Water policy at science–policy interface – challenges and opportunities for India

Abstract

Water scarcity is a serious concern in emerging economies, as it impacts human development, livelihoods, environment and economic growth. Policies should be formulated in a way that reflects the problem of water scarcity and is oriented towards providing solutions. The science–policy interface can play a key role in translating scientific knowledge into policy action and in mitigating water scarcity of emerging economies like that of India. Hence, the paper aims to review scientific knowledge on water scarcity in India, and analyze the extent to which this knowledge is reflected in the water policies – to understand the science–policy interface. This has been done by extensive review of various scientific approaches used to assess water scarcity at the national and state level. The analysis indicates that Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat in the north-west, and Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the south experience high water scarcity. To analyze whether this scientific knowledge has been translated into policy, existing water policies were critically reviewed. The paper, by identifying key policy areas, discusses challenges and opportunities for strengthening the science–policy interface, in the context of water scarcity mitigation. The paper argues that translating scientific knowledge into policy action continues to be a major challenge in India.

Assessment of interstate virtual water flows embedded in agriculture to mitigate water scarcity in India (1996–2014)

“…Improvement in yield is due to increased efficiency in use of inputs, including water, and is crucial for the long‐term agriculture growth [ Government of India , ]. Increasing WUE is recognized as an important goal for sustainability of water resources in all the three National Water Policies of India, i.e., 1987, 2002, and 2012 [ Katyaini and Barua , ]. It is important to mention here that the water footprint which is a crucial part of the virtual water assessment framework and indicates water productivity is a very new concept in the water policy discussions in India.…”

“…In fact, India is the largest groundwater user in the world [ Amarasinghe and Xenarios , ; The World Bank , ]. High groundwater use has led to its over‐exploitation, particularly in states of North‐West zone which were considered suitable to promote high agriculture productivity according to the IX Five Year Plan (FYP) of Indian economy (1997–2002) [ Government of India , , ; Amarasinghe and Xenarios , ; Katyaini and Barua , ]. Further, several mega infrastructure projects, such as National River Linking Project (NRLP), are being pursued to enhance irrigation water supply.…”

Connecting water science and policy in India: lessons from a systematic water governance assessment in the city of Ahmedabad

“…In particular, the need for strengthening existing monitoring mechanisms was identified as a critical factor (Kumar et al 2009). Based on a review of national and state water policies in India, Katyaini and Barua (2016) found that only a few water policies were based on the latest scientific research on water scarcity, water efficiency and climate change. In fact, many water-scarce states have not implemented state-specific water policies.…”

“…In fact, many water-scarce states have not implemented state-specific water policies. A top-down approach characterised by poor communication, a lack of trust and a stakeholder participation process that is often restricted to policy implementation has been opted to inhibit meaningful science-policy interaction (Katyaini and Barua 2016;Patra and Kantariya 2014;Cullet 2009). Similar factors can be identified to explain the weak linkage between research and policy in Ahmedabad.…”

Models, Simulations and Games for Water Management: A Comparative Q-Method Study in The Netherlands and China

“…Policy analysis finds itself at the heart of the Science-Policy Interface (SPI) [13,[45][46][47][48]. This is the boundary sphere were scientific and other knowledge oriented institutions interact closely with political institutions and public agencies.…”