Policy Issues Related to Rainwater Management in Semi -Arid India

摘要

Due to depleted surface water resources and overexploitation of groundwater resources, semi-arid region in India is in the throes of a major water crisis; one that it is not prepared to face. The water table is declining drastically due to excessive drawl and reduction in the recharge of groundwater, and its quality is deteriorating. Much of western and peninsular India will suffer from acute water scarcity in the next 25 years due to fluctuating ephemeral flows in the peninsular and coastal rivers; conflicts around water will intensify at the local, meso and regional level; about 25 % of India's harvest will be at risk from groundwater depletion and contamination; and water scarcity would soon emerge as a binding constraint on India's progress. The National Water Policy (1987) and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act amended in 1988 and implemented to meet the above challenges, failed to make much headway. Recently, the Ministry of Water Resources has set up a National Commission for Integrated Water Resources Development Plan both for the surface and groundwater, which has identified the integrated management and development of water resources, the optimal use of developed resources, and the preservation and augmentation of the transfer of water resources from surplus region to water deficit areas, as the key action points. However, the key policy issues such as strengthening water resources database, pricing of water, inter-state sharing of river water, water transfer, development of mega-hydel projects, maintenance of a minimal flow, maintenance of water quality, demand management, reallocation of water, climate change and institutional constraints are yet to be addressed for management of surface and groundwater resources in the country.