Water resource management synthesis report

This report is a synthesis of the discussions held during a webinar co-organised by Water For People India and IRC on 9 June 2021. The webinar discussed steps taken towards water security in India through water resource management (WRM). Representatives from both government and civil society, together with subject matter experts, highlighted that in addition to infrastructure development, better management of water resources requires mechanisms for institutional strengthening, information management, and community participation.

Key conclusion were:

1. WRM is the need of the hour in India to ensure sufficient and adequate quality water for all uses, including water supply and sanitation
2. A successful WRM initiative requires strengthened institutions that work in an integrated manner. Therefore, it is crucial that there is convergence of departments working on water and allied fields to work towards a joint vision of attaining water security
3. There is a crucial need for accessible and usable data, in terms of coverage, robustness, and efficiency, to influence planning, implementation and monitoring of WRM initiatives
4. Working with communities is central to awareness building, ownership and sustainability of WRM initiatives
5. WRM requires to go beyond technical and embrace a multi-disciplinary approach
6. Collaborations and partnerships can strengthen WRM strategies