Context-

In 2019, the Ministry of Jal Shakti of the Government of India established a committee led by Mihir Shah to draft a new National Water Policy. Nearly four years have passed since the draft was submitted, yet it remains largely unmentioned. This delay leaves India without the opportunity to advance towards the “new water governance paradigm” that Mihir Shah has advocated. This paradigm is characterised by a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder approach to water management, aiming to address long standing issues with a fresh perspective.

The Paradigm War

●     India has been experiencing a quiet conflict between traditional and emerging paradigms of water governance. Historically, institutions such as the Central Water Commission (CWC) have championed a colonial-era approach, focusing on water supply augmentation through structural interventions like dams, barrages, and diversion channels. This approach has been instrumental in the development of India’s water infrastructure but is increasingly seen as outdated.

●     Conversely, a more contemporary and holistic approach, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), has emerged. This new paradigm emphasises a comprehensive understanding of water management that includes social, ecological, and economic dimensions. The shift from structural interventions to innovative demand management and ecosystem integrity reflects a global trend observed over the past five decades.

Global Trends in Water Governance

●     Globally, the shift away from traditional water management paradigms has been significant. Starting in the 1970s, there was growing recognition of the negative impacts of structural interventions on river systems and ecosystems. In response, various regions began to dismantle harmful infrastructure and embrace more sustainable practices.

●     For example, the European Union (EU) introduced the Water Framework Directive in 2000, leading to the removal of around 5,000 structural interventions in several countries, including France, Sweden, and the UK. The directive aimed to restore natural hydrological flow regimes and enhance river and water body health. Similarly, the United States, once known for its extensive engineering projects like the Hoover Dam, has decommissioned over 1,000 such structures to improve ecological health.

●     In addition to dam removal, innovative institutional approaches have emerged. Chile’s 1981 National Water Code allows for the trading of water rights independent of land ownership, while water markets in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin have improved water productivity. More recently, California initiated water derivatives trading in 2019 to manage water availability risks, showcasing a modern approach to water resource management.

Water Governance Trends in India

●     Contrary to these global shifts, India’s water governance has largely resisted adopting the new paradigm. The country’s water technocracy has been reluctant to move away from traditional models, often prioritizing immediate economic benefits over long-term sustainability. This resistance is evident in the opposition faced by proposed reforms and new approaches.

●     In recent years, India has made attempts to address these challenges through legislative and policy initiatives. Two significant bills were introduced: the Draft National Water Framework Bill 2016 and the Model Bill for the Conservation, Protection, Regulation, and Management of Groundwater 2016. Additionally, a report titled "A 21st Century Institutional Architecture for India’s Water Reforms" proposed the formation of an integrated National Water Commission to replace existing institutions like the CWC and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). However, these proposals encountered strong resistance from entrenched interests within the hydro-technocracy.

●     The National Water Policy 2020, which has been discussed extensively by Mihir Shah and others, represents the latest effort to drive change. Although the draft was completed some time ago, it has yet to be officially tabled or implemented, leaving the policy direction uncertain.

Expectations from the New National Water Policy

Mihir Shah and other advocates believe that the new National Water Policy has the potential to be a transformative document for India’s water governance. The policy is anticipated to address the shortcomings of the traditional colonial engineering paradigm, which has contributed to conflicts such as the Cauvery river dispute and ecological issues related to projects like the Farakka barrage and river interlinking schemes.

The new policy is expected to embrace the principles of IWRM, which include:

1.    Water as a Flow, Not a Stock: Water should be viewed as an integral component of the eco-hydrological cycle, not merely a resource to be stored and used at will. This perspective emphasizes the need to maintain natural water flows and ecosystem functions.

2.    Holistic Valuation: Water’s value should be understood through a comprehensive framework that includes its economic, social, cultural, and ecological roles. This holistic approach aims to recognize and incorporate all aspects of water use and management.

3.    Water as an Economic Good: The policy should treat water as an economic good, which necessitates establishing appropriate institutional mechanisms to ensure its sustainable and equitable use.

4.    Equity and Accessibility: Ensuring that basic human needs are met through equitable access to water is crucial. The policy should focus on distributive justice to address disparities in water availability.

5.    River Basin Governance: The river basin should be the fundamental unit of governance, allowing for integrated management of water resources within a defined hydrological area.

6.    Demand Management: The focus should shift from increasing water availability to managing demand through efficient use and conservation practices, especially in the context of climate change and scarcity.

7.    Comprehensive Project Assessment: Water development projects should be assessed for both their benefits and the costs they impose over time and space. This includes considering long-term ecological and social impacts.

8.    Knowledge and Transparency: A robust foundation of knowledge and transparency is essential for understanding the complex interactions between social, ecological, and economic aspects of water resources.

9.    Understanding Extreme Events: Droughts and floods should be viewed as integral components of the eco-hydrological cycle rather than isolated extreme events.

10. Gender Considerations: Recognizing the central role of women in water management and safeguarding is essential, as highlighted by the Dublin Statement on water and gender.

These principles reflect a broad understanding of modern water management and are expected to guide the new policy. However, their actual incorporation into the policy can only be confirmed once the document is officially released and debated.

Conclusion

India's new National Water Policy holds the promise of reshaping the country’s approach to water governance. By embracing modern principles of Integrated Water Resources Management, the policy could address many of the challenges posed by outdated paradigms and contribute to more sustainable and equitable water management. However, the policy’s effectiveness will depend on its implementation and the willingness to overcome entrenched resistance to change. As water governance remains a critical issue for India’s development, prompt and effective action on this front is essential to securing a sustainable water future for the nation.

Source- ORF