Policies and laws related to water bodies, water pollution and regulation - A collection

India Water Portal has recently uploaded a set of important policies and laws. This collection pertains to water bodies, water pollution and regulation and more.

Policies related to conservation of water bodies

Guidelines for repair, renovation and restoration of water bodies with external assistance and domestic support - Ministry of Water Resources (2009)

These two documents by the Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) provide information and details on the 'Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies' scheme that has been launched by the Ministry under the state sector, one with domestic budgetary support and the other with external assistance.The documents go on to describe the details of the schemes and provide guidelines on the steps that need to be undertaken for planning and implementation of  projects under this scheme. The documents can be accessed from this link

Guidelines for the national lake conservation plan - Ministry of Environment and Forests (2008)

This document by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) provides information on the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP), launched by the Government of India, which aims at restoring the water quality and ecology of the lakes in different parts of the country. It includes information on the scheme and highlights the points that need to be considered while applying for the scheme. The documents can be accessed from this link

 Model bill to regulate and control the development of groundwater - Ministry of Water Resources (1996)

This document is a model bill for the regulation and control of the groundwater. It provides the details of the definitions and the process of implementation of the bill. The document can be accessed from this link

 The Maharashtra groundwater (regulation for drinking water purposes) act - International Environmental Law Research Centre (1993)

The document describes the Maharashtra Groundwater Act, which is an Act to regulate the exploitation of groundwater for the protection of public drinking water sources and includes the details of :

• Short title and commencement of the Act
• Definitions of the terms used in the Act
• Protection measures for public drinking water sources

The document can be accessed from this link

Maharashtra Act No. XVIII - Water Resources Department (2005)

The document describes the details of the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act and includes:

• Short title, extent and commencement
• Definitions of the terms used in the Act
• Establishment and incorporation of the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority
• Powers functions and duties of the authority
• Permission of River Basin Agency, State Water Planning
• Accounts, audits and reports
• Special powers of authority for removal of backlog as per Governer's directives

The document can be accessed from this link

 Water Policies

National Water Mission - National Action Plan on Climate Change - Volume I and II - Ministry of Water Resources (2009,2008).

This comprehensive mission document by the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) highlights the objective of the National Water Mission, which is to conserve water through minimising wastage and ensuring equitable distribution of water across and within states through integrated water resources development and management. The document is presented in two volumes.

Volume I

Volume II

The document can be accessed from this link

National Water Policy - Ministry of Water Resources (2002)

This document by the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), highlights the importance of water for human existence as well as for all economic and development related activities. It addresses the problem of scarcity of water and the need to conserve this resource through optimal, economical, sustainable and equitable means. It presents a review and update of the National Water Policy in 1987 by making some additions and suggestions.

The document emphasises the need for periodic modifications in the water policy. This is in terms of planning and management of water resources by taking into consideration the changes in economic, social, climatic, demographic situation of the country and the urgent need to conserve the available water resources.

The document can be accessed from this link

Policy on Rain Water Harvesting - Department of Water Resources (Government of Goa) (2008)

This document provides the details of the Rainwater Harvesting policy for the State of Goa and is aimed at providing guidance to all the concerned departments for the implementation of the policy in the state and information to the public.
The document provides information on:

• The definition and the scope of rainwater harvesting
• Mandatory provisions of the policy
• Incentives provided for adopting rainwater harvesting in the form of subsidies and awards
• Amendment of Bye-laws
• Nodal officers concerned
• Proceedures for releasing subsidies

The document can be accessed from this link

Guidelines/rules for prevention and control of water pollution

The water (prevention and control of pollution) rules - Ministry of Environment and Forests (1975)

This document provides information on the rules underlying the section 63 of the Water (prevention and control of pollution) act.

The document can be accessed from this link

The water (prevention and control of pollution) act - Ministry of Environment and Forests (1974)

This Act provides for the prevention and control of water pollution and the maintainance/restoration of  the wholesomeness of water; and aids in the establishment of a board,  which possesses the powers and functions of conducting activities and interventions in the context of prevention and control of water pollution. The document provides the details of the steps to be undertaken to implement the Act.

The document can be accessed from this link

The water (prevention and control of pollution) cess act - Ministry of Environment and Forests (1977)

This document provides the details of the act to provide for the levy and collection of a cess on water consumed by persons owning certain industries and by local authorities, with a view to augment the resources of the central board and the state boards for the prevention and control of water pollution constituted under The water (prevention and control of pollution) act, 1974.
The document goes on to provide the details of the Act.

The document can be accessed from this link

 The water (prevention and control of pollution) cess (amendment) act - Ministry of Environment and Forests (2003)

This document is an amendment of the earlier Act in 1977 and includes Amendment of Section 2 and Modification of section 16. The document can be accessed from this link

Water (prevention and control of pollution) cess rules - Ministry of Environment and Forests (1978)

The document presents the details of the cess rules, 1978 and includes:

• A short title, commencement and the definition of terms in the cess act
• Information on the standards of the meters and places where they are to be affixed
• Deadline for furnishing of returns
• Manner of payment of the cess to the central government and the time within which it shall be paid
• Rebate
• Powers to be exercised by the officer or the authority of the state government under section 9
• Authority to impose penalty under section 11
• Appeal

The document can be accessed from this link

Water regulation and control acts/policies/guidelines

Andhra Pradesh water resources regulatory commission act - Andhra Pradesh Water Reforms (2009)

This document describes the Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Regulatory Commission Act and includes:

• A short title and information on the extent and commencement
• Definition of the terms used in the Act
• Details of the Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Regulatory Commission
• Powers, functions and duties of the Commission
• Accounts, audit and reports 

The document can be accessed from this link

Article 246 , 262 - Ministry of Water Resources (Government of India) (2010)

The website by the Ministry of Water Resources includes the details of Article  246 and 262. The details of the two documents can be accessed from this link

Entry 56 of List I and Entry 17 under list II of seventh schedule - Ministry of Water Resources (2010)

The website by the Ministry of Water Resources includes the details of Entry 56 of List I and Entry 17 under List II. The details of the two documents can be accessed from this link

Institutional Arrangements - Ministry of Water Resources (2010)

This document informs of the mechanisms through which development, conservation and management functions related to water as a natural resource are carried out in India.

The document provides the details of the institutions responsible for water management:

• At the central level
• At the state level

The document can be accessed from this link

Orissa water tariff revision - The Orissa Gazette - Housing and Urban Development Department (2005)

This document provides the details of the revisions suggested in the water tariff for domestic, industrial, commercial and institutional consumers and of sewerage maintainance charges in urban areas. The document can be accessed from this link