Author: A. Vaidyanathan
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 287
ISBN/UPC (if available): 978-0-19-568216-8
Description
Water resource management since Independence has been, and continues to be, overly preoccupied with augmentation of supply to the neglect of efficiency of use and long-term sustainability. There is a clear gap between the policy formulations, implementations, and the governance and management of India’s water economy.
Based on extensive empirical and analytical research, this collection brings together A. Vaidyanathan’s recent work on water resources management in India in a multi-disciplinary perspective. The volume discusses the agro-climatic context, irrigation and agricultural technology, legal-institutional arrangements, and the economic environment. Rejecting the proposal of river interlinking, Vaidyanathan builds a strong case for a major shift towards integrated watershed development in rein-fed areas, reducing waste and over-exploitation of water, and resulting in a more efficient use of irrigation water.
The author discusses investment in groundwater development, extension of irrigation facilities, and major disparities between rain-fed and irrigated areas in detail. He strongly advocates reforms at the economic, legal, and institutional level as well as public funding of new research to improve the knowledge base for decision making. As irrigation is the largest user of water, the role of private supply sources is usually not studies. To fill this gap the author undertook a survey, the result of which are presented in the case study of Chennai city.
This collection will be useful to Policymakers, Environmentalists, Water activists, NGOs, Aid agencies, and Researchers in the water management sector.
Contents
Tables
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
AUGMENTATION STRATEGIES
1. Irrigation Development in Post-independence
India: An Overview
2. Interlinking of Peninsular River: A Critique
3. Watershed Development: Reflection on recent
Developments
IMPROVING WATER USE EFFICIENCY
4. Efficiency of Water use in Indian Agriculture:
Current Position and recent Trends
5. Incentives for Efficient Use: Pricing of Irrigation
6. Role of Law and Governance
7. Political Economy of Water Pricing
SOME BROADER ISSUES
8. Water Resource Management:
Some Contemporary Issues
9. Water Resource Development: Scarcity and Conflict
THE URBAN WATER SCENE: A CASE STUDY
10. Water Situation in Chennai City
INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE
11. Importance of Information and Research
References
Index