Water and the Laws in India

Water and the Laws in India is a compendium on the various issues and questions that arise in relation to water in its different aspects and uses. Water is a large and complex subject, and discussions on it give rise to many issues. The book addresses aspects like: What is the nature of water? Is it a basic life-need and therefore a basic right, or an economic good (or tradable commodity), or a natural resource belonging to the community or the nation? Pertinent questions like-Who owns it or should own it? Should it be state-controlled or community-managed or left to be governed by market forces?-have been answered in this volume.Proceeding beyond discussions of various specific legal questions, the book briefly raises and explores the case for an over-arching national water law, a constitutional declaration on water and a global freshwater convention.This volume also discuses the water crisis that is said to be looming on the horizon and analyses what should be done about it and covers issues relating to water-resource policy and management, having legal aspects.