 282.28 53.45 2644.74 3226.16 581.42 15601.69 19031.56 3429.88
15 Tirap River 2629.18 3030.01 400.83 143.36 0.00 -143.36 2214.61 2415.94 201.32 4368.08 4765.17 397.09
16 Lohit River 2504.84 2446.98 -57.86 462.69 9.42 -453.27 2175.84 2109.28 -66.56 13659.08 13241.22 -417.86
17 Tellu / Lohit River 2432.27 2070.26 -362.01 740.81 24.26 -716.55 2144.43 1707.37 -437.06 20335.84 16191.16 -4144.68
18 Lower Dibang River 2527.41 3083.54 556.13 860.32 648.66 -211.66 2245.04 2799.95 554.92 19049.97 23758.64 4708.67
19 Upper Dibang River 2487.38 3836.89 1349.51 886.70 1337.03 450.32 2209.22 3628.83 1419.61 9371.72 15393.83 6022.11
Total 207263.93 218652.97 11389.05
100
Table 7-4 Water balance difference due to Land practices in the districts
Precipitation (in mm) Snow melt (in mm) Water Yield (in mm) Total water availability (in MCM)
ID District
1 Anjaw 2419.87 1939.06 -480.80 815.36 29.89 -785.48 2134.20 1573.00 -561.20 14900.95 10982.67 -3918.28
2 Changlang 2507.66 2383.56 -124.11 489.66 7.48 -482.18 2172.71 2019.55 -153.16 11013.48 10237.11 -776.37
3 Dibang Valley 2518.49 3362.17 843.68 974.10 998.60 24.50 2244.11 3121.86 877.75 20104.98 27968.77 7863.80
4 East Kameng 3289.55 2592.03 -697.52 136.88 7.28 -129.61 2884.37 2236.80 -647.56 11923.97 9246.95 -2677.02
5 East Siang 3050.95 3440.54 389.60 167.84 7.71 -160.13 2737.90 2996.85 258.95 12832.55 14046.25 1213.70
6 Kurung Kumey 3242.30 3584.56 342.26 148.52 6.10 -142.42 2871.24 3226.17 354.93 20503.53 23038.09 2534.56
7 Lohit 2525.28 2669.02 143.74 386.25 6.39 -379.86 2210.89 2309.50 98.61 9772.13 10207.98 435.85
8 Lower Dibang Valley 2541.69 2988.32 446.62 405.51 133.48 -272.03 2234.98 2625.40 390.42 9096.37 10685.38 1589.01
9 Lower Subansiri 2955.61 3524.34 568.73 28.66 0.00 -28.66 2579.40 3129.24 549.83 7722.73 9368.93 1646.20
10 Papum Pare 2765.90 3598.79 832.89 11.82 0.56 -11.27 2364.89 3112.59 747.70 6799.06 8948.70 2149.64
11 Tawang 2955.08 1931.10 -1023.97 248.45 186.68 -61.77 2456.22 1592.07 -864.14 5334.90 3457.98 -1876.92
12 Tirap 2437.36 3195.61 758.26 96.99 0.00 -96.99 1977.60 2581.08 603.47 3866.22 5046.01 1179.79
13 Upper Siang 2918.96 3806.24 887.28 383.61 244.41 -139.19 2567.00 3379.11 812.11 15884.57 20909.93 5025.36
14 Upper Subansiri 2899.88 3482.35 582.48 127.33 125.55 -1.78 2529.77 3125.71 595.94 17789.33 21980.00 4190.67
15 West Kameng 3553.25 1972.26 -1580.98 58.30 61.47 3.16 3135.08 1649.71 -1485.37 23268.58 12244.17 -11024.41
16 West Siang 2975.00 3523.80 548.80 211.79 262.91 51.12 2623.71 3137.67 513.96 20053.04 23981.20 3928.16
Total 207263.93 218652.97 11389.05
101
7.2 Imapct of climate change
To calculate the impact of future climate on water balance of the area, the future climate
parameter was simulated over present land use practices and the water balance for the year
2030 was calculated in SWAT. The input of all climatic parameters was obtained from RCM
model under RCP 4.7scenario.
Figure 7-4: Precipitation and water yield during 2012 and 2030
It is observed that overall 22217.37 MCM water volumes will increase due to change in
climatic variables. Some catchment and associated districts will also produce low water
volume compared to present climatic condition. The water volume will decreased in future in
the catchment of - Bhareli river, Brahmaputra river, R B Subansiri river, Dihang river, Siang
river and upper Dihang associated with following districts- East siang, Kurung Kumey, Lohit,
Papum pare, Upper Siang and Upper Subansiri.
The change in volume either increases or decreases situation requires a better land practices
measures to mitigate future climatic condition of water resources.
102
Figure 7-5: ET and Snow melt during 2012 and 2030
103
Table 7-5 Water balance difference due to Climate Change in the catchments
Precipitation (in mm) Snow melt (in mm) Water Yield (in mm) Volume (in MCM)
ID Name
1 Dhansiri River 2189.90 3287.75 1097.85 0.00 0.00 0.00 1892.94 2880.19 987.25 1725.85 2625.85 899.99
2 Twang Chu 1931.10 3568.70 1637.59 186.68 297.04 110.36 1592.07 3115.33 1523.26 3732.18 7303.13 3570.95
3 Bhareli River 2701.74 2192.99 -508.76 0.00 0.00 0.00 2337.81 1697.46 -640.36 5415.38 4269.58 -1145.79
4 Bishom River 1890.93 3369.38 1478.44 80.67 170.67 89.99 1573.07 2912.61 1339.54 5491.32 9906.13 4414.81
5 Kameng River 2483.86 3103.10 619.24 8.37 164.19 155.82 2133.19 2680.86 547.68 8591.54 11097.32 2505.78
6 Brahmaputra River 3194.1 1597.90 -1596.20 0 0.00 0.00 2786.09 1145.33 -1640.75 1684.91 616.67 -1068.24
7 Disang River 3242.66 3287.50 44.84 0.00 0.00 0.00 2622.06 2731.87 109.81 3548.57 3509.29 -39.28
8 Dikrang (Subansiri) River 3804.78 3971.43 166.64 0.31 6.30 5.99 3316.07 3416.03 99.95 14889.36 14842.63 -46.73
9 R B Subansiri River 3491.24 3318.10 -173.14 4.70 79.90 75.20 3138.56 2902.26 -236.30 25973.14 24793.32 -1179.82
10 L B Subansiri River 3442.03 3463.61 21.58 113.19 54.64 -58.55 3083.29 3010.71 -72.58 22438.36 23488.73 1050.37
11 Brahmaputra River 3287.63 2743.73 -543.90 0.00 0.00 0.00 2860.63 2271.93 -588.71 6567.44 4833.82 -1733.63
12 Dihang River 3377.39 3014.70 -362.68 52.24 0.00 -52.24 2945.54 2518.88 -426.66 11541.24 9553.88 -1987.36
13 Siang River 3852.02 3353.46 -498.56 233.33 14.95 -218.39 3419.34 2881.79 -537.56 20780.59 16877.26 -3903.32
14 Siyom River 3611.66 4174.81 563.14 282.28 95.11 -187.17 3226.16 3697.44 471.28 19031.56 24478.68 5447.12
15 Tirap River 3030.01 4593.30 1563.29 0.00 0.00 0.00 2415.94 3988.05 1572.12 4765.17 7444.00 2678.83
16 Lohit River 2446.98 2902.23 455.24 9.42 0.00 -9.42 2109.28 2444.90 335.62 13241.22 15952.63 2711.41
17 Tellu / Lohit River 2070.26 3145.98 1075.73 24.26 85.47 61.21 1707.37 2672.79 965.42 16191.16 24474.74 8283.58
18 Lower Dibang River 3083.54 4067.55 984.01 648.66 175.79 -472.87 2799.95 3539.13 739.18 23758.64 27758.18 3999.54
19 Upper Dibang River 3836.89 3596.28 -240.61 1337.03 230.26 -1106.77 3628.83 3091.26 -537.57 15393.83 12765.51 -2628.31
Total 218652.97 240870.35 22217.37
104
Table 7-6 Water balance difference due to Climate Change in the districts
Precipitation (in mm) Snow melt (in mm) Water Yeild (in mm) Total water availability (in MCM)
ID District
1 Anjaw 1939.06 3302.17 1363.11 29.89 105.29 75.40 1573.00 2825.74 1252.74 10982.67 19729.33 8746.66
2 Changlang 2383.56 3557.23 1173.67 7.48 0.00 -7.48 2019.55 3071.77 1052.22 10237.11 15570.80 5333.70
3 Dibang Valley 3362.17 4007.71 645.54 998.60 221.79 -776.82 3121.86 3492.84 370.98 27968.77 31292.37 3323.60
4 East Kameng 2592.03 3053.77 461.73 7.28 142.77 135.49 2236.80 2621.67 384.87 9246.95 10837.98 1591.04
5 East Siang 3440.54 2626.48 -814.07 7.71 0.00 -7.71 2996.85 2126.34 -870.51 14046.25 9966.17 -4080.07
6 Kurung Kumey 3584.56 3004.32 -580.25 6.10 103.65 97.55 3226.17 2585.02 -641.15 23038.09 18459.64 -4578.44
7 Lohit 2669.02 2274.20 -394.81 6.39 0.00 -6.39 2309.50 1828.78 -480.72 10207.98 8083.21 -2124.77
8 Lower Dibang Valley 2988.32 3776.12 787.81 133.48 57.34 -76.15 2625.40 3213.36 587.96 10685.38 13078.37 2392.99
9 Lower Subansiri 3524.34 4578.82 1054.47 0.00 0.00 0.00 3129.24 4107.53 978.30 9368.93 12297.96 2929.03
10 Papum Pare 3598.79 3248.13 -350.66 0.56 11.20 10.64 3112.59 2709.24 -403.35 8948.70 7789.08 -1159.62
11 Tawang 1931.10 3568.70 1637.59 186.68 297.04 110.36 1592.07 3115.33 1523.26 3457.98 6766.51 3308.53
12 Tirap 3195.61 3457.30 261.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 2581.08 2895.09 314.01 5046.01 5659.89 613.89
13 Upper Siang 3806.24 3473.09 -333.15 244.41 19.19 -225.22 3379.11 3007.89 -371.22 20909.93 18612.80 -2297.13
14 Upper Subansiri 3482.35 3424.49 -57.86 125.55 58.60 -66.95 3125.71 2972.59 -153.12 21980.00 20903.26 -1076.74
15 West Kameng 1972.26 3065.43 1093.16 61.47 130.03 68.57 1649.71 2603.95 954.24 12244.17 19326.53 7082.36
16 West Siang 3523.80 4204.19 680.39 262.91 87.35 -175.56 3137.67 3728.73 591.06 23981.20 28498.70 4517.50
Total 218652.97 240870.36 22217.39
105
7.3 Benchmark from the state climate change
The detailed table for existing resources (Agriculture, forest and snow / glacier), present and
future climate based water budget was contracted for each district and catchment. Further a
standard scores was calculated from model outputs giving values for future as well as current
climatic conditions of each catchment and district to benchmark from the state condition. For
this analysis, the landuse is not changed, and only climatic parameters are used as a variable.
To know present situation of climate, historic climatic parameters from IMD is used to run
model. The values obtained across different sub-catchments shows amount of precipitation,
snowmelt, Evapotranspiration and water yield. If looked carefully, it is observed that the
largest catchment Lohit with high forest and agricultural landuse, shows least present
precipitation and water yield. The Disang river catchment shows decrease ET in future.
While Tirap river catchment shows increased precipitation, while there is very little change in
ET. It is interesting to note that catchments with highest forest area shows high future present
and future water yield irrespective of precipitation. In fact the largest catchment shows least
present precipitation in current scenario.
Figure 7-6: Resources and water balance benchmark of each catchment from the state
106
Figure 7-7: Resources and water balance benchmark of each district from the state
107
Table 7-7 Resources and Water balances of each catchments

Water balance present 2012 (in mm) Water balance future 2030 (in mm)
Catchment Catchment Snow
Forest Agriculture Snow Water Volume Snow Water Volume
Name area /Glacial Precipitation ET Precipitation ET
Melt Yield (MCM) Melt Yield (MCM)
Dhansiri River 911.69 852.34 10.56 0.00 2189.90 0.00 296.52 1892.94 1725.85 3287.75 0.00 415.26 2880.19 2625.85
Twang Chu 2344.25 1020.07 13.66 548.17 1931.10 186.68 330.61 1592.07 3732.18 3568.70 297.04 464.18 3115.33 7303.13
Bhareli River 2515.29 2380.63 48.28 0.00 2701.74 0.00 355.32 2337.81 5415.38 2192.99 0.00 492.61 1697.46 4269.58
Bishom River 3401.12 1664.36 87.20 190.65 1890.93 80.67 317.29 1573.07 5491.32 3369.38 170.67 476.78 2912.61 9906.13
Kameng River 4139.45 3715.82 141.88 102.14 2483.86 8.37 349.06 2133.19 8591.54 3103.10 164.19 447.75 2680.86 11097.32
Brahmaputra
538.42 491.51 31.24 0.00 3194.1 0 390.32825 2786.09 1684.91 1597.90 0.00 450.30 1145.33 616.67
River
Disang River 1284.57 842.99 390.77 9.50 3242.66 0.00 590.47 2622.06 3548.57 3287.50 0.00 552.49 2731.87 3509.29
Dikrang
(Subansiri) 4345.00 3848.43 254.27 4.21 3804.78 0.31 469.11 3316.07 14889.36 3971.43 6.30 553.89 3416.03 14842.63
River
R B Subansiri
8542.78 6911.38 151.68 496.29 3491.24 4.70 343.63 3138.56 25973.14 3318.10 79.90 416.78 2902.26 24793.32
River
L B Subansiri
7801.73 6150.51 181.24 584.56 3442.03 113.19 344.55 3083.29 22438.36 3463.61 54.64 450.57 3010.71 23488.73
River
Brahmaputra
2127.63 1818.92 196.17 0.02 3287.63 0.00 399.04 2860.63 6567.44 2743.73 0.00 446.15 2271.93 4833.82
River
Dihang River 3792.90 2913.00 268.98 22.05 3377.39 52.24 398.84 2945.54 11541.24 3014.70 0.00 468.05 2518.88 9553.88
Siang River 5856.52 4595.46 138.91 626.28 3852.02 233.33 358.45 3419.34 20780.59 3353.46 14.95 432.98 2881.79 16877.26
Siyom River 6620.44 4572.15 133.19 996.50 3611.66 282.28 348.43 3226.16 19031.56 4174.81 95.11 478.77 3697.44 24478.68
Tirap River 1866.58 1421.25 398.29 7.99 3030.01 0.00 584.85 2415.94 4765.17 4593.30 0.00 595.56 3988.05 7444.00
Lohit River 6524.85 4809.49 1069.61 48.95 2446.98 9.42 313.85 2109.28 13241.22 2902.23 0.00 435.00 2444.90 15952.63
Tellu / Lohit
9157.00 5762.14 584.97 1089.13 2070.26 24.26 311.63 1707.37 16191.16 3145.98 85.47 465.22 2672.79 24474.74
River
Lower Dibang
7843.22 4306.53 328.97 1791.86 3083.54 648.66 270.41 2799.95 23758.64 4067.55 175.79 527.27 3539.13 27758.18
River
Upper Dibang
4129.55 1831.52 108.02 1542.75 3836.89 1337.03 187.18 3628.83 15393.83 3596.28 230.26 512.84 3091.26 12765.51
River
108
Table 7-8 Resources and Water balances of each districts

Water balance present 2012 (in mm) Water balance future 2030 (in mm)
District Snow
District Forest Agriculture Snow Water Volume Snow Water Volume
area /Glacial Precipitation ET Precipitation ET
Melt Yield (MCM) Melt Yield (MCM)
Anjaw 911.69 4412.00 316.63 1037.37 1939.06 29.89 307.21 1573.00 10982.67 3302.17 105.29 468.00 2825.74 19729.33
Changlang 2344.25 4072.12 771.58 7.12 2383.56 7.48 336.80 2019.55 10237.11 3557.23 0.00 456.21 3071.77 15570.80
Dibang Valley 2515.29 4162.23 185.96 3187.21 3362.17 998.60 226.24 3121.86 27968.77 4007.71 221.79 518.54 3492.84 31292.37
East Kameng 3401.12 3591.26 192.02 102.14 2592.03 7.28 352.11 2236.80 9246.95 3053.77 142.77 453.48 2621.67 10837.98
East Siang 4139.45 3419.27 381.24 346.64 3440.54 7.71 407.80 2996.85 14046.25 2626.48 0.00 466.13 2126.34 9966.17
Kurung Kumey 538.42 5620.02 106.80 496.29 3584.56 6.10 349.83 3226.17 23038.09 3004.32 103.65 423.01 2585.02 18459.64
Lohit 1284.57 2565.77 674.30 83.21 2669.02 6.39 340.15 2309.50 10207.98 2274.20 0.00 440.55 1828.78 8083.21
Lower Dibang Valley 4345.00 2847.72 394.71 239.03 2988.32 133.48 343.79 2625.40 10685.38 3776.12 57.34 551.34 3213.36 13078.37
Lower Subansiri 8542.78 2684.07 137.06 0.14 3524.34 0.00 380.99 3129.24 9368.93 4578.82 0.00 463.95 4107.53 12297.96
Papum Pare 7801.73 2539.60 184.80 5.77 3598.79 0.56 466.49 3112.59 8948.70 3248.13 11.20 540.60 2709.24 7789.08
Tawang 2127.63 861.38 13.66 548.17 1931.10 186.68 330.61 1592.07 3457.98 3568.70 297.04 464.18 3115.33 6766.51
Tirap 3792.90 1324.95 569.65 7.20 3195.61 0.00 584.32 2581.08 5046.01 3457.30 0.00 557.01 2895.09 5659.89
Upper Siang 5856.52 4545.08 145.18 886.28 3806.24 244.41 358.51 3379.11 20909.93 3473.09 19.19 432.14 3007.89 18612.80
Upper Subansiri 6620.44 5431.65 129.73 584.55 3482.35 125.55 342.42 3125.71 21980.00 3424.49 58.60 450.94 2972.59 20903.26
West Kameng 1866.58 5584.19 104.43 190.65 1972.26 61.47 321.10 1649.71 12244.17 3065.43 130.03 477.00 2603.95 19326.53
West Siang 6524.85 6247.72 230.13 339.21 3523.80 262.91 349.66 3137.67 23981.20 4204.19 87.35 474.87 3728.73 28498.70
109
Alternative interventions required with respect to Climate change
8 Alternative interventions required with respect to Climate change
8.1 Flood Control
Flood is a recurring phenomenon in the State due to high annual rainfall and geological
fragility of the region and renders many people homeless, devastate agriculture and disrupt
road communication and other public assets. The magnitude of floods and river bank erosion
problems are increasing every year in the State. An estimated 8155 sq km area of the state is
flood prone. To tackle the flood problems, construction of embankment, spurs and guide
bunds etc. are utmost necessary. Presently, protection and restoration works have been taken
up.
8.2 Forestry
1. Forest fragmentation/ Thinning of dense forest

2. Forest fires
3. Loss of biodiversity
4. Human intervention
5. Sustainable Harvesting of timber and non-timber products
6. Protective Areas management
Preventive measure or intervention in terms of Climate and Water resources
1. The primary cause for forest fragmentation/ thinning of dense forest is shifting
cultivation, grazing and other human intervention. To combat this, other options for
agriculture should be explored by introducing high yield varieties, increasing water
use efficiency and reliable irrigation infrastructure. This needs an analysis of
consumption by irrigation for future population food requirements.
2. To prevent forest fires, unauthorized human intervention should be regulated, also,
fire control measures should be taken.
3. Loss of biodiversity can be protected in two ways, one is to restrict human
interference, and fragmenting the forest, other is to ensure, enough environmental
flow or stream flow across the channels flowing through forests to support the species
survival. Also, Small water bodies, which might have dried up or lost or are
vulnerable to future climatic variability, should be mapped and reserved and
rejuvenated by the forests department under maintenance.
4. As many local tribal are thriving within the green dense forests of Arunachal Pradesh.
110
It is the urban and advanced people interference which causes the disturbance.
Protected areas should be linked for keeping a large patch undisturbed. Unauthorized
actions within these forest lands should be restricted and regulated accordingly.
5. Forests are primary suppliers of timbers, but in many parts, this happens in a non-
enforced and irregular manner. The Harvesting of timbers and non-timber plants
should be compensated by planting more trees, and water supply to them are to be
ensured.
6. Forest is the most important resource in Arunachal Pradesh with the predominantly
large tribal population. Apart from projected vulnerability due to climate change, the
forests in Arunachal Pradesh also face several threats and biotic pressures in the form
of shifting cultivation, grazing, forest fires, encroachment, commercial plantations,
human-wildlife conflicts and illegal extraction of forest products along interstate
borders with Assam and Nagaland. Identification of priority vulnerable areas and
reduction measurements is a necessity for the state. Fragmented forests should be
taken up for defragmentation measures implementation and rehabilitating the shifting
cultivation. Linking and expanding protected areas should be promoted, this also
requires the type of water sources covered in the region and if they have sufficient
natural flow to suffice the blooming biodiversity and maintain the forest ecosystem in
its best manner.
8.3 Agriculture
1. Shifting cultivation
2. Old crop varieties
3. Poor knowledge of advanced agricultural practices and technologies
4. Irrigation infrastructure reliability
Preventive measure or intervention in terms of Climate and Water resources
1. The yield of shifting cultivation is very low. The main reason forshifting cultivation is
that farmers are here not very equipped with soil, water and crop enhanced varieties
and supported technologies. To avoid loss of nutrients and save crop loss from
repetitive farming over one land they choose jhum cultivation. The farmers should
have supported by government and research institutions by capacity building and
making them understand the use of new agri-tools. This includes introduction of high
yield varieties, which should be distributed on subsidized rates, micro or sprinkler
111
irrigation techniques, ensuring continuous water supply in low rain season, also
strengthening water-carrying infrastructure to avoid any water losses. Agriculture is
the main occupation for about 35 percent of the population of Arunachal Pradesh.
Jhum cultivation (Shifting Cultivation) and Terrace farming (Wetland Rice
Cultivation (WRC) are the two major patterns that farmers employ. Jhum is a way of
life in the high-altitude areas. Jhum area productivity is very low (0.7 to 0.8 tonnes/ha
of organic rice against average of 3 tonnes/ha). Jhum/shifting cultivation accounts for
0.11 million hectares and permanent cultivation is about 0.09 million hectares. 17% of
the total cultivated area is under irrigation. Jhum cultivation contributes only about
14% as compared to Terrace farming contribution of 86% of total grain production in
the state. An area of more than 87,500 hectares has been irrigated in Arunachal
Pradesh. Minor Irrigation Census of the State reveals that about 0.12 million-hectare
(about 66.67% of available potential) area is irrigated. The net irrigation area
underutilization is around 51,700 hectares with cropping intensity at the level of
130.56%. Fresh Potential Assessment being done under GIS environment and
ultimate potential are expected to increase to around 0.85 million hectares.
The Command Area Development Water Management (CADWM) programme envisages the
utilization of irrigation potential. Available records indicate that a wide utilization gap exists
till today, it is estimated that about 55% of created potential is utilized and 45% remains
unutilized due to poor resource support. Any shift in rainfall and temperature over a long
period of time may affect agriculture directly. This must be identified with variabilities in
climate projected and accordingly, climate resistant variety need to be promoted. Also, new
varieties which are pest resistant and consumes less water with high yield suitable for this
climate needs to be selected. Terraced rice cultivation should be supported to lessen
dependency on shifting cultivation. Enhancement of livestock production by introduction of
climate change adaptation measures should be done.
8.4 Horticulture
The climate resilient oriented cultivation practices and implementation of resource

conservation technology like micro-irrigation and rainwater harvesting system needs to be
strengthened with financial and institutional support. The climate-related information,
projections, vulnerable areas and relevant data should be disseminated at the institutional
level to all the researchers and stakeholders in water and climate sector for better preparation
112
for future. The financial and research assistance is sought for in-situ / ex-situ conservation of
germplasm of agricultural and horticultural importance/ conservation of wild relative of
agricultural and horticultural crops found in Arunachal Pradesh and investigation on the use
of existing wild germplasm for developing more climate change tolerant varieties.
Energy: replacement of old technology with new energy efficient technologies
Urban Development: urban transport (3500 million rupees) and urban mapping… building
sewerage line and stormwater drainage in twenty-six urban settlements…. connecting all the
unconnected 2741 habitations
8.5 Water Resources
Focus is on Rooftop rainwater harvesting schemes, source protection, gully plugging, check
dam, catchment area protection, contour trenching, impounding reservoirs and artificial
recharge. Advocacy and communication strategy on optimum water use, re-use of water, wise
water use programs and water pricing has been proposed
8.6 Health
Controlling vector-borne disease research, mosquito Control measures, an improvement of

access to and use of services.
113
Table 8-1 Interventions and Impact for Supply and Demand sectors
Sectors Interventions Impact
Source protection, gully plugging, check dam, Enhancing sustainable sharing of natural
Catchment area protection, Contour trenching resources and protection from wear and tear
Impounding reservoirs and artificial recharge due to human intervention and natural causes
Policy intervention of putting cost to above Regulating and implementing conduct of
mentioned involvements to bear costs from natural resources management works under
MGNREGS and IWMP government policy initiative
Spring rejuvenation inventorying, measurement Natural resource protection and availability for
Supply
of discharge and rejuvenation of old dying local usage, sub-surface water fluctuation
springs assessment
Temporal study on glaciers extent and Glacial Support in measuring impact of

lake changes climate change assisting vulnerability
reduction measures
WRH to tap the surface run off by rain water and Rainwater harvesting and increased recharge
for artificial recharge of ground water. for dry periods
Enhancing afforestation and plantations Helps in Deforestation combating, biodiversity
activities. protection
Effective fire prevention and fire management. Avoiding loss of natural and economic
resources
Sustainable harvesting of timber and non-timber Reduction in imbalance in forest products

products. production and consumption
Forest
Expansion of protected area network. Conservation, protection and development of

Biodiversity and Wild Life
Rehabilitation of shifting cultivation areas. Reduction in degraded forest patches
Eco-restoration of degraded open forests. Enhancement in forest land quantity and

quality
Rehabilitation of Shifting Cultivation areas by Reduced dependency of the farmers on WRD

Demand
Terraced Rice Cultivation. Also hand over the for overall maintenance of the system
rehabilitated irrigation system to the farmers and
Agriculture & horticulture
make them responsible for its maintenance
Micro Irrigation and Rain Water Harvesting Increased irrigation efficiency

System (MI & RWH)
Introduction of new advanced technologies in Increased resilience towards changing climatic

irrigation and climate resilient, high yield, less conditions, high yield, less water consumption,
water demanding crop variety. high productivity
Integrated crop management,

Creation of assured irrigation in settled
cultivation areas
Replacement of defective energy meters system Reduced energy consumption, Less energy
and providing meter to unmetered consumers. wastage
Energy
Regular energy auditing, finding loads and

supply gaps
Implementing energy efficiency demonstrated
projects in different institutional levels
114
Sectors Interventions Impact

Assessment of energy required specifically for An assured adequate distribution of energy and
each sector, agriculture, domestic etc. and policy power for different sectors
making for distribution
Infrastructure improvement for Piped water Assured and clean water supply to each
provisions to every household in urban household, less struggle for fetching water for
daily purposes
Domestic / Livestock
Identification of groundwater potential in Increased water availability apart from surface

different catchments and accordingly provisions water resources, and selective crop cultivation
for water usage to different sectors. as per water availability
Roof top rain water harvesting schemes Extra water availability for daily purposes at
household level.
Water Quality monitoring stations establishments Control over water quality levels and
declarations for fit/unfit of water for different
purposes.
Solid Waste Management
Setup of sewage treatment Plans Ethical dumping of industrial sewages
Decreased chances of natural resources
pollution
Industrial
Quantification provisions of water consumptions Proper water budgeting of water requirements

in large, medium and small-scale industries and polluted water expulsion from industries
Sewage generation estimates for different
industries
Identifying non-point and point source pollution Targeted policy and frameworks for tackling
of surface/groundwater groundwater /surface water pollution
Infrastructure support for R&D activities on
climate change effect on water resources
Awareness, capacity building on Participatory Increase the coverage area under government
Irrigation management programmes
Institutional
Proper blending of MIP, CAD and watershed

schemes are required
Coordination between line departments Greater interdepartmental cooperation between
WRD and other line departments
Creation of River Basin Agencies and
empowering them
Massive stake-holder engagement
115
8.7 Policies in respect to water utilisation
Managing water resources in Arunachal Pradesh in effect implies ensuring sustainable

utilization of the immense water resources of the State. In terms of utilization of water
resources, it is estimated that Arunachal Pradesh has more than one-third of the country’s
proven hydropower potential. Several projects, large and small are been planned to tap this
enormous hydro power potential. Apart from the planned large power projects, State’s Small
Hydro Power Policy 2007 envisages that these eco-friendly and renewable- micro/mini/small
hydro projects that are low in gestation period will be ideal for viable investment for State’s
domestic power requirement. The policy calls for formulation and notification of an Action
Plan for Small Hydro Power Generation.
In terms of utilisation of water for State’s agriculture, the Agriculture Policy 2001 provides
rapid expansion of area under agriculture through the innovative use of technology, expand
irrigation facilities and build supporting infrastructure. The new Industrial Policy formulated
in 2001 provides for a range of fiscal incentives, streamlined administrative processes and
development of infrastructure facilities such as industrial parks, Industrial Estates, Industrial
Growth Centers, Integrated Infrastructure Development Centers etc.
116

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State Specific Action Plan for Water Sector-

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TERI School of Advanced Studies, 2018

State Specific Action Plan for water Sector- Arunachal Pradesh

New Delhi: TERI School of Advanced Studies

[Project Report No. 2017QP01]

For more information

TERI School of Advanced Studies

2 ABOUT STATE: A WATER PERSPECTIVE 5

2.1 NATURE AND CULTURE 5

3 WATER CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES 23

3.1 PHYSICAL CHALLENGES 23

4.1 AVAILABLE SURFACE WATER RESOURCES: 49

5 WATER RESOURCES: UTILIZATIONS, CONSUMPTION AND FUTURE

5.1 AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE SECTOR 61

6 SECTORAL WATER BUDGET: POTENTIAL CREATED AND UTILIZED 88

6.1 PRESENT WATER DEMAND 88

7.1 IMPACT OF LAND PRACTICES 99

8 ALTERNATIVE INTERVENTIONS REQUIRED WITH RESPECT TO

8.1 FLOOD CONTROL 110

Table 2-1: The area under various landforms ............................................................................ 6

Table 2-2 Area Production and yield of major crops ............................................................... 10

Table 2-3 Forest Types of Arunachal Pradesh ......................................................................... 11

Table 2-4 Forest change and distribution................................................................................. 11

Table 2-7: Rock types and distribution .................................................................................... 16

Table 2-8 Areal distribution of ground water potential zone ................................................... 17

Table 2-9: Land Use / Land Cover .......................................................................................... 20

Table 3-3 Area under canal irrigation ...................................................................................... 36

Table 4-1 Sources of data ........................................................................................................ 49

Table 4-2 Water availability (in MCM) in different catchments ............................................. 51

Table 4-3 Water availability (in MCM) in different districts .................................................. 52

Table 4-4 Snow melt contribution in the catchment ................................................................ 52

Table 4-5 Lakes numbers and area in the state ........................................................................ 54

Table 4-6 Numbers of Wetlands under various size ................................................................ 55

Table 4-7 Wetland coverage area ............................................................................................ 55

Table 4-8 Reservoir information .............................................................................................. 56

Table 4-9 Groundwater resources ............................................................................................ 58

Table 4-10 Groundwater utilization District-wise ................................................................... 59

Table 5-1 Cultivation practices (in ha) .................................................................................... 61

Table 5-2 Production of crops.................................................................................................. 61

Table 5-3 Production of spices and fruits ................................................................................ 62

Table 5-4 Percentage of Irrigation in Agriculture and Horticulture sector .............................. 64

Table 5-5 Food Availability and Requirement in 2030-31 ...................................................... 66

Table 5-6 Rainfed and Irrigated production and yield ............................................................. 68

Table 5-7 District-wise Agriculture Water Demand ................................................................ 69

Table 5-8 Fish Culture ............................................................................................................. 70

Table 5-9 Fish Production ........................................................................................................ 70

Table 5-10 Drinking water supply ........................................................................................... 71

Table 5-11 District-wise Domestic Annual water demand ...................................................... 72

Table 5-12 Livestock population ............................................................................................. 74

Table 5-13 District wise information of livestock ................................................................... 75

Table 5-14 District-wise Livestock Annual water demand ..................................................... 76

Table 5-15 District-wise Industrial Annual water demand ..................................................... 77

Table 5-16 Water Demand -Medical Institutions .................................................................... 78

Table 5-17 District-wise Medical Institutions Annual water demand ..................................... 79

Table 5-18 Water Demand-Education Sector .......................................................................... 80