India, with a large agricultural base, growing requirements in cities, and a fast emerging economy, requires careful management of its resources. Water resources, especially those that sustain life, need to be developed and managed efficiently.

This handbook focuses on major water policy issues in India. It examines the evolution of India’s water management, discusses the achievements of the past, and anticipates future challenges. The volume explores the relationship of water with economic growth, poverty, environment, energy, and rights and entitlements. It analyses appropriate policies and financing for water-related projects in India and recommends methods to manage the transition from past practices in a principled yet pragmatic manner. The handbook also addresses the debate on scaling–up of infrastructure and future strategies on pricing and its regulation.

Bringing together eminent Indian practitioners and policy analysts in water management, this handbook is an important resource for researchers and students in economics and water management, environmentalists, policymakers, activists, NGOs, and aid institutions.