254 THE FUTURE OF ARID LANDS 
ent tractsin the Bhakra Project area which is a typical arid region. 
It is seen that in addition to the above points water requirements 
for various crops depend upon: (2) nature of crop, (4) intensity of 
irrigation, (c) Kharif-Rabi ratio, (d) size of holding. 
With regard to the above points, it would be useful to establish 
research stations and agricultural farms in the particular regions 
concerned to conduct field experiments, collect information, and 
render the necessary advice. 
Other Improvements 
The re-use of water arises only in the case of domestic and 
industrial needs. As McClellan has suggested, surely all possible 
ways must be considered for the re-use of water. I may add that 
after domestic and municipal use the same water, after suitable 
treatment, can be re-used for purposes of irrigation. This has been 
tried in some parts of India with good results. 
I venture to make another suggestion for supplementing the 
water resources in arid and semi-arid regions. We should study 
the feasibility and economics of diverting the supplies from some 
rivers to basins in the neighboring regions. In India the Rajasthan 
desert is supplied with water for irrigation and other purposes 
from neighboring states. 
Because water is so scarce in arid regions it would be advisable 
to collect rain water for domestic use even on house tops. Yet 
another source is dew. Israel has developed some techniques to 
take advantage of dew for meeting in part the water requirements 
of plants. Experiments for producing artificial rain should be 
pursued in an effort to make it a commercial proposition. 
Concluding, I would say that the socio-economic conditions of 
the agricultural population have to be improved if better use of 
the limited resources available in the arid regions is to be made. 
Cooperatives for financial assistance and for proper distribution 
of land should be set up. The colonization of such areas must 
simultaneously be taken up with financial assistance from the 
State. Communication and transport tacilities must be provided. 
I have a firm belief that proper utilization of present resources 
in arid and semi-arid lands is one of the more effective solutions to 
provide food for the increasing population of the world. 
