61. Changemakers.net Is A Web Guide To The Rapidly Growing Profession Cultivation without careful management will damage the soil, To Phiri thelink between quality of life and quality of soil and water is inextricable. http://www.changemakers.net/journal/00march/zaidman.cfm

Join our community! Link to Changemakers features journal march 2000 feature email this page print register search ... manage newsletter subscription Read a book about Zephaniah Phiri Maseko: of Zephaniah Phiri by Mary Witoshynski of Weaver Press Harare is now available from the African Books Collective, The Jam Factory, Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HU, tel 01865 726686, email orders@africanbooks collective.com A Commitment to Soil and Water: A Lesson from Zimbabwe By Yasmina Zaidman And the Lord God took man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. Genesis 2:15 Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow thou shalt eat of it all the days of thy life. Genesis 3:17 The Garden of Eden, a place where nature's abundance was boundless, where man and woman could thrive with everything they needed, free from toil, hunger, and fear, was lost when the pair disobeyed God, leaving them to fend for themselves outside the garden. From hence on, the ground was cursed, and they would have to live from the sweat of their brow. So the story goes. Yet in rural Zimbabwe, in a region prone to drought, such an Edenic garden seems to exist. At the farm of Zepheniah Phiri Maseko, crops grow quickly and bountifully, even in drought years, and the abundance on a modest three-hectare homestead is enough to support a family of 15 and raise cash for other expenses.

62. Sahelian Farming soil and water management Techniques for Plant Resources Conservation in the Because of frequent droughts and land degradation, it is more and more http://www.agroecology.org/cases/sahelianfarming.htm

Case Studies: Sahelian Farming Soil and Water Management Techniques for Plant Resources Conservation in the Northern Burkina Faso Overview: Agriculture in the Sahelian zone like the northern part of Burkina Faso is essentially rainfed. Because of frequent droughts and land degradation, it is more and more difficult for crops to have enough water during their growing period. Farmers of this region have developed several soil and water management techniques like stony lines associated or not with the Zai system. This consists of digging holes during the dry season, putting a small quantity of manure into them and waiting for the raining season to sow seeds. Other techniques have been developed in this region over the past 20 years by many development projects, NGOs with the assistance of research institutions. Scale Field, farm, landscape, region Location: The site is located at 2.7 ºW, 14.0 º N in the Yatenga province near the town of Ouahigouya

63. Landscape Design For Water Conservation In response to drought and limited water resources a number of new landscapingideas have evolved water Conservation in Landscape Design and management. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG027

Whole Document Navigator (Click Here) Top of Document LANDSCAPE STYLES OTHER ASPECTS OF DESIGN SUMMARY REFERENCES Footnotes Landscape Design for Water Conservation Knox, Gary W. Water conservation is becoming an important part of Florida's overall water management program. Saltwater intrusion and pollutants threaten Florida's limited water resources, and increasing urbanization and periodic drought are placing greater demands on water supplies. For these reasons, nursery growers, landscapers, and homeowners should be conscious of water use and should strive to minimize waste and consumption of water. One of the best means of conserving water is to design or modify the landscape to reduce its water requirements. LANDSCAPE STYLES The ``traditional'' or ``conventional'' landscape is characterized by large areas of turf accented by well-manicured trees and shrubs. This traditional landscape is typical of the cool, temperate regions of the northeastern U.S. and was brought to Florida as people moved here from the North. Unfortunately, this traditional type of landscape is not well-adapted to Florida's sandy, porous soils; hot, sub-tropical climate; and well-defined wet and dry seasons. As a result, traditional landscapes in Florida require large amounts of water and maintenance. In response to drought and limited water resources a number of new landscaping ideas have evolved to reduce water and maintenance requirements while still providing aesthetically-pleasing landscapes. Collectively, landscaping concepts that reduce water requirements can be called

64. Coping With Drought In The Landscape Because of Florida s sandy soils, plants may experience drought stress after onlya few water management Practices During drought. General Practices http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG026

Whole Document Navigator (Click Here) Top of Document Water Management Practices During Drought -General Practices -Management Practices for Turf -Management Practices for Bedding Plants, Shrubs and Trees Drastic Measures for Water Conservation During Drought References Footnotes Coping with Drought in the Landscape Gary W. Knox For a PowerPoint presentation on Coping with Drought, visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/media/MG026/MG02600.ppt Drought is likely to occur in every part of Florida at one time or another. Increased urbanization, coupled with a limited water supply, is predisposing much of the state to a greater chance of water shortages. Because of Florida's sandy soils, plants may experience drought stress after only a few days without rain or irrigation. During a drought, or when conditions indicate a drought may be imminent, the water management districts have the authority to restrict water use. The restrictions are designed to be equitable, but high priority is given to water use for human consumption, agriculture, and industry. Accordingly, irrigation for commercial and home landscapes may be restricted. With these limitations on water, the landscaper or homeowner must decide how best to use the limited water available for landscape irrigation. The following guidelines are given as suggestions for management practices during drought. Some of the recommendations should be followed as normal irrigation practices; they are included here for those individuals not already using proper water management practices, and as reminders for those who are. Further information on proper water management practices can be found in

65. Gray Watering -- Drought UGA CAES Longterm irrigation with high-sodium water can cause soil problems. Please contact drought@arches.uga.edu or Jennifer Cannon at (229) 386-3802 http://interests.caes.uga.edu/drought/articles/gwlands.htm

Main Page Latest Information Articles ... Contacts USING GRAY WATER ON THE LANDSCAPE I n times of water shortage, slightly used water can provide an alternative landscape irrigation source for your residential customers. by Kim D. Coder, Extension Forester PLEASE NOTE: Storing gray water is against health codes in many counties. Check with your local health department for additional information about using gray water at your address. Separating slightly used (gray) water from sewage (black water) makes good conservation sense. Drinkable water becomes more valuable every year. Some communities restrict water use periodically, curtailing outdoor watering first when shortages occur. This can be disastrous for businesses that depend on irrigation to establish or maintain landscapes. One water-conserving alternative that merits a closer look is gray water. Daily, homeowners misuse or waste an average of 33 percent of our valuable drinking water. Most of this water misuse is for diluting toilet, sink and laundry wastes and from slightly used sink, shower and laundry water. Every day we use many gallons of drinkable water for purposes like landscape irrigation, which could employ gray water.

66. Soil And Water Management & Crop Nutrition: MTC - Other Scientific Meetings 2005 soil and water management Crop Nutrition soil System Sciences programmesection, SSS10 soil water erosion on rural areas. http://www.iaea.org/programmes/nafa/d1/mtc/05-other.html

Other Scientific Meetings International Conference on “Environment and livelihoods in Coastal Zones: Managing Agriculture-Fisheries-Aquaculture Conflicts” Bac Lieu, Vietnam, 1 - 3 March 2005 . Jointly organised by the International Rice Research Institute, the International Water Management Institute, Can Tho University-Vietnam and People’s Committee of Bac Lieu Province, Vietnam. Participation of M.L. Nguyen with a paper titled ‘Land and Water Resources Management in Coastal Zones - Research Collaboration Opportunities: Perspectives from the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture’. Participation of R. Serraj with a paper titled ‘Crop Improvement of Salinity and Drought Tolerance Using Nuclear and Related Techniques’ by R. Serraj and P.J. Lagoda. European Geosciences Union. General assembly. Soil System Sciences programme section, SSS10 Soil water erosion on rural areas. Vienna, Austria, 24 - 29 April 2005. Participation of Claude Bernard (SWMCN) and Lionel Mabit (SSU) with an oral presentation entitled “Using fallout radio-nuclide Cs-137 to assess the magnitude and spatial extent of soil erosion and sediment production areas in the Boyer River watershed (Québec, Canada)”. Joint FAO/IAEA Division Main Page Plant Breeding and Genetics Animal Production and Health Insect Pest Control ... IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency

67. Landscape Drought Survival Sandy soil does not hold water long enough for the grass to take full advantageof the water New growth is less droughttolerant and less cold-tolerant, http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/waterres/drought/landspsurv.htm

@import "/level3.css"; Water Restrictions Landscape Drought Survival Know and follow the water restrictions in your area Lack of rainfall can make it difficult to establish and maintain a high-quality lawn and landscape. Use low-volume watering Most watering restrictions allow the use of low-volume methods to efficiently irrigate non-lawn areas as needed (instead of only a certain day of the week). Soaker hoses can be laid along a row of hedges, wrapped under the drip line of a tree, or weaved in between plants. Faucet timers can be used to regulate when and how long the hoses apply the water. Drip tubes, micro-jets, and other devices can be used to upgrade zones in an irrigation system. Garden supply stores and catalogs offer "tree bladders" and other efficient ways of applying water to specimen plants. No-cost devices (such as punching a hole near the bottom of an empty milk jug, then filling it with water and placing it near a plant that needs extra water) are also an option. Give the irrigation system a tune-up Broken, missing or mis-aligned sprinklers heads result in less water being applied to plants that need it. During shorter days and cooler weather, grass and other plant materials need less water. To compensate, set the grass zones to only come on once every other week. Learn how to use the manual override feature to "skip" a cycle when rain occurs. Install a rain sensor to make that decision when you are not home.

68. IWMI Publications And Output - Research Report Series Valuing Nutrients in soil and water Concepts and Techniques with Examples This report analyzes the evolving watermanagement institutions and their http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/pubs/rrindex.htm

Research Report Series Peer-reviewed research highlighting generic findings. The IWMI Research Report Series is the Institute's flagship research publication.This is a series of internationally peer-reviewed research reports which follow a review process similar to that of recognized international scientific journals (anonymous peer review). The purpose of research reports is to highlight generic scientific tools and lessons that can be culled from IWMI research. More Research Reports Irrigation and Water Policies in the Mekong Region Current Discourses and Practices Download as pdf (713 kb) Adoption and Impacts of Microirrigation Technologies Empirical Results from Selected Localities of Maharashtra and Gujarat States of India This report analyzes the economics of alternative microirrigation technologies ranging from low-cost drip and sprinkler systems to the capital-intensive systems, the determinants of adoption of microirrigation technology, the poverty outreach of the different microirrigation systems, and the sustainability implications of microirrigation adoption. Download as pdf (671 kb) How Pro-Poor are Participatory Watershed Management Projects This report draws on a survey and case study evidence from 28 watershed management groups in Haryana to argue that participatory watershed management projects need not necessarily safeguard the interests of poorer rural households.

69. Drought Management Decisions - Fall In drought years and especially after multiple years of drought, water can becomea scarce drought management Decisions Fall - Current Document http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/ppe1088

Home Find Staff Calculators Directories ... Links Drought Management Decisions - Fall Fall soil moisture techniques Adjust harvest and post harvest inputs Feed and water for winter Reducing livestock inventory ... Current long-term forecast Fall Soil Moisture Conservation Techniques Have I used proper soil moisture conservation techniques this fall to improve growing conditions for next spring? If you have experienced a dry summer, now is a good time to consider methods of retaining moisture for next spring. Moisture conservation techniques include leaving stubble or creating trap strips to catch snow over the winter for use by crops in the spring. Leaving crop residue on fields will help to increase organic matter, and decrease evaporation from the soil surface, increasing the quality of the soil for spring planting. Direct seeding reduced tilage and zero-tillage are terms used to describe the practise of reducing or eliminating tillage used in seedbed preparation. The Alberta Reduced Tillage Linkages provides information on management methods and costs under the new system. When making the switch to reduced tillage or direct seeding, it is important to consider your methods for crop residue management, especially any changes required to your machinery Adjust Harvest and Post Harvest Inputs Have I appropriately adjusted harvest and post harvest inputs to reflect current moisture and market conditions?

70. Dictionary Page CO.UK - Agriculture drought Policy Commission, National dryland farming Irradiation Irrigation Irrigation return flow Irrigation water management http://agriculture.f.dictonarypage.co.uk/

Agriculture 21st Century Agriculture AAEA AAFCO Agriculture 21st Century Agriculture AAEA AAFCO ... Zoonotic diseases

71. Water Portal | Links Its mission mandate concerns food security and fight against droughts anddesertification results. soil and water management and Crop Nutrition http://www.unesco.org/water/water_links/Water_Issues/Water_and_society/Water_and

Home to Water Portal About the Water Portal IHP - International Hydrological Programme - National Committees ... Water and society : Water and food Links Administracion Nacional de Acueductos y Alcantarillados - ANDA This organization participates in providing water suitable for human consumption in the quantity and flow corresponding of the population’s needs. The ANDA also treats wastewater, thus maintaining the ecological balance of the water services in El Salvador. >>>to Website (Added: 2004-08-12) AQUASTAT AQUASTAT is FAO's global information system of water and agriculture developed by the Land and Water Development Division. The objective of AQUASTAT is to provide users with comprehensive information on the state of agricultural water management across the world, with emphasis on developing countries and countries in transition. >>>to Website (Added: 2001-12-06) CARE CARE International’s mission is to serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world. CARE's programmes include Water and Sanitation, Environment. >>>to Website (Added: 2001-10-08) Centre de Recherches Hydrologiques - CRH (Cameroon) The objectives of the CRH are: to develop and provide information about available water resources; evaluate and monitor the quality of rainfall, as well as river, lake, underground and used water; to interpret the necessary hydrological data for development projects; to anticipate the impact of human activities on hydro climatic regimes.

72. Drought Advisory For Vegetable Production When prolonged drought conditions occur, plan to conserve water and to manage Table 2. Relationship of Available waterHolding Capacity and soil Texture http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/disaster/drought/dro-13.html

Drought Advisory for Vegetable Production Unprecedented drought conditions in much of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States in 1993 had adverse effects on the yield and quality of a wide range of vegetable crops. The 1993 drought aside, supplemental irrigation is necessary every year for successful vegetable crop production. Vegetable production involves higher costs than many other crops. Among the reasons are volatile market risk and the need for optimum levels of appearance, consistent supplies and qualities in the marketplace. Moreover, many vegetable crops have high water requirements. When prolonged drought conditions occur, plan to conserve water and to manage irrigation practices carefully. Use cultural practices that conserve soil moisture and allow plants to use water efficiently. Irrigation planning and management is not only the first step in coping with drought conditions, it is generally critical for profitable vegetable production. Specific recommendations for irrigation management are presented in this fact sheet as well as in many other references available from your Extension Service and irrigation suppliers. Developing marketing strategies is important in trying to attain profitability in vegetable crop production whether drought conditions prevail or not. When drought conditions are anticipated, it is important to develop buyers and outlets for lower grade products. Reduce harvest, packaging, and marketing costs when possible. Drought-damaged produce of certain commodities may be useful to certain vegetable processing companies. These options may be limited, but some sales may be possible. Contact potential outlets early to investigate these arrangements.

73. Drought Management For Cotton Production Continue applying 0.75 to 1.0 inch of water at the first sign of drought stressbefore Tillage and Residue management. Many soils in the Southeast form http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/disaster/drought/dro-17.html

Drought Management for Cotton Production Introduction Cotton Water Needs Drought before bloom can reduce the number of fruiting branches produced by first bloom. However, drought is rarely severe enough to cause fruit shed before bloom in the Southeast because of the relatively low water demands that squares development exerts on the plant. As the crop begins to bloom it must begin filling bolls. This process causes the plant's demand for water to rise dramatically as more and more bolls are produced as shown in Figure 1. Drought will not only slow down plant development but will cause the plant to shed small bolls and squares due to this increased demand for water. Drought following bloom has the greatest effect on cotton yield and lint quality. Irrigation Cotton is an excellent candidate for irrigated land particularly in areas that frequently have drought periods during July 1 through August 20 and on coarse-textured, sandy land. During peak blooming, cotton will use about 0.3 to 0.4 inch of water per day. Irrigated cotton yields have been from zero to more than 800 pounds per acre greater than nonirrigated yields, with the most frequently reported increases being in the 200 to 400 pounds per acre range. The following procedure is suggested for 900 to 1,200 pounds per acre yields: Before first bloom irrigate with 0.75 to l.0 inch of water whenever wilting of plants is observed by midday. Continue applying 0.75 to 1.0 inch of water at the first sign of drought stress before first bloom. It should be recognized that abundant moisture magnifies vegetative growth problems when excessive nitrogen is available, insect control is insufficient, or both. After first bloom, irrigate as needed to supply the quantities of water listed in Table 1. Rain gauges should be used to measure the water received from rain and the amount supplied by irrigation.

74. Jacobs, Faculty , The University Of Arizona Department Of Soil, Water And Enviro Associate Professor and Specialist, Department of soil, water and Environmental Jacobs, K. and R. Pulwarty, (2003), water Resource management Science, http://ag.arizona.edu/SWES/people/cv/jacobs.htm

KATHARINE L. JACOBS University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center 350 N. Campbell Tucson AZ 85719 520-792-9591 ext. 15 Fax: 520-792-8518 Email: kjacobs@ag.arizona.edu SAHRA Center for Sustainability of semi-Arid Hydrology and Riparian Areas University of Arizona, 845 N. Park Ave Tucson, AZ 85721-0158 520-621-8787 Fax: 520-626-7770 EDUCATION: University of California, Berkeley. MLA in Environmental Planning, 1981. Professional Project: Coastal Management Plan for Anchorage, Alaska Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont. B.A. in Biology, 1977. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Junior year exchange student in Biology RESEARCH: My research focuses on water management, planning and policy, climate variability and change, drought planning and water-related decision support. I assisted in the development of Arizona's first drought plan in cooperation with the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the Climate Assessment for the Southwest. I am the project manager on a grant for a major project with the US Bureau of Reclamation on incorporation of climate information into modeling activities associated with managing the Colorado River. I have been involved in two National Academy panels over the past two years, one on reviewing the US Climate Change Science Program Strategic Plan and one on Endangered Species in the Platte River, Nebraska.

75. Rice Water Management water Stress Effects, water management Systems, and Irrigation Requirements water requirement for soaking the land depends on the initial soil moisture http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/regionalSites/sriLanka/docs/doaTechSheets/Ri_w

Water Stress Effects, Water Management Systems, and Irrigation Requirements for Rice in Sri Lanka Effect of water deficit Stress has been define as "any environmental factor capable of inducing a potentially injurious strain in plants". Water is a major constituent of tissue, a reagent in chemical reaction, a solvent for and mode of translocation for metabolites and minerals within plant and is essential for cell enlargement through increasing turgor pressure. With the occurrence of water deficits many of the physiological processes associated with growth are affected and under severe deficits, death of plants may result. The effect of water stress may vary with the variety, degree and duration of water stress and the growth stage of the rice crop. Water requirement is low at the seedling stage. Unless there is severe water stress the effect during this stage could be recovered. Water stress during vegetative stage reduces plant height, tiller number and leaf area. Excess water effects To be developed Water requirement of a rice crop in Sri Lanka Water requirement for a successful rice crop varies with the method of land preparation, method of crop establishment and duration of the rice crop. It also varies with the soil, environmental conditions and the management of the subsequent rice crop.

76. CEGIS Application of Agro Ecological Zones Database in drought management soil serieswise NIR could be helpful for farmers for the management of irrigation http://www.cegisbd.com/projects/aezweb.htm

Application of Agro Ecological Zones Database in Drought Management Cover page This pilot research project was carried out in seven thanas of the country to develop a national methodology for drought assessment and management for the reduction of damage to agriculture potentials from water scarcity. The project was conceived with active co-operation from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) for a period of 3 years, commencing from April 1 st The objectives of the study were to develop a methodology and corresponding tools that could be applied on a national level drought assessment of present and future agricultural practices. The study output was intended to contribute to policy formulation and strategic planning in areas such as, agricultural practices and crop diversification, investments in irrigation development works, and allocation of water to different uses. National Methodology The methodology can be applied in any part of the country and is framed in a way so as to proceed with a detailed drought assessment at the thana level. The aggregated figures of the assessment are to be utilized at the national level. The methodology was applied in seven selected thanas belonging to the major agroecological regions of the country for assessing water availability and crop water demand. Several analytical steps were followed for the determination of crop water demand, surface and ground water availability and drought assessment.

77. Guelph Water Management Group: Publications And Theses Guelph water management Group in the Geography Department at the drought planningand water allocation an assessment of local capacity in Minnesota. http://www.uoguelph.ca/gwmg/pubs.htm

Guelph Water Management Group Home Publications Selected publications resulting from research conducted by Guelph Water Management Group members are listed here. These include current work (in press and under review), journal articles, book chapters, reports, and graduate student theses. Abstracts and some of our publications are available in Adobe Acrobat format; click on the link following the reference to download the document. If you don't have Acrobat on your computer, then you can download it from Adobe's web site Note: In November, 2002, we changed our name from the "Rural Water Management Group" to the "Guelph Water Management Group". Some of the publications listed below were published under our old name. Current Work The following publications highlight some of our most recent work. Items listed here are under review, and should not be cited or quoted. For more information about any of these, please contact the authors directly. Journal of the American Water Resources Association Governing Water Wisely: Freshwater Management in Canada . ed K. Bakker. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press. Geoforum Applied Geography -top- Published Work In Press Canadian Water Resources Journal Abstract Water Policy Abstract Land Use Policy Abstract Land Use Policy Abstract Canadian Water Resources Journal Paper Assessment of Agricultural Water Use/Demand Across Canada Reflections on Our Future: Into a New Century of Water Stewardship . Proceedings of the CWRA 58th Annual Conference, Banff, Alberta, June 14-17, 2005. Cambridge, Ontario: Canadian Water Resources Association.

78. Pakistan Water Gateway - Articles - Drought And Water Management Strategies drought and water management strategies The Dawn, By Dr Sardar Riaz A. Khan,4/11/2002. Pakistan is suffering from a severe drought for the last three years http://www.waterinfo.net.pk/artdwms.htm

- Site Map - About the Water Portal Key Water Information Pakistan Water Situational Analysis Pakistan Water Sector Strategy Experts Directory Documents Water News Institutions Policies/Legislation National Links International Links Forums Water Web Ring WCD - CPP Project Contribution What's New Subscribe Articles Feedback Search Contribution Subscribe Home Site Links About Water Gateway Key Water Information Pakistan Water Sector Strategy Experts Directory ... Back Drought and water management strategies The Dawn, By Dr Sardar Riaz A. Khan, 4/11/2002 Pakistan is suffering from a severe drought for the last three years. A regional workshop on water management was held recently at Lahore which was organised by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), in collaboration with the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) and it was attended by experts from various countries. Five of the experts from Pakistan spoke on various aspects of water management. The major emphasis of these experts was on defining drought, its forecasting and suggesting water management strategies mainly of surface and groundwater for mitigation of drought, while the vital subject of rain water harvesting technology as followed in many countries was hardly referred. Therefore, the writer has taken up this issue in the national interest.

79. ISWS - Illinois Drought Illinois EPA Division of Public water Supplies drought Report (August 4, 2005, soil Moisture Summary (biweekly, water and Atmospheric Resources http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/hilites/drought/

Illinois Drought Illinois State Water Survey Information from the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) and other sources on drought and drought-related topics focused on Illinois. Links are grouped by category, with newer material appearing in Table of Contents: Governor's Drought Emergency Drought Response Task Force ISWS Drought Updates Illinois Drought Press Releases ... Contacts Purchase the Climate Atlas of Illinois Governor's Drought Emergency top Gov. Blagojevich seeks disaster declaration to aid Illinois farmers (July 25, 2005, Illinois Government News Network) - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today requested federal disaster assistance for drought-stricken Illinois farmers who have sustained substantial crop losses this year. Drought Response Task Force top Illinois Drought Task Force Meeting Minutes (September 10, 2005, Drought Response Task Force) - Minutes from the Illinois Drought Task Force Meeting on August 26, 2005.

80. Online Edition Of Sunday Observer - Business Treating sea water, diverting rivers and effective water management have been EM compost builds up water retention capacity in soil and keeps alive http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2001/10/07/fea13.html

Sunday, 7 October 2001 The widest coverage in Sri Lanka. Features News Business Features Editorial ... Archives Coming through drought By Jayanthi Liyanage Rains should not dampen efforts to seek long-term solutions to drought disasters. The long wait is over. Rain is on us - in drizzles, sprays and crackling showers. As parched land rises to pick up the shrivelled threads of life from the withering drought, a single thought crosses the mind. "Surely, the next drought does not have to be that severe!" Thirst, hunger, ravaged crops and cattle, vexful hours of prolonged darkness .... Are these an ordained ritual we are to pass through regularly in the future? Look closely at the areas and populations prone to drought-devastation and we would know where to devise long term safe-guards to best ward off ruin when the sun hits us again. "Every time drought occurs, it's the responsibility of Social Service Department," said Mrs. N.J. Pathirana, Director of Social Service, recapitulating how the Department had to run a hectic schedule dispensing short term relief in the past weeks- and still does, until farmers reap their next harvest. "Our National Disaster Mitigation Committee is new and needs to gather experience." "A university professor had said, 'Drought is a disaster more severe than flood or other disasters. People do not feel or focus attention as it is slow and gradual,'" she said. "It's a disaster largely man-made, by felling trees, misuse of water and indiscriminate digging of tube wells. High-priority awareness-raising is very important to mitigate this disaster."

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