Mexico's proposed plan to pay off its long-standing water debt to the us within five years is ambitious but not substantial. The plan put forward by the national water commission calls for increasing Mexico's annual water payment to the us from 432 million cubic metres to 682 million cubic metres a year for the next five years. However, the report is silent on how it would draw the increased amount of water. Water levels in Mexican rivers where the payments are collected have declined by 71 per cent over the last nine years, the document said. There is said to be rampant illegal exploitation of water reserves. Several conservation measures suggested by the commission include improvements in irrigation technology and city-specific programmes. But there is no mention in the report on how to make these suggestions workable.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.