Culture Inspired Public Policy: Cultural Dimensions in Water Resource Management and Policy Interventions.

Presented by Dr. Amaranadha Reddy Manchuri, Ph.D. at XIX International Conference on Public Policy & Management hosted by the Centre for Public Policy at IIM Bangalore was held on August 27 - 29, 2024.

In this work, we present the need for cultural dimensions as a core component of the public policy process. Culture and the relevance of cultural dimensions in public policy are briefly discussed. A case of ‘water resource management’ is presented to set out cultural considerations for public policy.

Cultural and Genetic features determine most human actions, thoughts, responses, social solidarity, and decisions. The Cultural features determine individual and various levels of collectivists; while the Genetic features mostly manifest in the individual physiological thoughts and actions. Cultural values have a deeper association with the evolution of civilization, social structure, solidarity, leadership, community resilience, and civic consciousness. The success of strategic actions and policy initiatives relies on how well cultural values are understood and embraced. National cultural orientations play a significant role in shaping public policy processes, socioeconomic behavior, civilian participation, foreign affairs, transnational relations, and the narratives regarding development policy. Therefore, it is essential to take into account the cultural dimensions of a nation and its stakeholders when developing public policies and strategies for implementation.

Policymakers often relate an approach to a particular situation or issue from the perspective of a problem-solving process. In most cases, they view the situations through their own cultural ‘lenses’, without sufficient consideration of local knowledge, native value orientations, and their cultural perspectives. This ventures in the loss of vital features of cultural dimensions of a society including indigenous knowledge, identity, resilience, and selfhood which determines significantly the citizen's behavior.

In Bharatiya tradition संस्कारोति इति संस्कृति ः৷ (saMskaroti iti Samskruti) i.e., ‘Form or arrange according to sacred precept’ is ‘Samskruti’; often referred as ‘Culture’ although it is not a literal equivalent. Etymologically the Latin root word ‘Culture’, has over 150 formal meanings. The ‘Culture’ consists of behavioral patterns embodied in artifacts and traits that are fully acquired, such as knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law, customs, capabilities, and habits, and the essential core of culture is made up of ideas and their attached values that have been historically derived and selected (Kluckhohn and Kroeber, 1963). Rao and Walton in their edited volume on ‘Culture and Public Action’ contend that: ‘culture is about relationality— the relationships among individuals within groups, among groups, and between ideas and perspectives. Culture is concerned with identity, aspiration, symbolic exchange, coordination, and structures and practices that serve relational ends, such as ethnicity, ritual, heritage, norms, meanings, and beliefs (Rao and Walton, 2002: 4).

Anthology from Atharva Veda 19.41.1 elaborates on the concept of Rashtram (Cultural

Nationhood).

भद्रमि च्छन्त ऋषयः स्वर्वि दस्तपो दीक्षामुपनि षेदुरग्रे। ततो राष्ट्रं बलमोजश्च जातं तदस्मै देवा

उपसंनमन्तु॥19.41.1॥

Bhadram icchanta rishayah swarvidah; tapo deeksham upanishedush agre |

tato rashtram balam ojashca jaatam; tadasmai devah uasannamantu || (Atharva Veda 19.41.1)

The deep penance that self-realized sages did at the dawn of creation, after receiving initiation, for the world's welfare, led to the building of the nation; national power, and luster. Let all aware denizens, therefore, bow in reverence and humility to this nation and serve it.

Essentially, national culture is a set of shared values, beliefs, customs, and traditions that are influenced by civilization, ethnicity, geography, and heritage. The culture of a nation has a stronger emotional and symbolic influence on the behavior and values of its citizens. In turn, it is a unifying force that binds a nation and its people together. It is a powerful tool for nations to use in their international relations, as well as a source of pride and identity for its citizens and institutions.

According to Chanakya’s Arthashastra, Saptanga theory successful adoption of strategies and public policies of a state driven by the mobilized collectivities and actions of Swami (The Ruler), Amathya (Ministeries), and Janapada (citizens and territory). The remaining four facets i.e., Durga (the fort); Kosha (treasury); Danda (the army); and Mitra (the allies) are considered pivotal in operationalizing the state policies. (Verma, 2018). Primarily the core values arise and constitute the sense of identity for collectivities. While a particular collectively is determined by the key stakeholders' core cultural values and common interests, the resilience and collectivity impact of a group of stakeholders is grounded on the strength of shared purpose and collective cultural values in a state i.e. National Culture or Nationhood.

Developing a deeper understanding of a nation's cultural dimensions, value orientations, and indices of interactions with its citizens facilitates creating frameworks and shaping policies accordingly. There exists a coherence between the public policy framework and its key drivers including cultural systems, jurisprudence and legitimacy, polity, and governance.

● ‘Cultural systems’ determine what outcomes a public policy will achieve.

● Assuring 'Jurisprudence and Legitimacy' within prevailing cultural systems is a

desirable public policy objective in and of itself.

● Synergetic actions of ‘Polity’ and public policy play a key role in sustaining the

cultural systems.

● ‘Governance’, and public policy choices influence culture and feedback systems, that

lead to future dimensions of public policy choices.

Culture, Civilization, and Water Resource Management:

Globally governments are addressing the most common key challenges including water, food and nutrition, health care, environment, energy, education, economy, security, infrastructure development, etc. To strike a balance between the development and well-being of humanity and nature, there is a need for an integral, collective, synergetic, systemic, and conscious approach. For instance, water has been the lifeblood of civilization and is vital for human existence. It is estimated that an exorbitant quantity of water is essential to continue life on Earth in the 21st century. However, less than 1% of earth’s water is considered fresh enabling humanity to achieve its desires, the remaining 2% is in glaciers, and 97% is found in oceans. Thus freshwater became the most important resource for civilization to bloom and flourish.

According to a recent report by the NITI Aayog, India has 18% of the world’s population, but only 4% of its water resources, making it among the most water-stressed in the world. As per the UN World Water Development Report 2022, India is among the top ten countries with the highest shares in global groundwater withdrawal. Recent water management index indicates India’s annual precipitation received is about 4000 billion cubic meters (BCM), Water Resources Potential is 1869 BCM (46.7%), Utilizable Water Resources is 1123 BCM (28.1%), Ground Water is 433 BCM (10.8%) and the Surface Water is 690 BCM (17.2%). Traditional water resource management systems have declined in recent years due to the excessive dependency on bore/ tube wells. As per the 6th Minor Irrigation (MI) Census, the total number of groundwater schemes/ structures in India is 2,19,32,799 (Dugwell – 82,78,425; Shallow Tubewell – 55,85,839; Medium Tubewell – 43,18,275 & Deep Tubewell - 37,50,260), mark India as the top country in the world with the maximum number of tubewells. Though these structures have become an important source for millions, with the exponential withdrawal of these reserves, the pristine groundwater quality also become its victim. Despite numerous planned efficient water management systems to conserve, distribute, and utilize water resources; the Central Soil and Mineral Research Institute reported that by 2050 water availability per person will decrease by 20% and the total water demand will increase to 32%. Consequently, there will be a substantial negative impact on the country's natural ecosystems and biodiversity.

Key instances for consideration:

1. Comprehensive and effective management of water resources requires an understanding of the complex relationships in the water cycle (Di Baldassarre et al. 2019)

2. Effective management of water resources is critical to achieving sustainable development since water issues are relevant to various SDGs.

3. Policymakers tend to develop water policies and strategies that only partially incorporate cultural aspects but focus on technical solutions and economic efficiency (Hawken et al. 2021; Pahl-Wostl et al. 2007; Rajabi 2023).

4. Propose policies and approaches to water resources management in the region that

incorporate cultural dimensions.

Bharat is one of the most sustained hydraulic civilizations in the world. Hydrologic knowledge in the region has a historical footprint extending over several millenniums through the Harappan civilization (∼3000–1500 BCE) and the Vedic Period (∼1500–500 BCE). The Vedas, particularly, the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda, have many references to the water cycle and associated processes, including water quality, hydraulic machines, hydro-structures, and nature-based solutions (NBS) for water management. For instance, Rigveda/10/137/6 mentions आप: सर्वस्य भेषज:৷ (apah sarvasya bheshajh) i.e., Water is sanative for all.

आप इद् वा उ भेषजीर्आपो अमीवचातनीः |

आपः सर्वस्य भेषजीस्तास्तेकृण्वन्तुभेषजम्|| (Rigveda/10/137/6)

The Waters have their healing power, the Waters drive disease away. The Waters have a balm for all: let them make medicine for thee.

The Harappan civilization epitomizes the level of development of water sciences in Bhatrat including the construction of sophisticated hydraulic structures, wastewater disposal systems based on centralized and decentralized concepts, and methods for wastewater treatment. The Mauryan Empire (∼322–185 BCE) is credited as the first “hydraulic civilization” and is characterized by the construction of dams with spillways, reservoirs, and channels equipped with spillways (Pynes and Ahars); they also had an understanding of water balance, development of water pricing systems, measurement of rainfall, and knowledge of the various hydrological processes. The Kautilya’s Arthashastra deals with several governance issues, including water governance. The Arthashastra also gives an extensive account of hydraulic structures built for irrigation and other purposes during the Mauryan Empire (Shamasastry, 1961).

Culture and community ownership are interconnected factors significantly influencing water resource management practices. Culture, as a shared set of beliefs, values, customs, and traditions, shapes how communities perceive, use, and manage water resources. On the other hand, community ownership refers to local communities' involvement and participation in water management decision-making and implementation processes.

Key intersections between culture and community ownership in water resource

management include:

● Cultural Values and Water Use: Cultural beliefs and practices significantly influence water allocation, conservation efforts, and pollution control measures. For example, some cultures may view water as a sacred and scarce resource for prudent use, while others may prioritize its economic value.

● Traditional Knowledge and Water Resource Management: Many communities possess

traditional knowledge and practices related to water management, which can be valuable in adapting to changing environmental conditions and promoting sustainable water use.

● Community-Based Water Management (CBWM): CBWM is a participatory approach that empowers communities to take ownership of their water resources. Cultural factors like trust, cooperation, and shared values are crucial for successful CBWM initiatives.

● Water Governance and Community Participation: Cultural norms and values can shape

the governance structures and decision-making processes related to water management. By involving communities in these processes, it is possible to ensure that water policies and practices are aligned with local needs and cultural values.

Indigenous knowledge, traditional technologies, and approaches supported by cultural aspects are useful to adapt to the effects caused by climate change through coupling with state-of-the-art technology. They use energy efficiently, absorb carbon gases, mitigate climate change, provide leisure space, and preserve ecosystems. Economic analysis and technological development are needed to further promote these.

Key policy highlights for mainstreaming Cultural Dimensions in Water Resource

Management:

1. Policymakers should incorporate cultural aspects into technical and economic frameworks for comprehensive water resource management.

2. Community-led local decision-making should be emphasized to enhance governance through active community participation.

3. Merging indigenous knowledge and traditional practices with modern technology is crucial for enhancing biodiversity, and climate resilience and underscoring the significant

environmental benefits.

4. It is essential to advocate for the preservation and transfer of traditional knowledge across generations.

In conclusion, culture is an essential component of effective water resource management. By understanding and respecting cultural perspectives, and by empowering communities to participate in decision-making processes, it is possible to promote sustainable water use and ensure equitable access to this vital resource.

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