National Water Resources Council Adopts National Water Policy (2012)yearbook material

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Water is a natural resource, fundamental to life, livelihood, food security and sustainable

development. It is also a scarce resource. India has more than 17 percent of the world‟s

population, but has only 4% of world‟s renewable water resources with 2.6% of world‟s land

area. There are further limits on utilizable quantities of water owing to uneven distribution

over time and space. In addition, there are challenges of frequent floods and droughts in one

or the other part of the country. With a growing population and rising needs of a fast

developing nation as well as the given indications of the impact of climate change,

availability of utilizable water will be under further strain in future with the possibility of

deepening water conflicts among different user groups. Low consciousness about the

scarcity of water and its life sustaining and economic value results in its mismanagement,

wastage, and inefficient use, as also pollution and reduction of flows below minimum

ecological needs. In addition, there are inequities in distribution and lack of a unified

perspective in planning, management and use of water resources. The objective of the

National Water Policy is to take cognizance of the existing situation, to propose a framework

for creation of a system of laws and institutions and for a plan of action with a unified

national perspective.

 concerns

(i) Large parts of India have already become water stressed

(ii) Issues related to water governance have not been addressed adequately

(iii) There is wide temporal and spatial variation in availability of water

(iv) Climate change may also increase the sea levels

(v) Access to safe water for drinking and other domestic needs still continues to be a
problem in many areas.


(vi) Groundwater, though part of hydrological cycle and a community resource, is still
perceived as an individual property


(vii) Water resources projects, though multi-disciplinary with multiple stakeholders, are being
planned and implemented in a fragmented manner without giving due consideration to
optimum utilization, environment sustainability and holistic benefit to the people.

(viii) Inter-regional, inter-State, intra-State, as also inter-sectoral disputes in sharing of water,
strain relationships and hamper the optimal utilization of water through scientific planning on
basin/sub-basin basis.


important recommendations

IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL WATER POLICY
RESEARCH & TRAINING NEEDS
DATABASE & INFORMATION SYSTEM
TRANS-BOUNDARY RIVERS
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION
MANAGEMENT OF FLOOD & DROUGHT
PROJECT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
CONSERVATION OF RIVER CORRIDORS, WATER BODIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE