"With an average annual rainfall of 1,170 mm, India is one of the wettest countries in the world. Still, even with its rich natural water resources, with more than 300,000 square meters of bodies of water, the country is plagued by environmental issues such as water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides (Sharma, 2005). Another major problem is that tap water is not potable throughout the country. This implies that people, especially those from the lower income bracket, cannot avail of clean drinking water, since these have to be bought. Repugnant as it may sound, it is a reality that millions of Indians queue up everyday at public taps for one of life's most precious commodity — water." -ADB

Saturday 13 March 2010

Water Resources Management-Definition & Food for Thoughts



"India is endowed with a rich and vast diversity of natural resources, water being one of them. Its development and management plays a vital role in agriculture production. Integrated water management is vital for poverty reduction, environmental sustenance and sustainable economic development. National Water Policy (2002) envisages that the water resources of the country should be developed and managed in an integrated manner. "



"
Water Resources Management is an integrating theme for a number of water sub-sectors such as Hydropower, Water Supply and Sanitation, Irrigation and Drainage, and Environment. An integrated water resources (IWRM) perspective ensures that social, economic, environmental and technical dimensions are taken into account in the management and development of water resources. 

Effective development and management of water resources are essential for sustainable growth and poverty reduction. The
East Asia & Pacific (EAP) region is experiencing rapid economic and population growth and migration from rural to urban areas. This severely stresses urban water supply and sanitation systems, increasing competition for surface and ground water resources and deteriorating water quality. The amounts of investment and the attempts to improve water resources management have been grossly inadequate.
The challenges of water resources management have become acute for many of the Bank's EAP borrowers and are increasing as a consequence of rapid population and economic growth. Water quality is deteriorating in rural and urban areas throughout the region due to heavy uncontrolled point source and diffuse pollution. The damages and threats posed by floods and droughts are becoming more severe as development and population pressures mount, and are exacerbated by climate change.

Environmental degradation, including negative impacts on watersheds, wetlands, riverine and lake systems, and coastal and marine systems is widespread, which has also negatively impacted the positive socio-economic benefits of growth. Biodiversity and human health have been severely impacted. The most visible water problems occur in and around cities where competition for surface water and overexploitation of groundwater reserves as well as pollution are common. Beijing/Tianjin, Shanghai, Manila, Jakarta, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City are prime examples of the region's megacities with major and very visible water resources related problems."


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Disclaimer: This Blog is a small step towards building a knowledge-based platform for Professionals interested in "water resources management(WRM)". One of the objective is knowledge dissemination. Please note that VIEWs expressed here are purely personal.