Articles by Ramaswamy R Iyer

Water has suddenly become a favoured subject for seminars and conferences all over the world. A common trend in most of the discussions is to proceed from projections of demand to supply-side solutions in the form of 'water resource development' projects; estimate the massive investment funds needed; take note of the severe limitations on the availability of financial resources with governments; point to private sector investment as the answer; and stress the need for policy change to facilitate this. In India, consciousness of the importance of the subject led to the appointment of the first National Commission on water, which submitted its report in September 1999. This paper attempts to provide a broad and compendious account of the state of affairs in India as far as water resources are concerned and to chart a course for the future.

The Supreme Court's judgment on the Narmada (Sardar Sarovar) case fails to deal with the very issue that was brought before it, namely, an existing situation of lapse and non-compliance in relation to certain aspects. It makes sweeping pronouncements about the desirability of dams. The judgment has introduced no new safeguards to ensure compliance but has advanced the doctrine that the existing institutions must be presumed to be working. The judgment is a negative answer to those who sought relief, and a severe blow to people's movements.

India and Bangladesh argue that their lean season requirements are greater than the Ganges flow. Both agree that 'augmentation' is the solution. But true augmentation can only come from efficient use of water and tapping other sources of water. In the case of a natural resource such as water, requirements are to be brought down to the level of availability of river flows, not the other way around.

This paper is structured around three treaties: the Indus Treaty, the Mahakali Treaty and the Ganga Treaty. In each case, the paper covers very briefly the background to and nature of the dispute, the approach to a resolution, the major features of the treaty, the manner in which it has been operating, the difficulties encountered, and how these can be resolved. It then sets forth some explanations and reflections that arise from these cases, including the complex interaction between water issues and political relations: the twin dangers of big-country insensitivity or arrogance and small-country pathology; the need to guard against a doctrinaire approach to the question of 'bilateralism' versus 'regionalism'; and the importance of not equating inter-country co-operation exclusively with a few large projects.

Changing Perspectives Ramaswamy R Iyer Water resources planning in India has largely meant irrigation development through big-dam projects. Over the years a powerful movement has emerged against such projects, The paper spells out the issues involved and the opposing views. There is a sharp polarisation of attitudes on this matter. The World Commission on Dams established by the World Bank and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) in order to resolve this impasse is expected to submit its report in the year 2000, A crucial question in this context would be whether there are effective alternatives to large dams for meeting the future needs of water and energy. There have been some very successful local initiatives in watershed development and social transformation, which seem to indicate that significant results can be achieved through these means. What is needed is a major reorientation in the approach to water resource policy. The paper sets forth some recommendations in this regard.