1.1 Water is a prime natural resource, a basic human need and a precious national asset. Planning,

development and management of water resources need to be governed by national perspectives.

1.2 As per the latest assessment (1993), out of the total precipitation, including snowfall, of around

4000 billion cubic metre in the country, the availability from surface water and replenishable ground water

is put at 1869 billion cubic metre. Because of topographical and other constraints, about 60% of this i.e. 690

billion cubic metre from surface water and 432 billion cubic metre from ground water, can be put to

beneficial use. Availability of water is highly uneven in both space and time. Precipitation is confined to

only about three or four months in a year and varies from 100 mm in the western parts of Rajasthan to over

10000 mm at Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. Rivers and under ground aquifers often cut across state boundaries.

Water, as a resource is one and indivisible: rainfall, river waters, surface ponds and lakes and ground water

are all part of one system.

1.3 Water is part of a larger ecological system. Realising the importance and scarcity attached to the

fresh water, it has to be treated as an essential environment for sustaining all life forms.

1.4 Water is a scarce and precious national resource to be planned, developed, conserved and managed

as such, and on an integrated and environmentally sound basis, keeping in view the socio-economic aspects

and needs of the States. It is one of the most crucial elements in developmental planning. As the country has

entered the 21st century, efforts to develop, conserve, utilise and manage this important resource in a

sustainable manner, have to be guided by the national perspective.

1.5 Floods and droughts affect vast areas of the country, transcending state boundaries. One-sixth area

of the country is drought-prone. Out of 40 million hectare of the flood prone area in the country, on an

average, floods affect an area of around 7.5 million hectare per year. Approach to management of droughts

and floods has to be co-ordinated and guided at the national level.

1.6 Planning and implementation of water resources projects involve a number of socio-economic

aspects and issues such as environmental sustainability, appropriate resettlement and rehabilitation of

project-affected people and livestock, public health concerns of water impoundment, dam safety etc.

Common approaches and guidelines are necessary on these matters. Moreover, certain problems and

weaknesses have affected a large number of water resources projects all over the country. There have been

substantial time and cost overruns on projects. Problems of water logging and soil salinity have emerged in

some irrigation commands, leading to the degradation of agricultural land. Complex issues of equity and

social justice in regard to water distribution are required to be addressed. The development, and overexploitation

of groundwater resources in certain parts of the country have raised the concern and need for

judicious and scientific resource management and conservation. All these concerns need to be addressed on

the basis of common policies and strategies.

1.7 Growth process and the expansion of economic activities inevitably lead to increasing demands for

water for diverse purposes: domestic, industrial, agricultural, hydro-power, thermal-power, navigation,

recreation, etc. So far, the major consumptive use of water has been for irrigation. While the gross

irrigation potential is estimated to have increased from 19.5 million hectare at the time of independence to

about 95 million hectare by the end of the Year 1999-2000, further development of a substantial order is

necessary if the food and fiber needs of our growing population are to be met with. The country’s

population which is over 1027 million (2001 AD) at present is expected to reach a level of around 1390

million by 2025 AD.

1.8 Production of food grains has increased from around 50 million tonnes in the fifties to about 208

million tonnes in the Year 1999-2000. This will have to be raised to around 350 million tonnes by the year

2025 AD. The drinking water ne