Drought is not a new phenomenon but occurs annually in some part or other of our vast country (“SC pulls up Centre, States for failing to tackle drought”, May 12). There has to be a structured approach to minimising the ill-effects of drought. As a short-term solution, immediate measures such as supplying drinking water and feed for cattle and other animals must be arranged for on a war footing. In the long term, we need to be looking at rejuvenating waterbodies, making rivers perennial by paying attention to enhancing forest cover in catchment areas, building bunds to prevent rainwater run-off, and propagating rainwater harvesting, the use of drip/sprinkler irrigation and recycling urban waste water. Our numerous crop research institutes must also encourage farmers to go in for crops that are drought-resistant. There must be a drought audit every year to measure progress in all these areas.
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Bengaluru
I feel the Centre has to think of a pan-India definition of drought as the situation varies from State to State. It should then ensure that States take up proactive measures to mitigate the consequences of drought. Rather than trade charges, the Centre and States should work together in ensuring drought relief.
Farhan Hasan,
Suramangalam, Tamil Nadu