Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Q5. Identify the key challenges in implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in India. Bring out its significance for sustainable water governance. Suggest a comprehensive roadmap for its effective implementation. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: DTE
Why the question
Growing water stress, inter-State conflicts and climate variability have highlighted the need to shift from fragmented water management to an integrated approach like IWRM.Key Demand of the question
The question requires identifying structural and governance challenges in implementing IWRM, establishing its importance for sustainable water management, and outlining a practical roadmap for implementation.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly introduce the idea of integrated management of water resources and its relevance in India’s context of rising water stress and governance gaps.Body
- Challenges in implementation: Briefly indicate institutional fragmentation, federal complexities and policy distortions affecting integrated management.
- Relevance for sustainability: Highlight how integrated approach improves efficiency, resilience and ecological balance in water governance.
- Roadmap for implementation: Suggest institutional strengthening, policy alignment and participatory governance for effective execution.
Conclusion
End with a forward-looking note emphasising the need for political will and institutional reforms to operationalise integrated water governance.
