Water, health and community nexus: a case of three watersheds in Bundelkhand region of India
Student name: Ms Kamlika Gupta and Ms Shagun
Guide: Ms Fawzia Tarannum
Year of completion: 2017
Host Organisation: National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr V. C. Goyal
Abstract: Access to clean water and its availability are critical issues that affect the people of
Bundelkhand. A study in three watersheds of Bundelkhand was carried out to understand the
water-community–health nexus. The watersheds that were covered in the study were
identified after thorough review of the secondary literature of the region. The first section
focusses on the water quality assessment of ground and surface water in Patrahi-Lakheri
watershed in Jhansi, Sajnam Watershed in Lalitpur and Kathan Watershed in Chhatarpur
suggests that the water quality is poor, fair and good respectively. Surface water health
assessment brings to light the fact that most village ponds have become eutrophic and
hypereutrophic and urgent steps need to be taken to control the situation. The second section
covers the health aspect Instances of diarrhoea, gastrointestinal disorders, skin diseases and
isolated cases of fluorosis were reported during the field study. The community perception of
water quality in terms of its taste, appearance and smell was also captured in the study. The
final section is an account of communities’ issues and concerns raised during the survey and
a concluding statement of how this nexus is a vital tool in watershed management.
Keywords: Watershed, Water quality, Health Nexus, Community sustainability, Sustainable
development
