Watar Resoucers in India: Critical Issurs and S'l Ratrcic Options
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Date
2011
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Abstract
Avdilahilily of safe (Ir'mkiiiy^ woicr i.s inodniiiolc. Scvci'c uuilcr shoiioycs hove
already led la a ^rowiny, nimiher o f conflicis between users (ay,riciillure, industry,
domestic), intra-state and inter-state. Erneryiny^ cliallenyes include nianayeinent o f
existing in f'astrnctnrc and o f the water resource itself ll'ater reform in India mostly
focuses on organizational issues rather than the instruments that govern the
relationship between the regulator and the user. Pm\'ision of canal irrigation and
water supple services in India has largely remained with the government agencies.
Absence o f enforceable water entitlements at all levels is at the root of service
shortcomings, water use inefficiency, un-regulated groundwater extraction,
negligence of traditional and low-cost water bodies, financial jirobleins and conflicts
which plague the water sector. Faced with poor water supply services, farmers and
urban awellers luive resorted to helping themselves by pumping out groundwater,
which has ied to rapidly declining water tables: in coasted areas this trend has led to
salinity ingress, hinancial crunch has also led to an enormous backlog of
maintenance and thereby, inadeeptate /; rformance levels o f irrigation projects. India
reepu'res proper design and effective ex ’cution of suitable strategic options. Water is
emerging as a national challenge and its most efficient management has to be given
top priority in order to meet the future demands of food grains for a fast growing
population. Managing water resources is more iin/iortant than managing material
wealth.