A.S. OKA, J.

OVERVIEW

1. A well-known author Leonardo da Vinci once said “Water is the driving force of all nature. It is the water which gives life to everything.” Justice Holmes said “A river is much more than amenity, it is a treasure”. During last few decades, due to population explosion and climatic changes, the entire scenario has undergone a change. There has been unsustainable growth in many areas which has led to destruction of environment. Ever depleting green cover of the mother Earth and various other man made factors have brought about major climatic changes. The climactic changes have resulted into swings between floods and drought. There is an ever increasing demand of water supply for drinking and other domestic use, agriculture, industrial use etc. All this has made the water management as one of the most important and challenging issues of 21st Century. There is a huge challenge faced by the policy makers and the Governments when it comes to equitable distribution of water. The failure of the State to make equitable distribution of water is leading to