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Seeking calm water: Exploring policy options for India's water future

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  • Upali A. Amarasinghe
  • Tushaar Shah
  • Peter G. McCornick

Abstract

This paper seeks to identify some promising policy options which could be part of a strategic and holistic effort to address India's future water challenges. Significant increases in agricultural water productivity would be a major factor in reducing the need for developing new water sources. Crop diversification, appropriately targeted to account for the present agricultural systems and available water resources, will increase productivity. Furthermore, much more emphasis needs to be placed on effective management of the groundwater resources through renewed efforts to enhance artificial recharge and conservation. Also, efforts should be revived to improve the existing surface irrigation systems. In particular, systems could be reconfigured to provide a more reliable water supply and allow effective community level management, where appropriate. Finally, while some of the increasing demands from domestic and industrial users will be met by the development of groundwater and reallocation of water from the agricultural sector, this will not be sufficient. Given that such conditions are emerging in states with high economic growth and relatively water scarce basins, this will require the further development of water resources. In some cases, these conditions along with the demand for reliable water for high value crops, will be part of the justification for inter‐basin transfers.

Suggested Citation

  • Upali A. Amarasinghe & Tushaar Shah & Peter G. McCornick, 2008. "Seeking calm water: Exploring policy options for India's water future," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 32(4), pages 305-315, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:32:y:2008:i:4:p:305-315
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2008.00203.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. Kumar & O. Singh, 2005. "Virtual Water in Global Food and Water Policy Making: Is There a Need for Rethinking?," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 19(6), pages 759-789, December.
    2. Shah, Tushaar, 2002. "Decentralized water harvesting and groundwater recharge: can these save Saurastra and Kutch from desiccation. IWMI-TATA Water Policy Research Program Annual Partners' Meet, 2002," IWMI Working Papers H029652, International Water Management Institute.
    3. Tushaar Shah, 2000. "Mobilising social energy against environmental challenge: understanding the groundwater recharge movement in western India," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 24(3), pages 197-209, August.
    4. A.Banerji & Gauri Khanna & J.V. Meenakshi, 2006. "Markets, Institutions And Efficiency Groundwater Irrigation In North India," Working papers 152, Centre for Development Economics, Delhi School of Economics.
    5. Giordano, Mark & Villholth, Karen, 2007. "The agricultural groundwater revolution: opportunities and threats to development," IWMI Books, Reports H040039, International Water Management Institute.
    6. Sakthivadivel, R., 2007. "The groundwater recharge movement in India," IWMI Books, Reports H040048, International Water Management Institute.
    7. Shah, Tushaar, 2007. "The groundwater economy of South Asia: an assessment of size, significance and socio-ecological impacts," IWMI Books, Reports H039669, International Water Management Institute.
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    1. Upali A. Amarasinghe & R.P. S. Malik & Bharat R. Sharma, 2010. "Overcoming growing water scarcity: Exploring potential improvements in water productivity in India," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 34(3), pages 188-199, August.
    2. Purba H Rao & Sharad K Jain & Alan Millin, 2016. "Would Private Sector be Inclined to Take up Initiatives to Address Water Crisis in India?," Vikalpa: The Journal for Decision Makers, , vol. 41(2), pages 103-116, June.

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