Abstract:
Integrated water resources management (IWRM) is being implemented all over the world, considering its wide
area of applications and flexible spatial scale. Scientists have found IWRM useful in an Indian context also where
a coordinated development of water and land resources is sought as part of complete economic, social and environmental
welfare. The paper presents the concepts of ‘Local IWRM’ planning applied to water conservation and
management in a case study of Ur river watershed in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh (India). The Plan
considers effective utilization of land, water and other available natural resources, linked to the vulnerabilities
and livelihood opportunities in the geographical area. The IWRM Plan, designed in three sections – (1) water management,
(2) land management, and (3) livelihood management – provides specific suggestions on the activities
under these three themes as useful inputs to the District Irrigation Plan (DIP) of the Government. The proposed
IWRM Plan intends to promote the component of water demand management in district level planning and is envisioned
to be an ‘implementable’ planning document for district level government. Acceptability of the IWRM plan
is potentially enhanced as the plan was developed through a participatory process, wherein all relevant stakeholders
were consulted at different stages of development.
