Sustainable Development Through Inter Basin Water Transfer – A Case Study of Par-Tapi - Narmada Link

There are several ways in which sustainability has been defined but can be summarised as a process that can maintain and improve our quality of life by appropriate use of available natural, economic and social resources in such a way that our future generations can survive. The National Water Policy adopted by Government of India in 2012 says in its preamble that water is a scarce natural resource which is fundamental to life, livelihood, food security and sustainable development. The Policy further says that “Water needs to be managed as a common pool community resource held, by the state, under public trust doctrine to achieve food security, support livelihood, and ensure equitable and sustainable development for all.” Thus it is clear that the focus of Government of India is to undertake Water Resources Development so that the entire society is benefited and at the same time the environmental impacts are taken care of and sustainability is achieved.

Para 5 of the National Water Policy which deals with enhancing water available for use mentions that “Inter-basin water transfers are not merely for increasing production but also for meeting basic human need and achieving equity and social justice. Inter-basin transfers of water should be considered on the basis of merits of each case after evaluating the environmental, economic and social impacts of such transfers.”

This paper deals with the proposal for Par-Tapi-Narmada link which envisages transfer of the surplus water of West flowing Par, Auranga, Ambica and Purna river basins of South Gujarat and Maharashtra to north Gujarat for utilisation in drought affected Saurashtra region by substitution.