The National Water Policy of India aims to govern water resource planning and development. The first policy was adopted in 1987 and updated in 2002 and 2012. It seeks to establish a national information system, maximize water availability through resource planning and recycling, regulate groundwater exploitation, and emphasize human settlement and environmental protection. The 2012 draft policy outlines principles like social justice in water use and an integrated management approach. It also covers enhancing water sources, pricing, project implementation, flood/drought management, transboundary cooperation, research/training needs, and implementing the policy through various government bodies.

1. NATIONAL WATER POLICY

2. INTRODUCTION
• It is formulated by the ministry of water
resources to govern the planning and
development of water resources.
• The first national policy was adopted in
september 1987 and updated in 2002 and
2012 respectively

3. FEATURES OF NATIONAL WATER POLICY
• To establish a standard national information
system
• To provide maximum availability by resource
planning and recycling
• To provide guidelines for the safety of storage
dams
• Regulate the expliotation of groundwater.
• To give importance on human settlement and
environment.

4. NATIONAL WATER POLICY-2012
• In june 7,2012- ministry of water resource published the
draft in water policy 2012.
1. BASICPRINCIPLES OF DRAFT NWP
– The principle of social justice must inform
the use and allocation of water.
– A common integrated perspective should
govern the planning and management of
water resources.
– For the conservation,water may be treated
as an economic asset.
– River basin should be considered as the
basic hydrological unit.

5. 2.Enhancing water availablefor use.
• Rainfall need to be used directly.
• Aquifier need to be mapped to know quality
of ground resources.
• Inter basin transfers need to be encouraged.
• Watershed development activities need to be
undertakento increse soil moisture and water
productivity

6. 3.Waterpricing
• Water regulatory authority should be
established in each state.
• Water charges should be determined in
avolumetric manner.
• Recycle and reuse of water should be
encouraged.
• WUA should be given powers to collect water
charges.

7. 4.Projectplanningand implementation
• All clearences required for the project should
be made in time.
• Avoid time and cost over runs.
• Local governing bodies such as
panchayats,municipalities etc..should be
involved in the planning of projects.

8. 5.Managementof flood and drought.
• Land,soil,energy management with scientific
reserch should be used to evolve different
agricultural strategies.
• Revetments,embankments etc..should be
constructed to prevent soil erosion.
• Operating procedures should be evolved and
implemented.

9. 6.Transboundary rivers
• Efforts should be made to enter international
aggrements with neighbouring countries for
exchanging hydrological data of rivers.

10. 7.Researchand training needs
• Grants should be given to states to update
technology,design and planning
• An autonomous centre for reserch on water
policy should be established.
• Regular training and academic courses in
water management should be promoted.
• A national campaign for water literacy need to
be started.

11. 8.Implementationof national waterpolicy.
• National water board should prepare a plan
based on national water policy as approved
by the national water resources council.
• State water policies need to be drafted in
accordance with this policy.