38 Water Governance

Anand Sagar and Nisha Rani

epgp books

 

Objectives: The objectives of this module are:

 

  • To know the concept of water governance.
  • To understand the need for governance.
  • To explain the principles and elements of water governance.
  • To describe mandate and vision of different organizations in water governance

Key Words: Water Resources; Water Governance; Laws and Policies in water governance

 

1. Water Governance

 

Water governance includes formulation, establishment and execution of laws, policies organisations/ institutions and elucidation of the roles and responsibilities of civil society, private sector and the government in relation to water resources and services (OECD, 2015). It refers to the political, social, economic and administrative systems that influence resource management and water use as well as the delivery of water services, at different levels of society. Water governance determines the equity and efficiency in water resource and services allocation and distribution. It balances water use between socio-economic activities and ecosystems. It determines who gets water, when and how; who has the right to water and related services and their benefits and how the decisions are made and the roles of power and politics in governance? In general governance refers to the processes and systems through which a society operates. Governance refers to both formal and informal structures, procedures and processes.

 

Water is a development issue and it border between social and technical systems. The combination of these two leads to good governance. Water issues must be tackled at various levels. Water governance therefore requires a ‘dance between levels’.Water governance comprises complex nested and interlocked sets of decisions about water (Scholz and Stiftel, 2005; Pahl-Wostl et al., 2008; Kante, 2011). Although it has technical aspects, it is an inherently political rather than technocratic issue.Water governance has more to do with people than with water. Therefore, water governance should mainly focuses on the processes and on connecting people in order to combat compartmentalization. Water governance takes place in complex systems, making it difficult to find solutions that work in all circumstances. Governance arrangements can only work if the processes associated with the underlying systems are understood. Therefore it is important to increase the adaptability that is possible by enhancing skills, stimulating coordination and updating knowledge for making better use of people in governance. Water governance is about identifying, choosing or adhering to values and translating these values – water, safety, agriculture, urban space, natural beauty or artistic design – into goals, standards and institutional structures and processes. These are achieved in a context of public external accountability. Governance is about establishing the appropriate means and setting limits and constraints within which operational action in terms of water management can take place. Lautze et al. (2011) stressed three common features in governance definitions i.e. governance is consistently viewed as a process, taking place through institutions (including mechanisms, systems and traditions), and involving multiple actors. Governance stresses the need to find new processes and mechanisms to deal with the multi-actor character (or the network character) of societies (Klijn, 2008). Water governance combines two main features, a physical and technically-oriented water systems approach and a multiple governance processes orientation. It balances on the edge of social and technical systems, and emphasizes the elaboration of new combinations that can be found on the edges.

 

Need of water governance

 

Water is an essential natural resource and vital for the functioning of an ecosystem as well as for human well-being. It shapes regional landscapes. But at the same time, it is under considerable pressure. Global climatic, demographic and economic changes have resulted in serious consequences that alter hydrologic regime.Overuse of groundwater for drinking, irrigation and domestic purposes has resulted in rapid depletion of groundwater in various regions leading to lowering of water table and drying of wells. Water pollution in many of groundwater aquifers has made these wells unfit for consumption. The wastes have been discharged in rivers and streams since long. Most of the civilizations have grown and flourished on the banks of rivers, but unfortunately, growth in turn, has been responsible for pollution of the rivers. Increasing population and expanding development would further increase the demands for wastes. It is estimated that by 2024, two-thirds of the world population wouldbe suffering from acute water shortage. Woodhouse and Muller (2017) describe in their review that scarcity has become central to narratives that sought to focus governance at the river basin scale, to restrict water use in favour of the protection and restoration of water resource ecosystems and to prioritize economic efficiency through market mechanisms.

 

Groundwater plays a vital role in India’s economy. More than 60 % of irrigation needs, 50 % urban requirements and about 85 % of rural demand depends upon this resource. Unregulated groundwater extraction has led to overuse in many parts of the country, causing the groundwater table to plunge and leads to drying springs and aquifers (Down to Earth, 2017). Thus water governance has emerged as one of the most critical areas to improve the sustainable development of water resources and services and in order to respond to global water crisis. Sound governance in water sector is fundamental for reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

 

Challenges and Strategies in water governance

 

Water and sanitation development often focus heavily on infrastructure investments. The institutions at national, regional and local level are responsible for delivery, governance and maintenance of the services. The infrastructure solutions are underutilized, poorly managed and unsustainable. Water and sanitation services also often fail to reach poor and marginalized groups. Poor resource management, corruption, inappropriate institutional arrangements, bureaucratic inertia, insufficient human capacity and shortages of finances for investments also undermine the effective governance of water in many places around the world.

 

Strategies of good governance include:

 

  • Developing tools and technologies and applying tailored knowledge
  • Documenting and sharing examples of good governance
  • Monitoring and assessment at regional, national and international level
  • Democratization of the governance processes through increased participation, transparency and accountability.
  • Policies on governance reforms at local and river basin level.

 

Principals of Governance

 

1.  Transparency and openness: Information related to water sector policy, legal and regulatory changes, development plans, water allocation decisions, water resources status and uses should flow freely within a society. The various processes and decisions should be open to scrutiny by the public and requires demonstrated willingness by governments to share information

 

2.  Participation: Every citizen, including men and women, should have a right to be heard and represent their interests in water governance policy formulation and decision-making, directly or through intermediate organizations. This again requires willingness of the government to solicit and consider input from stakeholders in civil society and elected legislators. The government leaders can make changes and do adjustments to the proposals on the basis of input received.

 

3.      Accountability and integrity: This principal makes the governments, the private sector and civil society organizations accountable to the public or the interests they represent. Here, governments and other organizations active in water governance should openly disclose their actions and the results of governance decision-making and should practice subsidiarity. Governments should also undertake actions to reduce corruption and illicit personal gain in water sector decision-making.

 

4.      Rule of law: Legal frameworks should be fair and enforced impartially. The decisions should be made in conformity with specified laws, practices and procedures.

 

5.      Responsiveness: Governments should regularly review and consider their water-related programmes, policies, structure, and resulting outcomes to make appropriate revisions. Governments and Institutions should monitor and note changing conditions of water supply and demand and respond appropriately. They should serve all stakeholders and react according to changes in demand and preferences.

3.  Dimensions of Water Governance: Water governance has four dimensions

 

Social

 

Water resources and services are unevenly distributed in time and space and so as among various socio-economic groups in both rural and urban settlements. The social dimensions of water governance include an equitable distribution of water resources and services among various social and economic groups, and its effects on society.

 

Economic

 

Economic dimension take account of efficiency in water allocation, its uses and the role of water in overall economic growth. Water and other natural resources play an important role in poverty reduction and economic growth. Improving water governance will improve durability and sustainability which results in more efficient investments in water. The governance structures exert a powerful effect on per capita incomes in many countries.

 

Political

 

In water related decision making processes, the effective involvement of commonly marginalized citizens, an indigenous people or slum dwellers recognized as legitimate stakeholders greatly improves the outcomes. Political dimensions of water governance involve equal rights and opportunities for water stakeholders to take part in decision-making processes. Participation facilitates more informed decision making, more effective implementation and enhances conflict resolution.

 

Environmental

 

Sustainable use of water and related ecosystem services are closely linked to efficient governance. Ecosystem functions and services are maintained and build upon sufficient flow of water of appropriate quality. Unfortunately, insufficient safeguards in intensive agriculture and in large urban and industrial areas resulted in decline of water quality in many regions.

 

4.    Water Governance :Global Scenario UNDP Water Governance Facility

 

The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is an initiative launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation (Sida). It has mechanism to implement parts of the UNDP Water Governance Programme. It supports developing countries on a demand basis to strengthen water governance and reduce poverty through policy support and advisory services in multiple thematic areas, including: integrated water resources management, trans-boundary water, water supply and sanitation, climate change adaptation, South-South collaboration, experience and best practices exchange, gender, and capacity building.

 

Water Integrity Network (WIN)

 

The Water Integrity Network (WIN) was formed in 2006. It responds to increasing concerns among water and anticorruption stakeholders over corruption in the water sector. It combines global advocacy, regional networks and local action, to promote increased transparency and integrity, bringing together partners and members from the public and private sectors, civil society and academia, to drive change that will improve the lives of people who need it most. It has vision of the world with equitable and sustained access to water and a clean environment, which is no longer threatened by corruption, greed, dishonesty and wilful malpractice.

 

The Helsinki Rules 1966

 

The International Law Association (ILA) has adopted this in August 1966 in Helsinki, Finland on the Uses of the Waters of International Rivers. Helsinki’ rules consists of international guidelines that regulated the use of rivers and their connected ground waters that cross national boundaries. It also mandates protection of the resource by bordering nations with respect to water pollution in Chapter 3 (Articles IX to XI). It does pioneer work on rules governing international rivers and led to the creation of the United Nations’ Convention on the law of Non- Navigational Uses of International Watercourse. The Helsinki rules consist of 37 articles spread over 6 chapters.

 

UN Watercourses Convention (UNWC)

 

The UN drafted the document to help conserve and manage water resources for present and future generations which was adopted by the United Nations on 21 May 1997 also known as “The Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses”. It entered into force on 17th August 2014, seventeen years after its adoption by the UN General Assembly in 1997. The convention pertaining to the uses and conservation of all waters that cross international boundaries, including both surface and groundwater. The key aim of the Convention is to “ensure the utilisation, development, conservation, management and protection of international watercourses and the promotion of the optimal and sustainable utilisation there of”. The provisions of the Convention develop and consolidate fundamental principles of International Water Law that is, “Mindful of increasing demands for water and the impact of human behavior”. With the treaty having been ratified by just 36 states, the convention, however, is regarded as an important step in establishing international law governing water (Krishna and Salman, 1999)

 

Ramsar Convention

 

The Ramsar convention is also known as convention on wetlands and focuses on the wetlands of international importance and especially as waterfowl habitat. It is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetland. The convention was signed in Ramsar city of Iran in 1971 and was named after the city. The Contracting Parties meet as the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP) in every three years. Representatives of the policy-making organ of the Convention adopt decisions (Resolutions and Recommendations) to administer the work of the convention and improve the way in which the Parties are able to implement its objectives. In 2015 the meeting of COP12 was held in Punta del Este, Uruguay and in 2018 COP13 will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

 

“The Convention’s mission is the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world” (Ramsar COP8, 2002)

 

UNECE water Convention

 

The UNECE convention on protection and use of transboundary watercourses and International lakes (UNECE Water Convention) was adopted in 1992 and came in to force in 1996 and has 36 parties. It provides an important stimulus for the adoption of European Water Framework Directives (WFD) (2000/60/EC) that represent the current European approach towards surface water and groundwater management on a basin wide level. It is conceived as the most important development in legislation in water resource management at global level.

 

5.  Water Governance System in India

 

Water governance is multilayered. Rules, and rule-making authority, are an important feature of certain governments in the water governance networks. It is only up to certain authorities to make and enforce rules. This special privilege does give these authorities a special role in governance networks. At the central level, various institutions have been set up to implement irrigation and water storage development projects, to issue water policies and governance guidelines, to ensure data collection and analysis or to bring assistance to state agencies. The Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is the nodal agency for overseeing the implementation of environmental legislation and programmes and of regulatory functions like environmental clearance. The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) is responsible for drawing up policy guidelines and for enforcing the protection of surface and groundwater resources, mainly in terms of quantity. Apart from the ministry, there are the National Water Resources Council, the National Water Board that assists the former, the Central Water Commission, the Central Groundwater board, the Central Ground Water Authority, various national committees and national institutes, and inter-state river basin structures (Yamuna Board, Narmada Board, Ganga River Basin Authority, etc.) that govern the overall use of water.

 

Elements of water governance

 

5.1  Constitutional provisions

 

India is the union of States. The constitutional provisions in respect of allocation of responsibilities between the State and Centre fall into three categories: The Union List (List-I), the State List (List-II) and the Concurrent List (List-III). Article 246 of the constitution, deal with subject matter of laws to be made by the parliament and by legislature of the states. As most of the rivers in the country are inter-State, the regulation and development of waters of these rivers, is a source of inter-State differences and disputes. In the Constitution, water is a matter included in Entry 17 of List-II i.e. State List. This entry is subject to the provision of Entry 56 of List-I i.e. Union List. The constitutional provision includes:

Parliament has power to make laws with respect to any matter for any part of the territory of India not included in a state notwithstanding that such matter is a matter enumerated in the state list.

 

In case of disputes relating to waters, Article 262 provides: parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution or control of the waters of, or in, any inter-State river or river valley.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this constitution, parliament may, by law provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall exercise jurisdiction in respect of any such dispute or complaint as is referred to in Clause (1).

 

Entry 56 of List I of seventh schedule provides that “Regulation and development of inter-State rivers and river valleys to the extent to which such regulation and development under the control of the union is declared by parliament by law to be expedient in the public interest”.

 

Entry 17 under List II of Seventh Schedule provides that “Water, that is to say, water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments, water storage and water power subject to the provisions of Entry 56 of List I”.

 

As such, the central government is conferred with powers to regulate and develop inter-State rivers under Entry 56 of List I of Seventh Schedule to the extent declared by the Parliament by law to be expedient in the public interest.

 

It also has the power to make laws for the adjudication of any dispute relating to waters of Inter-State River or river valley under Article 262 of the Constitution.

 

5.2   Legal Framework (Legislation)

 

According to the Indian Constitution, water is designated as a State subject and comes under the responsibility of the Central level only for the regulation of the development of interstate rivers and for settlement of inter-state disputes over water. The River Boards Act, 1956 and the Interstate Water Disputes Act, 1956 were established under these provisions. There are number of extremely complex and multi-layered legal framework related to water exist, at the Union as well as State levels, However, major Acts governing water protection in India are:

 

 

Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956 (IRWD Act)

 

This is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted under Article 262 of Constitution of India on the eve of reorganization of states on linguistic basis to resolve the water disputes that would arise in the use, control and distribution of an interstate river or river valley. Article 262 of the Indian Constitution provides a role for the Central government in adjudicating conflicts surrounding inter-state rivers that arise among the state/regional governments. This Act further has undergone amendments subsequently and its most recent amendment took place in the year 2002.

 

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

 

Central Pollution Control Boards and related State boards were set ups under this act, and have power to monitor, control and give directions related to sewage and plant effluents. State boards shall enact “a comprehensive programme for the prevention, control or abatement of pollution of streams and wells in the State and to secure the execution thereof. They also lay down “effluent standards for the sewage and trade effluents and for the quality of receiving waters. These Standards can differ according to streams and within streams.

Environment Protection Act, 1986

 

This act fixes Central government power to control and enact prescriptions for the emissions and handling of hazardous substances in any industrial site, in “coordination” with state agencies. The Central government may appoint authorities and officers to take such measures.

 

National Water Policy (2002, 2012)

 

The Ministry of Water Resources, GoI, formulated National Water Policy to govern the planning and development of water resources and their optimum utilization. The first National Water Policy was adopted in September, 1987. It was reviewed and updated in 2002 and later in 2012. The main emphasis of National Water Policy 2012 is to treat water as economic good; therefore, its conservation and efficient use should be promoted. This provision intended for the privatization of water-delivery services. The policy also does away with the priorities for water allocation mentioned in 1987 and 2002 versions of the policy. The policy was adopted with disapproval from many states. The policy also deals with participation of farmers and voluntary agencies, water quality, water zoning, conservation of water, flood and drought management, erosion etc. The major provisions under the policy are:

 

  • Envisages establishing a standardized national information system with a network of data banks and data bases.
  • Resource planning and recycling for providing maximum availability.
  • To give importance to the impact of projects on human settlements and environment.
  • Guidelines for the safety of storage dams and other water-related structures.
  • Regulate exploitation of groundwater.
  • Setting                   water            allocation            priorities            in            the            order           of                                  drinking  water, irrigation, hydropower, navigation, industrial and other uses.
  • The water rates for surface water and ground water should be rationalized with due regard to the interests of small and marginal farmers.

 5.3         Institutional Mechanism

 

The Ministry of Water Resources

 

The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) is responsible for laying down policy guidelines and programmes with the vision of sustainable development, quality maintenance, and efficient use of water resources to match the demand for the development and regulation of country’s water resources. Integrated water management is vital for environmental sustenance and sustainable development. The main functions of MoWR are overall planning, policy formulation, coordination and guidance in the water resources sector and monitoring of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes. It provides technical guidance for scrutiny, clearance and monitoring of the irrigation, flood control and multi-purpose projects (major/medium) and make available special central financial assistance for specific projects and assistance in obtaining external finance from World Bank and other agencies. It talks and negotiations with neighbouring countries, in regard to river waters, water resources development projects and the operation of the Indus Water Treaty.

 

Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

 

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is the nodal department for the overall policy, planning, funding and coordination of programmes of drinking water and sanitation in the country. Earlier, it was under the Ministry of Rural Development as Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation but, presently headed by the Cabinet Minister, Drinking Water & Sanitation. The Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) was the first major intervention in the water sector that started in 1972-1973. Technology Mission on Drinking Water was launched in 1986 and renamed as Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission in 1991-92. Further, 1999 the Department of Drinking Water Supply (DDWS) was formed under Ministry of Rural Development, for focused attention on drinking water and sanitation. The first major sector reform project (SRP) was started in the same year. Later was renamed as Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation in 2010 and in 2011, it was conferred the Ministry status, keeping in view the extreme importance given to the sector by the ruling government.

Central water commission

 

Central Water Commission (CWC), an apex organization in the country in the field of water resources came into existence as “Central Waterways, Irrigation and Navigation Commission” in 1945. In the year 1951, it was renamed as “Central Water and Power Commission” (CW&PC) after its merger with the “Central Electricity Commission”. Following the changes in the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, in the year 1974, water wing of CW&PC was separated as “Central Water Commission”, which continues till date. It has attained its present distinctive place amongst the foremost technical and scientific organizations in the world through a process of gradual development of its activities over a period of six decades in all fields of water resources like planning, development and management keeping in view the growing importance for optimum and sustainable development and management of water resources.

 

Central Water Commission is a premier technical organization of India in the field of water resources and is presently functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India. The Commission is entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering in consultation of the State Governments concerned, schemes for control, conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country, for purpose of flood control, irrigation, navigation, drinking water supply and water power development. It also undertakes the investigations, construction and execution of any such schemes as required.

 

Centre Ground Water Board

 

The central ground water board functions under the Ministry of Water Resources, GoI. It is a national apex organization with mandate to develop, disseminate and monitor technologies as well as to implement national policies for the scientific and sustainable management of India’s ground water resources. The directive of board includes exploration, assessment, augmentation, protection from pollution and distribution of water resources based on the principal of economic, efficiency and ecological equity.

 5.4         Organizations

 

Bansagar Control Board (BCB)

 

The BCB is a subordinate office under the Ministry of Water Resources and was constituted in January 1976 on the Inter-State Agreement among the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, for efficient, economical and early execution of Bansagar Dam and connected works. The respective states carry out works of canals and power systems within their territory. The Control Board has an overall responsibility for construction of the Bansagar dam and its appurtenant structures. Water Resources Department of the Government of Madhya Pradesh, under the direction of the Control Board, is implementing works of the project. The Union Minister of Water Resources is the Chairman of the Board and the Union Minister of Energy, Chief Ministers and Ministers-in-charge of Electricity of Madhya Pradesh are its members. Executive Committee set up under the Chairmanship of the Chairman, Central Water Commission, manages the affairs of the Board. The States of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar share the cost and benefits from the Bansagar Dam in the ratio 2:1:1.

 

Betwa River Board

 

The Betwa River Board (BRB) was constituted under the Betwa River Board Act, 1976 in accordance with an inter-state agreement reached between the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in 1973 toexecute the Rajghat Dam Project and Power House. The Union Minister of Water Resources is the Chairman of the Board and the Union Minister of Power, Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Chief Ministers and Ministers in-charge of Finance, Irrigation and Power of Uttar Pradesh

 

&   Madhya Pradesh are its Members. The Rajghat Dam Project on the Betwa River, a tributary of the Yamuna, is an inter-state project of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The cost and benefits of the dam and the powerhouse are to be shared equally by the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

 

The Brahmaputra Board

 

Ministry of Water Resources, RD&GR, Government of India set up Brahmaputra board under an Act of Parliament called ‘The Brahmaputra Board Act, 1980 (46 of 1980)’ for the planning and integrated implementation of measures for the control of floods and bank erosion in the Brahmaputra Valley and for matters connected therewith. The Headquarters of Board office is at Guwahati. The jurisdiction of the Board covers entire Brahmaputra and Barak Valley, spreading in all the States of the North Eastern Region including Sikkim and part of West Bengal falling under Brahmaputra Basin. The main functions of Brahmaputra Board are to undertake Survey/Investigation in Brahmaputra and Barak Valley and preparation of master plans for control of floods, erosion, and improvement of drainage, development and utilization of water resources of the Brahmaputra Valley for irrigation, hydropower, navigation and other beneficial purposes.

 

The Farakka Barrage Project is designed to serve the need of preservation and maintenance of the Kolkata Port by improving the regime and navigability of the Bhagirathi-Hoogly river system. The Farakka Barrage Project organization has been assigned the work for operation and maintenance components of the Project.

 

Ganga Flood Control Board (GFCC): A subordinate office of Ministry of Water Resources, with its headquarter at Patna, was created in the year 1972 to deal with floods and its management in Ganga Basin States vide Govt. of India Resolution No. F.C. 47 (3)/ 72 dated 18th April 1972, as secretariat and executive wing of Ganga Flood Control Board, headed by Hon’ble Union Ministry of Water Resources, Chief Ministers of basin States (Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, NCT of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Utter Pradesh, and West Bengal are the Ganga Basin States) or their representative and Members, Planning Commission, are the members of the Board, Chairman, GFCC acts as the Member- Secretary of the Board. Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC) carries out several activities as outlined below:

  • Preparation and updating of comprehensive plan of flood management.
  • Techno-Economic Appraisal of Flood Management Schemes.
  • Assessment of adequacy of waterways under roads and rail bridges.
  • Programming of implementation of flood management works.
  • Framing of guidelines for quality control and maintenance.
  • Monitoring of all flood management schemes funded by Central Govt. and important

flood management schemes funded by Central Government.

  • Documentation and Dissemination of recommendation of special studies.
  • Performance evaluation of completed Flood Management Schemes.

 

The Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal: constituted to adjudicate upon the water dispute pertaining to River Narmada, in its final order provided for the setting up of machinery for implementing its directions and decisions. Accordingly, the Central Government framed the Narmada Water Scheme, inter-alia, constituting the Narmada Control Authority to give effect to the decisions of the Tribunal. The main functions of the Authority are overall co-ordination and direction of the implementation of all the projects in Narmada Basin including the engineering works, the environmental protection measures and the rehabilitation programme and to ensure the faithful compliance of the terms and conditions stipulated by the Central Government at the time of clearance of the aforesaid projects.

 

The National Water Development Agency (NWDA): it is a registered society under the Ministry of Irrigation( now Ministry of Water Resources) and was set up in the year 1982 to carry out detailed studies, surveys and investigations in respect of Peninsular Component of National Perspective for Water Resources Development. The Government subsequently modified the functions of NWDA to include the Himalayan Component of National Perspective for Water Resources Development on 11th March, 1994 and composition of Society and Governing Body on 13th Feb 2003 and12th March, 2004.

 

North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management (NERIWALM)

 

The NERIWALM is a registered society established on 23rdDecember, 1989 at Tezpur, Assam, India under the aegis of North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India. A historic MoU was entered upon by the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), Government of India with the NEC and the DoNER ministry on 01 June, 2012 in New Delhi by which NERIWALM is taken over by the MoWR w.e.f. 1st April, 2012 as a capacity building institution in the field of water and land management for Irrigation and Agriculture development.

 

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References

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