It is in the fitness of things that Karnataka has unveiled its first ever water policy, which in the context of an escalating water crisis facing many parts of the state assumes significance. In fact, the state water policy is a recognition of the growing perception of a looming water crisis becoming the order of the day. Water, though a renewable natural resource, is by no means "an inexhaustible or infinite element", that could be squandered without a thought for tomorrow. The widely projected fashionable thesis that future wars will be fought over water, needs to be taken rather seriously. As it is, the Cauvery water dispute between the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka has been a trigger of civil disturbances in both the states. Rightly and appropriately, the Karnataka water policy takes cognisance of the ground reality that a finite supply position coupled with a growing demand could compound water scarcity in the year ahead.

        The per capita availability of water in Karnataka too has been dwindling in keeping with the national trend. Clearly and apparently, there is no way to augment the state's water resources except through all round saving and intensive rain water harvesting. The salient features of Karnataka's water policy includes the setting up of a water Resources Development Board, assigning the responsibility of management of water resources projects to water users co-operative societies, levying water user charges and involving private outfits in the design, implementation and management of water resources projects. While fixing quantum of water for various sectors, the policy has given priority to drinking water, followed by irrigation, hydroelectric power, aquaculture, agro-industries and non agro industries.

        H K Patil, Ministers for water resources Development, has highlighted the fact that over 61 Lakhs hectares of land in the state will be brought under irrigation over the next five years. Of this, around 45 Lakhs hectares will be covered under major irrigation projects. However, the proposal to complete the command area development by 2006 as envisaged in the water policy - through a 12 point action plan appears far fetched.

        The other priority area referred to in the policy are promotion of participatory irrigation management and repairs and maintenance of the existing projects. The policy also points out that top priority will be given to the construction of canals and field irrigation channels in the shortest possible time. On the cost and benefits aspects of the water resources projects, the policy says, "investment have been spread too thinly over a large number of ongoing and new irrigation projects. Cost and time overruns have led to more expenditure and less commensurate benefits."

        Perhaps the most significant part of the policy is the proposal to provide water to the extent of 56 liters per day person in rural areas, 70 liters in town, 100 liters in city municipal councils and 135 liters in the city Corporation areas. The policy is clear in its perception that groundwater resources getting depleted at a rapid pace due to its indiscriminate use, the demand for drinking water would need to be met through other alternative means. The policy says that over the next two decades, the water supply system for larger habitations would need to be based on surface water sources.

        In the backdrop of the incidence of water-borne disease, in many rural settlements of the state, the policy has recognized the ground reality by stating that in about 4500 villages ground water - contaminated as it is by excessive iron and fluoride - is unfit  for human consumption.

        Perhaps the most glaring drawback of the policy as highlighted by Rajendra based NGO Tarun Bharat Sangh is its failure to incorporate a proposal aimed at empowering Gram Panchayats to manage water resources. He observed that facilitating of the community ownership of the water resources is the best option to counter the move to commodity our water resources. He also drove home the point that water is the next resources that would be marketed by multinationals. Involving people in the implementation, operation and use of water resources projects could alone thwart the efforts of vested interests to "market water resources like other consumer goods."

Perhaps Karnataka could replicate the experience of "Pani Panchayats" and "water users co-operatives" active in many parts of the country. In many pockets of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, community involvement has resulted in the judicious exploitation and proper distribution of water resources.