This presentation basically aims at critical review of the obstacles in implementation of National Water Policy; in view of the disasters and consequences of stoppage and slowing down of the construction of almost all major dams; by a few environmental activists and novelists, without scientific analysis; perhaps at the behest of developed countries. We must not forget the basic fact that the medium and small water projects as well as water harvesting schemes cannot substitute the need of large water storages in highly populous countries like India, but can at best complement the larger projects. It is essential that novelists and self-styled activists are restrained from adopting irrational approaches and overstatements of adverse environmental impacts of river valley projects, and thus the community must be made water conscious. This presentation also highlights the fast emerging crises in water related areas, while suggesting strategies to ensure integrated water resources development and management. For the same, scientific analysis and critical review of the environmental impacts of water storage projects are also presented. Unless these obstacles in the creation of water storage projects are removed, the country is bound to face serious crises on account of water scarcity, floods and droughts, alarming water pollution and the dangers of environmental degradation thereof.

It is amazing that India has to support 1/6th of the world's population with 1/50th world's land and with only 1/25th of the world's water supply. Very few people realize that non-development of water storage projects is not a viable or available option; due to the large temporal variations in river flows in Indian monsoonic climate. Deteriorating quality of surface and ground water is seriously affecting the net availability of water for consumptive uses. It is unfortunate that a smear campaign has been launched during the last two decades against hydropower and water resources projects by exaggerating the likely or assumed adverse environmental impacts and by suppressing their need and tremendous benefits. It is absolutely necessary that the Indian public is made aware about the fact that twin policy of faster development and better management would have to be vigorously followed in the water resources sector.

National Water Policy, disasters and consequences, major dams, environmental activists, novelists, scientific analysis; countries, medium and small water projects, water harvesting schemes, large water storages, India, complement the larger projects.