TECHNIQUES OF WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS

Sustainable development is synonymous to maintenance of productivity of natural resources and maintenance of ecological equilibrium. Sustainable development has become a widely recognized goal for human society ever since deteriorating environmental conditions in many parts of the world indicate that its sustainability may be at stake. Water is an essential component of all the dimensions of sustainable development. Moreover 68 % of Indian population lives in villages and thus the development of our villages is of critical importance for the economic development of the country. Proper management of natural resources like water, forest, land etc through People’s participation and initiative along with complimentary and social awareness in society forms the basis of progress of the nation. Effective and efficient management of water plays a key role in human welfare and therefore has emerged as an urgent global concern. At the ground level, specifically in the villages, Problem & solution diagram, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) are important methods to understand the real needs of the villagers and to identify the water related problems. In addition to this, various water management approaches such as watershed development, water purification, waste water management and rain water harvesting are practical solutions to the water related problems encountered in recent times in rural areas. Such solutions play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance as well as the economic development of the country.