>Ishu1000 at 03:42, 1 June 2021

2021-06-01T03:42:40Z

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'''National Water Policy''' is formulated by the [[Ministry of Water Resources (India)|Ministry of Water Resources]] of the [[Government of India]] to govern the planning and development of water resources and their optimum utilization. The first National Water Policy was adopted in September, 1987.<ref name="NWP2002" /> It was reviewed and updated in 2002 and later in 2012.

India accounts for 18% of the world population and about 4% of the world’s water resources. One of the solutions to solve the country’s water woes is to create [[Indian Rivers Inter-link]].c<ref>http://greencleanguide.com/2013/09/13/national-water-policy/</ref>

India has been successful in creating live water storage capacity of about 253 billion cubic meter(BCM) so far. In a first, the ecological needs of river have also been taken into consideration.

==Salient features==
The major provisions under the policy are:
#Envisages to establish a standardized national information system with a network of data banks and data bases .
#Resource planning and [[recycling]] for providing maximum availability.
#To give importance to the impact of projects on [[human settlement]]s and [[environmental quality|environment]].
#Guidelines for the safety of storage [[dam]]s and other water-related structures.
#Regulate exploitation of [[groundwater]] .
#Setting water allocation priorities in the following order: [[Drinking water]], [[Irrigation]], [[Hydropower]], [[Navigation]], Industrial and other uses.
#The water rates for surface water and ground water should be rationalized with due regard to the interests of small and marginal farmers.
The policy also deals with participation of farmers and voluntary agencies, water quality, water zoning, conservation of water, flood and drought management, erosion etc.<ref name="NWP1987" />

==National Water Policy 2012==
The main emphasis of National Water Policy 2012 is to treat water as ''economic good'' which the ministry claims to promote its conservation and efficient use.<ref>{{cite web|title=Draft National Water Policy (2012) as recommended by National Water Board|url=http://mowr.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/DraftNWP2012_English9353289094.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Water Resources|accessdate=15 August 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227033349/http://mowr.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/DraftNWP2012_English9353289094.pdf|archivedate=27 February 2012}}</ref> This provision intended for the privatization of water-delivery services is being criticized from various quarters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Parsai|first=Gargi|title=Water Policy draft favours privatisation of services|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2820794.ece|accessdate=15 August 2012|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=January 21, 2012}}</ref> The policy also does away with the priorities for water allocation mentioned in 1987 and 2002 versions of the policy. The policy was adopted with a disapproval from many states.

==Critics==
* Paradigm shift in approach from service provider of water to facilitator of service.
* Policy does not deter use among those who can afford to pay for water.
* PPP mode may not ensure equity.
* Policy does not follow polluter pay principle, rather it gives incentives for effluent treatment.
* Policy was criticized for terming Water as an economic good.
* In some regions it has not yet become successful .
* The policy does not focus on the reduction of water pollution.
* The policy doesn't lay out objective for commercial use of water, especially ground water

==See also==
*[[Interstate River Water Disputes Act]]
*[[Groundwater#India|Ground water in India]]
*[[Irrigation in India]]
*[[Water resources in India]]
*[[Water scarcity in India]]
*[[Water supply and sanitation in India]]
*[[Water pollution in India]]

==External links==
*[http://mowr.gov.in/index1.asp?linkid=201&langid=1 National Water Policy (Ministry of Water Resources Site)]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpL1QCM9fuU&feature=g-user-u&context=G2835a03UCGXQYbcTJ33b0tvYrRNFSwQyO7n8Lysb-NO7zwUO1DN8 Prime Minister of India during India Water Week 2012]
* [http://www.indiawaterportal.org/sites/indiawaterportal.org/files/water-_towards_a_paradigm_shift_in_the_twelfth_plan_dr_mihir_shah_planning_commission.pdf Water: Towards a Paradigm Shift in the Twelfth Plan, Planning Commission by Mihir Shah]
* [http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/Publications/IWMI_Research_Reports/index.aspx IWMI Research report nos # 1, 3, 14, 56, 72, 83, 107, 111, 121, 123, 125 etc.]
* [http://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/viewArticle.do?id=147629 Indian climate change from Harappa period.]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="NWP2002">{{cite web|title=National Water Policy 2002|url=http://mowr.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/nwp20025617515534.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Water Resources (GOI)|accessdate=15 August 2012|page=2|date=1 April 2002|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118122915/http://mowr.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/nwp20025617515534.pdf|archivedate=18 January 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="NWP1987">{{cite web|title=National Water Policy 1987|url=http://cgwb.gov.in/documents/nwp_1987.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Water Resources (GOI)|accessdate=15 August 2012|pages=11}}</ref>
}}

{{Policies of India}}

[[Category:Policies of India]]
[[Category:Water in India]]
[[Category:Inter-state disputes in India]]
[[Category:Environmental law in India]]
[[Category:Water conflicts]]
[[Category:Ministry of Water Resources (India)]]

Indian water policy - Revision history

>Ishu1000 at 03:42, 1 June 2021