International Symposium on New Directions in Urban Water Management SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT IN INDIA

Rapid urbanization, urban migration and tremendous rise in population make water management a challenging issue in the unscientifically planned urban centres of India. Globalisation and associated industrialisation boost the growth of cities, create new urban centres and promote uncontrolled migration, with large impact on the environment. Both surface and groundwater resources have been highly deteriorated. Natural water purifying systems like wetlands and paddy fields have been extensively destroyed for residential and industrial purposes. Cities lack adequate treatment and waste disposal systems. Competition for reliable water leads to conflicts among urban inhabitants and also among urban-suburban and urban-rural populations. Living condition of urban poor and thousands of migrants and illegal residents become worse. Overuse and misuse of water further shortens the availability. Coastal cities face a threat from the impact of climate change, sea level variations and salinity intrusion. Administration often fails to provide uninterrupted and reliable water supplies in time and in sufficient quantities. India lacks a comprehensive and appropriate urban policy and an impartial and strong political will to implement it