A Review of Water Policies

Water is a key driver of economic and social development while it also has a basic function in maintaining the integrity of the natural environment. However, water is only one of many vital natural resources and its issues mustn't be considered in isolation. Every year the number of deaths that are taking place due to the use of unsafe water is increasing and to minimize these problems policymakers are working at various levels by framing the policies i.e., United Nations Convention 1966,1977, 1992, 1997, and 2010. From 1992 onwards every year 22nd of March has been declared World Water Day by the United Nations. At the national level, the acts are The Easement Act of 1882 protects private property rights to groundwater, The Indian Fisheries Act [1] poses which bans the Use of explosive material near coastal areas, The River Boards Act [2] by the federal government is to establish an Advisory River Board to settle concerns in interstate cooperation, The Merchant Shipping Act [3] deals with a different aspect of merchant shipping, The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act [4] established a framework of governing bodies like central and state pollution Control Boards, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act [5] provides for the levy and collection of cess or fees on water-consuming industries and local authorities, National Water Policy [6] and revised NWP 2002, 2012 [7,8] deal with conservation and efficient use of water. Indian government also implementing various schems realated to water like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Clean Ganga Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana and National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture. Telangana state adopted the Telangana Water Resources Act [9] that concerned with the efficient and equitable administration of water supply, The Telangana Water, Land, and Trees Act [10] is to protect and conserve water, land, and trees in Telangana, Telangana State Water Policy [11] deals with the state's strategy for the conservation, management, and development of its water resources.