Shravani Vasuduhitri Babu Reddy, Christ Deemed To Be University
ABSTRACT
Water is the most important resource for all living beings, production of food, basic human necessities and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. It is a renewable but limited natural resource where it needs to be protected for using sustainably. This research paper emphasizes on the distribution of water resources and explains the concept of water disputes. The conflict of water has come into existence because of sharing of water across the political boundaries. A large number of inter state conflicts and transnational conflicts of water are faced in India, as well as other countries. But there is an evidential increase of cases of water disputes in India as compared to the USA. Several national legislations have come into existence like the Inter- state Water Disputes Act and River Boards Act which are relating to the concept of protection of environment, conservation of forests and control of pollution.
The concept of sharing of water resources and water disputes prevailed in other countries also. But there are particular standards to be protected. India is considered the land of rivers and these are considered as the lifeline of the entire civilization. Among all the natural resources, water is considered as the most critical one. However, as industrialization and globalization takes over, the deprivation of natural resources has become the inevitable doom for mankind. A river tends to flow in its own bounds and gives its fruit to all creatures without discrimination. But, the division of the boundaries between states has brought the ambit of these rivers to a partition according to their land hold.
Interstate water disputes have strained the public tranquility and affected the economy as a whole as well. It has never been resolved completely, although many mechanisms have been developed over the years. There is a delay in adjudication proceedings and are often circumvented and impeded by a variety of politically motivated interests. The frequent recurrence and long deliberation produce kinds of insecurities and impact people’s livelihood.
Keywords: Interstate water disputes, conflict, tribunal, riparian right, riparian state, federalism, dispute resolution, judiciary
