GOVERNMENT OF MADHYA PRADESH WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT,

STATE WATER POLICY, 2003

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(1) Necessity of State Water Policy:

Water is a natural resource, fundamental need of living being and invaluable national
wealth. In the developmental planning of the state, water is a decisive and
multifaceted component. For environmental balance, skillful and planned management
for all types of developmental activities, economic use on the equitable basis and in
view of the prime importance of water for all human and other living beings, an
effective and sound water policy is necessary.
Under the constitution, water resource is recognized as a state subject. State Water Policy is
prescribed in accordance to the guidelines and general directions in the National Water
Policy, keeping in view the specific necessity for the state of Madhya Pradesh. In
view of the inter-state water disputes, the State Water Policy has specific importance.

(2) Information System:

Developed information system is the principal necessity in the planning of water
resources. Apart from availability of water and data of its actual use, this system
should be able to indicate the availability of water for different purposes in future by
way of credible and broader projections.
Present information and data network including data of processing capabilities should
be improved to make it broader, modern and effective. Emphasis should be given for
greater use of Remote Sensing technique. It should be made mandatory for users and
regulatory departments to maintain all necessary data for compilation of storage of
surface and ground water.

(3) The use of available Water Wealth for different purposes:

The water resources development shall be planned on the basis of river basin or sub-
basin. Each development project shall be designed in such a manner that each basin or
sub-basin is inherently integrated water resources planning so that the best alternative
can be identified.

(4) Project Planning:

The scope of water resource planning shall be multipurpose and it shall be essential to
have the provision for drinking water and development of hydroelectricity. For
enhancement of fisheries production integrated development projects shall be taken up.
Policy for development of inter-state navigation be decided and possibilities of in-land
navigation be explored. The study regarding impact of projects on life and profession
of human being and their economy, social and other aspects should be an essential
part of the project planning. The study of impact on the quality and environmental
balance should be considered at first in the planning, execution and operation of the
projects. The delay in construction of water resources projects, increase in their cost
and reduction of benefits should be secured by upgrading the quality of projects
preparation and management.
In view of providing benefits to the schedule tribes, schedule casts and other special
backward classes, special projects of water resources development should be taken up and
representation of these groups in operation and maintenance of projects shall be ensured.

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(5) Maintenance and Modernization:
A time bound upkeep of the dams and canal systems should be carried out and time-
to-time programmes for their rehabilitation should be undertaken. It is an immediate
need to reconstruct and rehabilitate the vast irrigation network of the state for future
requirements. These canal systems need modernization and enhancement in their
efficiencies. The guidelines issued for the safety of dams should be examined, from
time to time and revised, if necessary.

(6) Ground Water Development:

While planning projects, attention should be given for development and conjunctive
use of surface and ground water, and it should be made part of the project.
Availability of ground water potential should be assessed after every ten years
compulsorily and exploitation of ground water should be controlled on the scientific
basis. The ground water should be utilised only to the extent, which can be recharged.
For recharging the ground water methods of construction of minor irrigation
tanks/percolation tanks should be adopted.
Priority should be given to exploitation of ground water resources for drinking water
purposes. Within the jurisdiction of municipal bodies ground water shall not be
utilised without their permission for private use or any other purpose. If availability of
ground is more than the requirement of drinking water of a municipal body then the
ground water can be used for any other purpose with due permission of the body.

(7) Water allocation priorities:

In the planning and operation of system water allocation priorities shall be as under:
• Drinking water supply
• Irrigation and afforestation.
• Power generation/industrial and other uses.
• Tourism
Water resources department shall be made a nodal department for permitting different
uses of water resources. Clear provision for reservation of drinking water shall be
made in proposed irrigation projects of the state, on river, reservoirs, tanks etc.

(8) Drinking Water and Quality Control:

The facility of sufficient drinking water shall be extended to the entire urban and rural
population. The quality of the surface water and ground water shall be tested on
regular basis by concerned departments. It should be made mandatory to treat the
industrial and urban waste to the required standards before these are allowed to flow
in a stream. The necessary laws should be formulated for protecting the water
resources from unauthroised encroachment and also for maintaining the standard
quality of water.

(9) Irrigation and Land Management:

In water resources planning, amongst the available options/alternatives, optimum cost
benefit alternative shall be selected. The policies of land use and its levelling shall be
co-related with the policy of water use. Irrigation potential shall be utilised to the
maximum, so that the gap between irrigation potential and actual Irrigation can be
reduced. The provision shall be made to provide irrigation on priority basis in the
fields of marginal and small farmers. To promote drip and sprinkle irrigation there is a
need to set up model farms in the command areas of every canal with the help of
Agriculture Department.

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(10) Rationalisation of Water Rates:
Water rates should be such which conveys the beneficiary the scares value of water,
its importance and motivates them for the economical use of water. Water rates
necessarily shall be such that the project shall be self-supported. For the use of water
for private purposes, rates shall be determined in such a manner so that the water can
be used strictly in accordance to the prescribed priorities laid down in the policy. Due
to the importance of the forest for protection of environment, concessional rates of
water shall be fixed for afforestation

(10-A) Institutional Administration: (As per Corrigendum-1 in the State

Water Policy)
Presently concerned departments are carrying out Water Resource Planning for
different uses. Considering scarcity and necessity of multi- dimensional planning for
development of water resources, there is a need to prepare development plans for
water resources at the level of apex institutions of the state.
The water resources planning structure which is at present based on water availability
should be correlated with demand base of water distribution and necessary
institutional reforms be taken.

(11) Participation in Water Management:

To improve water planning, avoid disparity in water distribution and status of
available services rendered to farmers, participation of beneficiary groups in operation
and maintenance shall be ensured.

(12) Participation of Non-Governmental Institutions:

In water sector, the non-governmental agencies and commercial organizations should
have financial and management participation. This type of participation shall be at all
levels in project planning, construction and maintenance.

(13) Establishment of Water Zones and Water Shed Management:

On the basis of availability of water the state shall primarily be divided into three
regions (East, Central and West) per hectare cost of Irrigation development shall be
based on separate criteria in the East, Central and West regions, strictly in accordance
to geographical & climatic conditions.
Special attention shall be given to catchment area treatment and water shed
management. Watershed management shall also include soil conservation, catchment
area treatment, forest conservation and afforestation programme. To improve soil-
recharging capacity, plantation by demarcating green belts shall be done, wherever
possible. Special water resources development projects shall be formulated for hilly
region.

(14) Flood Control and Management:

Master Plan shall be prepared for flood-affected areas for controlling the flood and
providing protection. The additional storage capacity of water shall be provided in the
reservoirs for accommodating the flood water. An intensive network for flood
forecasting shall be established. Erosion of soil caused by the rivers shall be
minimized by adopting economical remedial measures. Efforts shall be made to
prevent the uncontrolled use of river and river banks for habitation and farming, to
control the on going economic activities in the area.

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(15) Scarcity Area Management:
In drought prone areas, to reduce the problem and severeness related to drought,
measures like water harvesting, soil humidity protection, works related to increase the
ground water table and transfer of water from area having surplus water to scarce
water area etc shall be adopted. Development of grazing fields, afforestation and
similar other works shall be encouraged. Priorities shall be given to the scarcity areas
in the planning of water resources development and a special water management
system shall be developed for economical use of water in these areas.

(15-A) Planning to Interlink Rivers: (As per Corrigendum-1 in the State

Water Policy)
For integrated development of water resources interlinking river system plan shall be
prepared, safeguarding the interest of the state.

(16) Science and Technology:

It is necessary that multifaceted exposure and avenues be provided to the technical
knowledge for efficient and appropriate water resources management. Intensive
research work is essential in the following areas:
• Hydrometeorology
• Hydrology
• Ground water science and recharging of the ground water
• Economical use of water
• Appropriate methods for the conservation of water in the fields, development of
water wealth in the catchment areas.
• Economical design of water resources projects
• Continuity of flow of water in the rivers and purity of drinking water
• Scientific study of crop-pattern
• Study of silting processing in the reservoirs and measures to minimize it.
• Safety of water conservation structures
• Research on river formation works and construction material
• Water distribution system
• Remote sensing techniques
• Purification of water and its likely reuse.
• Effective water drainage system
• Risk analysis and Disaster Management

(17) Training:
There shall be inclusion of regional planning for information system, designing of
project, construction, operation and efficient water distribution system for providing
standarized training. Farmers shall also be included with personnel of all levels
involved in the water resources management for training. The prime object of the
training shall be to achieve maximum production from per unit use of water.

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