Extract from Water Vision Document released by Hon'ble Prime Minister on February 5, 2003

“The NGOs, which arc desirous of working in the water resources sector, need to be provided with the necessary technical backup, Professional societies can very well serve as multi disciplinary for a for providing the necessary input on water related matters especially the technical, scientific, ecological, social and economic aspects The NGOs could utilize their infrastructure, professional expertise, library, and publication and documentation services. These societies can be rich source in generating technically sound options with well-defined limitations and assumptions in Indian peculiar situations for taking informed decisions.

The services of professional Societies like the Institution of Engineers ( India ), Indian National Science Academy . Indian Water Resources Society. Indian Association of Hydrologists, Indian Association of Hydraulics. Water Management Forum, Rural Development Forum having vast network, good spread and pool of expertise may be channelized in, dissemination and documentation of various case studies for the benefit of all. Those professional societies and NGOs who help the WUAs and other self help groups become self-dependent, need to he encouraged

PREFACE

There are today major concerns related to preserving the quality and availability of fresh water resources in the prevailing socio-economic-environmental scenario in India- The question of sustainability is not only a matter of adequate water availability but also one of maintaining its quality. There is a need to find solutions to this set of complex problems and the challenge lies in identifying the actions that help in solving these problems. The solutions will lie in multiplicity of initiatives and actions, requiring technological innovations, policy issues and institutional mechanism.

The concept of inter-basin transfer of water has been around for over 40 years, ever since the initiatives of Dr K L Rao. former Union Minister of Irrigation and Power in preparing proposals for National Water Grid, followed by Garland Canal , through Capt. Dastur. Government of India had set up National Water Development Agency (NWUA) in 1982, which has in the last 20 years done extensive studies of the various possible links for inter-basin water transfers.

The concept is rational and can solve a lot of problems. However, on ground realities, it has also thrown open a plethora of issues - the constitutional provisions, the existing legal provisions, water ownership. R & R problems, political support and will, willingness of participating States etc. Some very interesting vital statistics related to

The vision document released by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on February 5, 2003 during Curtain Raiser function for "Fresh Water Year - 2003", has taken note of he role of the NGOs like ours. The extract from the .document released by the Hon'ble prime Minister has been reproduced on the inside cover of this publication.

A meeting of Heads of water related professional national societies was convened, at the initiative of WMF, at New Delhi on October 27. 2002. It was decided to form a coordination committee to link Water Related National Professional Societies (WRNPSs) for joint organization at various places of various events like Water Resources Day, World Environment Day. World Health Day, National Engineers' Day, Natural Disasters Management Day etc.. and coordinated focused working as well as complementary exchange of publications, journals and newsletters; with the aim of ensuring balanced scientific public awareness; cost effectiveness of professional activities and to foster brotherhood amongst all water professionals.