An appraisal of water resources of India and need for national water policy

Water is one of the basic resources of mankind and is vital to all forms of life. Although water is abundant covering 3/4 of the earth, yet it is a scarce resource; its universal use and the fact that only 3% is drinkable, makes its utilization and conservation, a most complicated problem, which has received inadequate attention. Water is like Shiva; it can create, preserve and destory. It is man's greatest friend and for; while it sustains life, it is a killer also. Water resources are limited but the demand for water continues to rise steeply, making the need most urgent for an efficient planning and implementation of programme of water resource appraisal, development, conservation and management.