Discussion and concerns of Rural Volunteers Centre, Akajan on the proposed state water policy of Assam (2008)

Government of Assam had prepared a draft state water policy in 2008, with support of the Assam Science Technology & Environment Council. The Rural Volunteers Centre, Akajan, an organization working in the water sector in Assam since 1993, had prepared this document outlining its concerns on the proposed state water policy based on its involvement, studies and observation.

The draft state water policy had included the state water related issues and concerns like - demand management, conservation and efficiency of utilization of the water resources, integrated planning for maximizing water usability, water allocation for various uses, drinking water and water for domestic use, river life, wetlands and water bodies, pollution and environment etc. The document also proposed some action plans for resolving the crisis and issues - such as partnership with communities in water resources management, water quality and quantity monitoring, financing projects and water service charges, safety and many others.

Some of the concerns raised by the RVC include –

• The geopolitical set-up of Assam is very much critical and sensitive, the environmental and natural resource management closely associated with the environment and climate of the surrounding states. So, the water policy of all these states or neighboring countries need to concern or a regional policy needs to develop.
• The global economy has changed terribly, market becomes the central focus of all the activities, but the important point in this concern is that the rural population of Assam is not really ready to cope up with the emerging situation, so careful studies needed to be done before generalizing the situation or imposing policies very much based on the externally imported ideas.
• Global climate changes rapidly, Assam has influenced by this change, the rain fall pattern changes, the temperature and humidity have also changed a lot, in some localities in the Brahmaputra valley it is clearly felt, so the sustainability should include this type extreme distress condition.
• The Government has already introduced several integrated approaches to manage water resources of the state so before adopting final state water policy a through assessment and detailed review should be carried out to understand the present status of the programs.
• The community based water resource management particularly in the rural areas of Assam is an important chapter that the policy should acknowledge; these methods are sustainable as well as easily maintainable without depending upon the external inputs

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