Water governance : challenges and prospects / editors, Amarjit Singh, Dipankar Saha and Avinash C. Tyagi

Includes bibliographical references

Water governance issues in India -- Constitutional provisions related to water: integrated planning and management of a river basin -- a review -- Water resources assessment of basins of India using space inputs -- Managing and sanctifying our water bodies -- Hydropower -- the way ahead -- National aquifer mapping and management plan: a step towards water security in India -- Rejuvenation of aquifers -- An untold story of groundwater replenishment in India: Impact of long-term policy interventions -- Bringing aquifers and communities together: decentralised grounwater governance in rural India -- Deterioration of groundwater quality implications and management -- Integrated development of reservoirs unified control for efficient flood oderation in Ganga basin -- Resilience building in flood prone areas: from flood protection to flood management -- Flood management strategy for Brahmaputra basin -- Governance in the water sector -- Governing ground water -- Farmers participation in managing water for agriculture -- Civil society for water sector -- Capacity development for sustainable water resources management in India -- Water supply and sewerage systems in India -- Crafting a paradigm shift in water -- Research and development in the water sector in India

The book is the first of its kind to deal with almost the entire swath of water resources assessment, development and sustainable management. The idea of the book crystallized during the long journey of the Editors on various facets of water issues in India and abroad during their extended association, at all levels with the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, as well as International Organizations dealing with water. Currently water-stressed, India is likely to become water scarce in not too distant a future. The global freshwater supply and its sustainable use for human consumption, and conservation of the ecosystem have never come under such a rigorous scrutiny before. The unplanned and reckless exploitation of this precious resource have led to a crisis situation, compounded by a real threat of climate change. This book is, therefore, timely and of particular relevance not only to India but the entire world. The book contains 20 chapters, beside the lead article by the Editors. The chapters are contributed by the eminent professionals, researchers, academicians and civil society representatives having an in-depth understanding of the issues. The contents of the chapters have been chosen to represent all aspects of water. The assessment of water resources using satellite data and in-depth analyses of groundwater sector like, the Aquifer Mapping Programme initiated by Government of India, application of gravity satellite data to assess the resource build up, artificial recharge of aquifers and its contamination, are dealt with by eminent experts. The articles on sustainable management of water through good governance by community participation and involvement of civil society are placed. Flood management both through a basin level approach as well as by building resilience in vulnerable areas is discussed. Other critical issues like water bodies management, constitutional provisions, water governance and financial issues, hydro-power and need of research and development in this sector are also dealt with aptly. In view of emerging crisis and complexities in this sector the future pathways and the paradigm shift that is required in administrative and policy level is also discussed