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India’s water management debate: is the ‘civil society’ making it everlasting?

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  • M. Dinesh Kumar
  • Chetan M. Pandit

Abstract

This article discusses the bias of the growing constituency of civil society activists in India against conventional water management solutions implemented by the government, and the ‘alternatives’ they champion, which force the government to enter into an endless debate with these groups. The article goes into the fundamental reasons for this bias, and identifies four types of civil society activist: ‘professional’, ‘ideologue’, ‘romantic’ and ‘doomsday prophet’. The article also argues that water bureaucracies in India should adopt evidence-based policy making, subjecting the ‘alternatives’ to the same degree of scrutiny as the conventional ones, to end the policy dilemma, while enhancing the overall quality of design, execution and management of projects for better outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Dinesh Kumar & Chetan M. Pandit, 2018. "India’s water management debate: is the ‘civil society’ making it everlasting?," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(1), pages 28-41, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:cijwxx:v:34:y:2018:i:1:p:28-41
    DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2016.1204536
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    2. Anantha K H, 2009. "Downward Dividends of Groundwater Irrigation in Hard Rock Areas of Southern Peninsular India," Working Papers 225, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore.
    3. Mukherji, Aditi & Facon, Thierry & Burke, Jacob J. & de Fraiture, Charlotte & Faures, Jean-Marc & Fuleki, Blanka & Giordano, Mark & Molden, David J. & Shah, Tushaar, 2009. "Revitalizing Asia's irrigation: to sustainably meet tomorrow's food needs," IWMI Books, International Water Management Institute, number 137954.
    4. World Bank, 2011. "Social Protection for a Changing India : Executive Summary," World Bank Publications - Reports 2746, The World Bank Group.
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    6. World Bank, 2011. "Social Protection for a Changing India : Main Report," World Bank Publications - Reports 2745, The World Bank Group.
    7. Mukherji, Aditi & Facon, T. & Burke, J. & de Fraiture, Charlotte & Faures, J.-M. & Fuleki, Blanka & Giordano, Mark & Molden, David & Shah, Tushaar, 2009. "Revitalizing Asia's irrigation: to sustainably meet tomorrow's food needs," IWMI Books, Reports H042273, International Water Management Institute.
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