National Water Policy 2002.

This National Water Policy (NWP) is a sectoral policy document. It addresses the problem of scarcity of water and the need to conserve this resource through optimal, economical, sustainable and equitable means. It presents a review and update of the National Water Policy in 1987 by making some additions and suggestions.
Water scarcity will affect the food production and food security. Changes in agriculture sector proposed in the National Water Policy include: Improvement in water usage efficiency; Adoption of rainwater harvesting and watershed management techniques; Regulate exploitation of groundwater; etc.
Water scarcity will also affect biodiversity and the environment. Major provisions under the policy include: 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 settlements and environment. In the planning and operation of systems, water allocation priorities should be: Drinking water Irrigation Hydro-power Ecology Agro-industries and non-agricultural industries Navigation and other uses. The policy encourages recycling and treatment of industrial wastewater through regulations and subsidies and encourages introduction of new technologies which consume less water. The policy also deals with water quality, water zoning, conservation of water, erosion, etc.
Water scarcity situation will affect most of the people, particularly those who are dependent on agriculture and living in poverty will suffer the most. The policy proposes that 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.
For flood and drought management, there should be a master plan for flood control and management for each flood prone basin. Adequate flood-cushion should be provided in water storage projects to facilitate better flood management. In highly flood prone areas, flood control should be given overriding consideration in reservoir regulation policy. Drought-prone areas should be made less vulnerable to drought-associated problems through soilmoisture conservation measures, water harvesting practices, minimisation of evaporation losses, development of the ground water potential including recharging and the transfer of surface water from surplus areas where feasible and appropriate. In planning water resource development projects, the needs of drought-prone areas should be given priority.