Regional Management of Water Resources (Proceedings of a symposium held during the Sixth IAHS Scientific Assembly at Maastricht, The Netherlands, July 2001). IAHS Publ. no. 268, 2001. 25 Sustainable regional water management in the Yamuna River basin: case study of the Delhi region (India) R. B. SINGH Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India e-mail:
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[email protected] Abstract Considering the importance of water resources in the Delhi region of the Yamuna River basin (India), this paper highlights the multi-dimensional nature of the region and recognizes it as an integral part of the basin's ecosystem. An action plan should ensure the sustainability of the water environment for multiple uses, because policies, investments and regulations in one part of a river basin or in one sector affect activities throughout the basin. A comprehensive framework for regional water management requires incorporation of inter-regional, cross-sectoral and environmental consi derations in the design of policies and investments. The general water condition in the rural-urban fringe of Delhi is going from bad to worse because extraction of groundwater for both irrigation and drinking purposes, far exceeds the recharge. The Yamuna basin authority, an institutional, legal and regulatory framework, will facilitate cross-sectoral and cross- governmental participation while delegating responsibility to local governments and people. Keywords drinking water; human response; irrigation; urban fringe of Delhi; Yamuna River INTRODUCTION Water is essential for human life, economic development, social welfare and environ mental sustainability. Rapid urbanization and industrialization is placing an unprecedented pressure on water quality and demand.