Context: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for a comprehensive water policy for Andhra Pradesh, emphasizing the need for a strategic re-imagining of water management due to the challenges faced since the state’s bifurcation.
Relevance: GS 2(Governance)
- Importance of State-Level Water Policy:
Water governance in India is primarily managed at the state level, making state policies crucial for effective water management - Localized Water Resource Development: Different states have unique water management needs. For instance:
- Maharashtra: Focuses on regulation.
- Jharkhand: Prioritizes supply augmentation.
- Climate Change Impact: Climate change exacerbates water-related risks, necessitating innovative and adaptive water management strategies.
- Conventional Approaches: Policy emphasizes supply augmentation through projects like:
- Polavaram Dam.
- River interlinking.
- Shift to Demand Management: The focus needs to shift from supply augmentation to demand-side management to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Overcoming institutional inertia is critical for this transition.
- Institutional Reforms:Adopting models like an Independent Water Resources Regulatory Authority can:
- Address regional imbalances.
- Improve water use efficiency.
Risk Management include:
- Groundwater depletion.
- River pollution.
- Dam safety.
Andhra Pradesh’s long coastline also adds compounded climate risks. - Intergovernmental Coordination: Effective water policy demands seamless coordination across various government levels to tackle extra-territorial risks and enhance holistic water governance.
