Also view critique of National Water Policy (2002) by Ranjit Devraj, a correspondent with Inter Press Service. He feels that the new Policy emphasises continued government control over water resources, ignoring pleas by environmental groups to involve local communities in order to overcome looming water shortages. Read more
Assam state water policy is prescribed in accordance to the guidelines and general directions in the National Water Policy - 2002, keeping in view the specific necessity for the State of Assam. In view of the inter-State water disputes, the State Water Policy has specific importance. The Policy envisages a long-term water resource management program designed to develop a critical mass of indigenous productivity with the requisite technical , economic and sociocultural means for sustainable development.
It adopts integrated water resource management as a core strategy, based on the principles of water as a finite resource, need to use a participatory approach, the crucial role of men and women, ensuring clean water for human health and looking at water both as an economic and social good. The first priority in the strategy would, however, be development of a systematic knowledge base to examine the current understanding of integrated freshwater management quantitatively and qualitatively.
In the planning and operation of the systems, water allocation priorities would be broadly as follows: (1) Drinking and domestic use (2) Sustaining livelihoods - aquaculture, cottage industries (3) Sustaining environment, maintaining river systems, wetland systems and aquatic life (4) Irrigation and hydropower (5) Agro-based and rural industries (6) Thermal power and industries (7) Recreation and religious uses and (8) Navigation and other uses.
The detailed action program on the following are provided –
The policy also details the proposed strategic administrative initiatives and institutional mechanisms -
Himachal Pradesh state water policy, 2005
Himachal Pradesh state water policy was brought out in 2005 as the efforts to develop, conserve, utilize and manage this important resource in a sustainable manner have to be guided by the State's perspective.
In Himachal Pradesh availability of water is highly uneven in both space and time. Planning and implementation of water related projects has many socio-economic aspects and issues such as environmental sustainability, resettlement and rehabilitation of project-affected people and livestock, public health concerns of water impoundment, dam safety etc. The State Water Policy provides clear guidelines on these matters.
Moreover, certain problems and weaknesses have affected the water resources projects that have been implemented or are in the process of implementation in the State. Complex issues of equity and social justice in regard to water usage and distribution have to be addressed systematically. The development and exploitation of the groundwater resources in the state have raised concerns about the need for scientific management and conservation.
Some points made in the State Water Policy are –
Karnataka state water policy (2002) provides an overview of the water resource situation and addresses the likely problem of serious destabilization of the water sector affecting the hydrology, economy and ecology in the State. The need for the State Water Policy, key issues and future vision are underlined.
As regards institutional arrangement, for multi-sectoral water planning, inter-sectoral water allocation, planning of water development programmes, management decisions, and resolution of water resources issues, a State Water Resources Board will be established. The Water Resources Development Organization will act, as technical secretariat for the State Water Resources Board. A State Water Resources Data and Information Center will also be established.
In planning and operation of water resources projects, water allocation priorities shall be broadly as follows: a. Drinking water b. Irrigation c. Hydropower d. Aquaculture e. Agro industries f. Non-Agricultural Industries and g. Navigation and other uses. For implementing the above aspects, an action agenda is proposed, some action points being -
Kerala in 2008 declared its water policy acknowledging water as a public resource and asserting the right of the citizens for access to the resource. Water could indeed become a very scarce commodity in future due to global warming and consequent climate change. No longer can the abundant availability of water for its mounting needs be taken for granted. Conserving all water resources in the best way possible, coordinating the efforts of various government agencies and involving the people themselves in the task, has now become a crucial necessity, according to the policy document.
Kerala shall not enter into any new water transfer pacts with neighbouring States without the consent of the State legislature. The policy stipulates treating each river basin as a unit while planning water conservation measures and deciding how the resources on hand shall be apportioned among various consumer groups. The first priority is for domestic consumers. Next in the list are the farmers, followed by power generation, agro-processing sector and industrial/commercial customers, in that order. Commercial use of water is to be subjected to stringent regulations.
Existing laws and rules on the use of water required a thorough review in the light of the policy, formulated by the government after several rounds of discussions with experts and all stakeholders. The policy proposes new laws for setting up River and Wetland Authority and regulating groundwater exploitation. The policy specifies measures against the delays that have become a norm, rather than an exception, in the execution of drinking water and irrigation projects in Kerala.
It says that no more big irrigation projects are advisable for the State. The focus henceforth shall be on small projects, especially lift irrigation schemes that can reduce water wastage. Rainwater harvesting, protection of forest cover, preventing water pollution with stringent penal provisions against the polluters, checking saline water intrusion into inland water sources and strengthening research are some of the other focus areas mentioned in the water policy.
The major objectives of this policy are to:
Madhya Pradesh state water policy, 2003
Madhya Pradesh state water policy (2003) has been prescribed in accordance to the guidelines and general directions in the National Water Policy, keeping in view the specific necessity for the State of Madhya Pradesh.
A few key points from the policy are -
Government of Maharashtra has announced state water policy in July 2003, which ensures sustainable development, efficient management and optimal use of scarce water resources in a manner to maintain importance of ecological values within rivers and adjoining lands in order to provide economic and social benefits to the people.
The key issues dealt with in the Maharashtra State Water Policy are –
Orissa state water policy (2007) supersedes the state water policy (1994) in the light of the fact that a number of developments have taken place and new information and knowledge have been generated and new issues and challenges have emerged in the field of development and management of water resources. It proclaims that water is a prime natural resource, a basic human need and a precious national asset.
The policy approved by the state water resources board aims at laying down the principles of equitable and judicious use of water for survival of life, welfare of human beings and sustained as well as balanced growth of the State. It makes the following points –
Punjab state water policy was first adopted in May 1997 on the lines of National Water Policy-1987 (NWP-1987) and was updated in 2002 as a number of issues and challenges had emerged during last two decades in the development and management of the water resources. Since Punjab has also been facing serious challenges in management of utilization of its water resources, it has reviewed and updated its existing water policy.
The state water policy envisions that available water resources should be utilized efficiently and judiciously to meet drinking water needs and irrigation requirements in a manner that also promotes its conservation and engenders community participation. It seeks to make water everybody’s business and to catch rainwater where it falls or where it can be used optimally. Besides, the harnessing of water for commercial, industrial and hydro-power generation, its usage must take place in a sustainable manner ensuring desired quality of water. The policy also seeks to ensure that water, which is an essential requirement for sustaining all forms of life, is given due importance as a part of a larger ecological system.
Within the overall vision, the State Water Policy-2008 as enunciated hereinafter aims to achieve the following objectives -
The water allocation priorities in planning and operation of systems shall be as follows - Drinking water, Ecology, Irrigation, Hydro-power, Thermal power, Agro-Industry, Other Industries and other uses.
Except for drinking water, these priorities may be modified, if warranted for any area or region specific considerations keeping in view the ecology of that area or region after scientifically studying the requirements of water for various purposes i.e. drinking water, irrigation, power generation, industrial and other uses. Read draft policy
Rajasthan state water policy- Draft 2008
Draft Rajasthan state water policy (2008) is a further revision of Rajasthan state water policy (1999), Draft state water policy (2005) and the National water policy (2002). The most important new additions in the previous water policy are –
Rajasthan draft state water policy (2005) takes into account the requirement of utilising all available water resources, surface and ground, in a judicious and equitable, as well as sound economic manner.
The main sections of the policy are: The need for a state water policy, information system, maximising water availability, project planning, maintenance and modernisation, safety of structures, groundwater development, water allocation priorities, drinking water, irrigation water, water rates, participation of water users, water quality monitoring, water conservation and efficiency of utilisation, flood control and drainage management, drought management, training and education and legislation and regulation.
The state water policy would fulfill certain water resource development and management objectives related to the development of water resources to the maximum possible extent, through an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach towards irrigation and drainage projects, and sound allocation of water resources to different sectors, providing flood protection and drainage facilities.
The policy mentions of the actions to be taken for maximising water availability:
Water allocation priorities are to be drinking water, irrigation, power generation and industrial and other uses in that order. However, these priorities might be modified if necessary in particular regions with reference to area specific considerations. The policy specifies that the demands of drinking water, irrigation, power generation, industrial and other uses shall be studied scientifically for appropriate development and allocation of funds. Read policy
Rajasthan state water policy is governed by the state's perspectives on utilising all available water resources, surface and ground, in a judicious and equitable, as well as sound economic manner. The policy has been formulated with the following water resources development and management objectives:
In the planning and operation of systems, water allocation priorities shall be drinking water, irrigation, power generation and industrial and other uses in that order. However, these priorities might be modified if necessary in particular regions with reference to area specific considerations, and they may be different in the context of allocating water to existing consumers than in the context of planning the development of water resources for new consumers.
A detailed methodology for multi-priority analysis shall be developed for decision making in the Central Planning Authority to enable prioritisation in water resources planning and management. The demands of drinking water, irrigation, power generation, industrial and other uses shall be studied scientifically for appropriate development and allocation of funds.Read policy
The policy deals with planning and development of water resources of the state governed by the development perceptions of the state. Water for drinking and domestic use has the highest priority while allocating the water resource of the state. The state has to provide adequate drinking water facilities (both for people and livestock) to the entire population in both urban and rural areas upto the year 2025. Sanitation facilities for entire population in urban areas and most of the rural areas should also be provided.
The broad objectives of the water policy for Uttar Pradesh shall be:
The success of the state water policy will depend entirely on the development and maintenance of general consensus and commitments to its underlying principles and objectives. Read policy