13. Inter-basin Water Transfer and Policies of Water Resource Management

Water is a precious natural resource for supporting life on earth, without which life is not possible. Water is necessary for all the development activities of human civilization, such as agriculture, industry, electricity production, and transportation. Owing to its multiple benefits, it should be conserved, as it is becoming scarce in certain places. In India, a water policy is necessary for the management and planning of water resource projects and for sustainable environmental considerations in regard to both quantity and quality aspects. Natural disasters affect people’s livelihoods and cause socioeconomic losses. Rainfall, which varies from heavy to scanty in different parts of India, is an important part of the Indian economy. Flood and drought are the most severe natural disasters that occur due to irregular rainfall and climate change during the monsoon season. A river-linking plan is one of the best ways to improve water management and flood and drought control in India. Therefore, it is necessary to link all the rivers to fulfill the water needs of the basins that have a water deficit. The Indian government has proposed about 30 Inter-Basin Water Transfer Links over 37 rivers to study and implement a river interlinking plan in the country. The proposed river interlinking development component aims to provide water resource benefits, including increased water availability for irrigation; the recharging of groundwater; employment generation; and improvements in irrigation, power, education, water availability, water quality, agriculture, occupational choices, family income, industry, flood status, drainage systems, tourism, soils, fisheries, public health status, and other socioeconomic aspects. This chapter highlights the importance of the water resource management plans in terms of the National Water Policies in India. The chapter also focuses on the role of large-scale water transfer links in the proper management of flood and drought disasters in India.