M S Vani

National water framework law – An explanatory note developed by the Sub-Group of Planning Commission’s Working Group on Water Governance for the Twelfth Plan

This note on the national water law provides an account of why a national water law is necessary

Posted on 19 Sep, 2012 05:30 PM

This explanatory note by the Planning Commission on the national water law begins with an account of why a national water law is necessary.

Draft National Water Policy (2012) fails to take into account the multiple, complex problems and issues relating to water in India says M S Vani

The Draft National Water Policy 2012 seems to be an improvement over earlier versions due to a fundamental shift from the ‘project oriented’ approach espoused so far by the bureaucracy and political establishment to a ‘resource’ oriented approach. Water, considered state property due to eminent domain principle, was hitherto seen only in terms of projects- irrigation or multipurpose. Now at least it is defined as a ‘natural resource’.
But what does it really mean, to call water as a ‘natural resource’? What is the relationship we as humans are seeking to establish with this part of nature? What are the relative roles of citizen and state in India towards this resource?

Posted on 18 Mar, 2012 05:49 PM

Guest post by: M S Vani

Perusing the draft, one comes across all the ‘right’ concepts, words liberally sprinkled throughout the document, describing the resource:-

Natural resource
Hydrological cycle
Ecological needs of rivers
Climate change
Sources pollution

and our intended response to it :-

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