Water, this Shapeless, Colourless, Odourless & Tasteless liquid created by God is one of the most vital element of existence for all life on Earth. It is recognized as the most precious natural resource of the World. For sustenance, all life forms need clean water.

Although 70% of the Earth is water, fresh water is a scarce resource. Freshwater ecosystems only cover roughly 1% of the surface of the Earth. Conversion of salt water to fresh water is difficult and costly. Of the 1% freshwater available about 73 percent, is used for agriculture, 20 percent for industry and the rest for domestic and recreational needs.

Total usable supply of fresh water is over 4 million cubic kilometers. Ground water makes up over 95 percent of Earth's usable fresh water supplies. About 90 percent of the world's population gets its water supplies from river basins. Two or more countries share more than 200 rivers, and more than 40 percent of the worlds' population relies on water originating in a country other than their own.

In the past two decades, the modern development and mismanagement of water resources has resulted in huge water shortages. Water crisis has had its impact not only on people but also on the environment and other living things. Fish, birds and countless living creatures are crowded out, marooned or poisoned as industry and agriculture re-route rivers, dry up wetlands, dump waste and otherwise disrupt natural ecosystems.

Asia is home to 60% of the world’s population, with only 36% of the world’s freshwater resources. 80% of the global population without access to improved sanitation lives in this continent. Asia will have to cope with major urban challenges in the next thirty years, since more than half its population is expected to live in cities by 2025.

In India, the available fresh water from both the surface and ground water is 115 million-hectare meters. Taking the average of 1500 cu.m per year per person as the water need, the population of India will fall in the category of water stress. At present ground water caters to about fifty percent of the irrigation requirements in our country. In addition, about 80 percent of domestic and sizable portion of the industrial requirements are also met from ground water.

Despite its availability, water is not evenly distributed or used around the world. More than 1.2 billion people do not have access to adequate and safe water supplies. The average efficiency of irrigation systems is less than 40 percent. More than 60 percent of the water delivered never reaches the plant, or more than twice as much is delivered than is necessary.

One of India's main environmental concerns is pollution - pollution from agriculture, industry, from urban growth, and from water development projects such as dams and reservoirs. Contaminated water supply is the major cause of disease in the developing countries. Human activities have had devastating impacts on aquatic ecosystems - damaging fisheries, coral reefs, wetlands and watersheds. Each year as many as four million children die because they lack clean water and effective sanitation. The amount of wastewater is expected to double between 1980 and the year 2000. In 1993, the Ministry of Environment and Forests had proposed a major plan to clean the extremely polluted stretches of 13 major rivers in the country at a cost of Rs.1,115 crores.

Water resource development and management is a fundamental requirement in the developmental process. It influences economic development, employment, agriculture, housing, health and numerous other sectors. Everywhere development of water resources takes place in a context of limited funds, competing priorities, human resources and other institutional limitations, and social and political systems that both shape it and determine its eventual success.

Both fiscal and human/institutional resources are in short supply in India. One of the most important sectors for development has been the provision of potable water supplies, sanitation, transportation, irrigation and power. Improvements in these areas are essential to food security and to promoting health for the general population. Major water supply and sanitation facilities, especially those serving urban areas and economic centers, form part of the national infrastructure like roads and electricity. In rural areas improving water supplies is intrinsic to community development.

Water is a critical element in sustaining ecosystems and bio-diversity. Wetlands like lakes, ponds, etc. sustain one third of all endangered and threatened species. Over 50 percent of the world's wetlands have been lost or degraded through dams and canal projects, agricultural development, urbanization, and contamination.

What is to be done? How can we balance the many conflicting interests involved in water allocation? How can we protect the environment? How can we prevent waste and encourage behavior that supports sustainable use of our water resources? How can we provide an equitable distribution system? These are some of the questions that require our immediate attention for avoiding the impending crisis.