Water Resources Management: Realities and Challenges

Water is a prime natural resource, a basic human need and a precious national asset. Planning, development and management of water resources need to be governed by national perspectives. Ecological concern is into merely an environmental concern but also calls for prudent use of water resources. Planning and implementation of water resources projects involve a number of socio-economic aspects and issues such as environmental sustainability, appropriate resettlement and rehabilitation of project-affected people and livestock, public health concerns of water impoundment, dam safety etc. economic development has posed certain challenges for the planners and administrators, associated with the allocation and distribution of water resources. This book presents views and opinions of experts regarding conservation and effective utilization of water resources that are fast becoming scarce in their availability. The gravity of the problem, the realities and consequences on the present and future generations is a well-recognized fact which calls for rational utilization of water resources. Watershed management through extensive soil conservation, catchment-area treatment, preservation of forests and increasing the forest cover and the construction of check-dams should be promoted. The contributors in the book include experts in drought studies, environmental studies, public utility studies, agriculture and watershed management areas. The articles discuss elaborately the realities in the utilization and challenges for effective allocation of water resources. The suggestions based on the micro level studies are of immense relevance and would be useful for policy formulation and practical implementation of the programmes. The book would prove useful for researchers, policy makers, academicians, environmentalists and students.