Karnataka State Water Policy 2022.

The Karnataka state water policy strives to address the new challenges that have evolved in the past decades and adopts an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach. The goal of the policy is to facilitate the water security and optimal utilisation of the State’s water resources for health, food, energy, environment and other societal purposes. This includes improving health of watersheds and waterbodies, sustainable groundwater management, improving governance, better knowledge systems and participation of women.
The strategies include priorities of water use, with domestic use at the highest priority followed by Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries, Hydro-power, Industry, Ecology and other uses; management of water infrastructure for irrigation and formation of Dam Safety Organisation; modernising irrigation systems and improving use efficiency. For Agriculture, livestock and allied sectors, strategies include monitoring of Water Productivity; providing incentives for Natural, Organic and Zero Budget farming; encouraging fisheries and aquaculture in water logged, saline lands and brackish water area; and promotion of green fodder production & efficient use of water to reduce wastage. The policy promotes re-cycling and reuse of treated waste water and rainwater harvesting.
The policy proposes Karnataka Water Resources Information System as a state wide data collection and information dissemination system. Multi-sectoral water resources planning will be undertaken at a river basin or sub-basin level. All water sector projects will undergo economic justification and Environmental Impact Assessment. The policy promotes conjunctive use of surface and ground water for ensure sustainable use of water resources. Flood and drought management strategies are laid out and preparation of State Specific Action Plan for Climate Change is envisaged. The policy promotes community involvement such as Participatory irrigation management and capacity building for various stakeholders. A High-Level Water Policy Committee will be set-up to provide policy guidance, coordination and performance review of implementation of the policy.