Diverting attention away from water resource management failings can only go on for so long until another crisis is upon us
While the nation is preoccupied with domestic politics, Thailand is facing another challenge from nature. The country could face a severe drought next year, unless the government can effectively the issue of water resource management. Unfortunately, although the government has allocated a massive budget of Bt350 billion for water management, there seems to be little urgency in addressing the issue.
Several months have passed and a credible project has yet to materialise. The government is reportedly looking to the private sector to compete in the bidding process and the conceptual planning of the project.
Recent downpours disguise the fact that many provinces are suffering drought due to inconsistency in rainfall. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on November 21 that 18 provinces are suffering a lack of rainfall. Water levels in reservoirs are also lower than normal.
The drought has affected 650,000 farmers and 5.6 million rai of land. Although the dry spell has yet to adversely affect agricultural production, the situation is not safe. From November 1 this year to April 30 next year, the authorities can release 23.57 million cubic metres of water, which should be allocated to 16.62 million rai of farmland. The Agriculture Ministry sets the dry season from November 1 to April 30 every year.
The situation in the Northeast is the worst because the amount of rainfall this year has been lower than normal by 18 per cent. As a result, a total of 31,220 farmers, covering an area of 62,445 rai, are likely to be adversely affected. In spite of the urgency of the situation, the government has yet to take action. Some farmers are idle because they don't have enough water to continue planting. Farmers in the upper part of the Northeast are heavily affected because the recent rainfall has reached only the lower part of the region.
The government commands the biggest vote stronghold in the Northeast, yet it has done little to implement a concrete policy to relieve the plight of affected farmers. The government has so far concentrated on farm subsidy policies that require a lot of money but show no sustainable results. Billions of baht are being spent on these subsidy policies to shore up rice prices and the price of other agricultural produce such as rubber. However, these polocoes have proved to be ineffective in improving the wellbeing of farmers.
When it comes water management, which is an integral part of agricultural activity, the government lacks direction and cannot deal with the problem in a sustainable manner. This reflects the ongoing problem of Thai governments' inability to understand the issue.
The government said last year that it would prefer to let drought happen rather than flooding, because damage caused by floods is likely to have a more severe impact on a wider group of people. Besides, several Cabinet members have vowed to quit their posts if Thailand faces another massive flood disaster.
The drought therefore has been under-reported by the government. This is despite the fact that the public, especially farmers, are aware of the problem and are better prepared to deal with such natural disasters in the wake of government gailings.
The government may be able to distract attention away from the issue for now. But Thailand is entering the dry season and nature has shown how tough it can be. The government has no excuse for failure because it has everything it needs including resources and money. What the government lacks is understanding and the ability to make a determined effort to deal with the problem.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/11/27/govt-ignores-drought-threat-at-its-own-peril/
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