National Water Policy 2012

The first National Water Policy adopted in 1987, which was later revised in 2002 and 2012. The National Water Policy was revised in 2012 to address issues such as rapid growth in demand for water due to rise in population, urbanization and changing lifestyle, inadequate water governance, unsustainable exploitation of groundwater, water related disputes, inefficient management of irrigation infrastructure etc.

Salient Features: Emphasis on the need for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys.

• Water to be treated as an economic good so as to promote its conservation and efficient use.
• Determining the ecological needs of the rivers based on the flow of rivers. A portion of river flows should be kept aside to meet ecological needs of the river.
• Adaptation strategies for climate change for designing and management of water resources structures and review of acceptability criteria has been emphasized.