Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India
Online published on 28 August, 2015.
“Rahiman paani rakhiye, bin paani sab sun, paani gaye na ubre, moti manas, chun” Above couplets are written about 400 year back by Abdul Rahim Khan E Khana, one of the nine important ministers, a poet and a saint of Mughal emperor Akbar The Great, Clearly depicts the importance and preciousness of water, which was once again strongly emphasized by Her Excellency, The President of India during her inaugural address in the 12th World Lake Conference of 2007 (MOEF, 2008). This means as follows,
Conserve water, as with out water every thing is life less;
Nothing will grow, neither pearl, nor man nor grain.
Water is the most precious commodity in this universe and perhaps only our Earth is bestowed with this boon. Though we have plenty of it but it is only 2 percent of earth's fresh water which sustains human life.
Unfortunately today's world is advancing in a steady pace towards a “below water poverty line” situation, irrespective of its confines and advancement.
This paper suggests an implementable participatory approach to manage fresh water resources for its long term sustainable use. Such an approach is practically addressing many major problem like water shortage, inefficient water use, sanitation, pollution and inadequate operation cum maintenance related to naturally available palatable water in Himalayan area of district Nainital. This paper emphasizes and draws a systematic outline for people's involvement is operating and maintaining a valuable natural resource in an area where it's availability is gradually becoming a threat.
