Maharashtra Drought Threats and Historical Context

Exam-Focused Notes on Drought in Maharashtra

Historical Context

• Drought Incidence: Maharashtra has experienced at least 15 droughts from 1960 to 2026, with the 1972 drought being unprecedented.
• Impact of 1972 Drought: Affected 75-80% of Maharashtra's population (approximately 1.8-2 crore people). Key regions impacted included Marathwada and Vidarbha.
• Historical Population Growth: Mumbai's population surged by approximately 3.5 lakh during the 1972 drought due to mass migration from rural areas.

Government Response and Schemes

• Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS):

  • Introduced in March 1972 based on the principle that work is a fundamental right.
  • Provided alternative employment through public works (water conservation, well digging, etc.) for those affected by agricultural losses.
  • Initially enrolled nearly 15 lakh participants, ultimately absorbing around 1 crore workers.
  • Post-crisis, the EGS Act of 1978 mandated timely job provision, later influencing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005.

• Supplemental Nutrition Program:

  • Provided "sukdi," a calorie-rich food supplement, utilizing substandard imported wheat amidst domestic shortages.

• Public Distribution System (PDS):

  • Became crucial for providing essential grains through fair-price shops during the 1972 crisis.

Current Scenario

• El Niño Impact: Current agricultural forecasts predict severe drought conditions in Maharashtra, potentially worse than 1972.
• Current Drought Assessment: Out of 36 districts in Maharashtra, 21 are already logging significant rainfall deficits.

Expert Opinions

• Water Conservation Challenges: Experts like Pradeep Purandare highlight failures in contemporary water conservation efforts, accusing the state of utilizing outdated irrigation methods incompatible with current demands.

Constitutional and Policy References

• Fundamental Rights: EGS reflects Article 21 (Right to Life) as it addresses employment as a fundamental aspect of livelihood.
• Government Schemes: EGS and its evolution into MGNREGA underline progressive governmental responses toward employment and rural empowerment.

Economic Indicators

• Financial Investment: In 1972, over Rs 200 crore was allocated to the EGS.
• Long-term Economic Impact: The drought significantly challenged the cooperatively-driven agricultural economy of Maharashtra.

Environmental Context

• Agricultural Vulnerability: Maharashtra's agriculture, heavily rain-fed, is particularly susceptible to climate variations influenced by phenomena such as El Niño.
• Biodiversity Impact: Drought conditions could threaten local biodiversity and farming communities reliant on agriculture.

Inflection Points

• The drastic measures taken during the 1972 drought laid foundational policies that presently inform disaster management and agricultural policies in India.

Conclusion

Maharashtra’s struggle with droughts historically underscores the importance of robust government intervention in crisis management and the ongoing necessity for innovations in water conservation and agricultural resilience strategies. Current climatic threats demand renewed attention to historical lessons and reforms in agricultural policy.