The Politics of Water Resource Development in India : The Case of Narmada

This book is about the politics of water resource development and management in India, with special reference to the Narmada river waters dispute. Author John R. Wood draws on a wealth of studies on Narmada as well as his own research to analyze the controversy from the perspective of a political scientist. The Politics of Water Resource Development in India: The Case of Narmada analyzes three aspects of the conflict over developing the waters of the Narmada: The politics of the inter-state river water dispute over Narmada waters in the context of Indian centre-state and inter-state relationships and the constitutional and legal mechanisms for resolving disputes among riparian states. The Narmada upstream-downstream politics implicit in the battle between downstream Gujarat and Rajasthan versus upstream Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The much publicized struggle between those for and others against the construction of the gigantic Sardar Sarovar dam. Given the highly contentious nature of these struggles, the author objectively highlights how and why the outcomes of such struggles have largely depended on the realities of power This book is about the politics of water resource development and management in India, with special reference to the Narmada river waters dispute. The author draws on a wealth of studies on Narmada as also his own research to analyse the controversy from the perspective of a political scientist. The author analyses three aspects of the conflict over developing the waters of the Narmada: - The politics of the inter-state river water dispute over Narmada waters in the context of Indian centre-state and inter-state relationships and the constitutional and legal mechanisms for resolving disputes among riparian states. - The Narmada upstream-downstream politics implicit in the battle between downstream Gujarat and Rajasthan versus upstream Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. - The much-publicized struggle between those for and others against the construction of the gigantic Sardar Sarovar dam. Given the highly contentious nature of these struggles, the author objectively highlights how and why the outcomes of such struggles have largely depended on the realities of power. This Book Is About The Politics Of Water Resource Development And Management In India, With Special Reference To The Narmada River Water Dispute. The Author Draws On A Wealth Of Studies On Narmada As Also His Own Research To Analyse The Controversy From The Perspective Of A Political Scientist.--jacket. Introduction: Wading In -- The Politics Of Water -- India's Water Resources, Major Water Conflicts And Water Policy Development -- Narmada: The Beginnings Of The Dispute -- The Tribunal Goes To Work: The Politics Of Inter-state River Water Dispute Resolution -- Opposition To Sardar Sarovar: The Rise Of Human Rights And Environmental Protectionism -- 'step Back And Consider Afresh': The World Bank Independent Review -- The Supreme Court Decides: The Judiciary, The Polity And The Resolution Of The Narmada Dispute -- Alternatives And Complements To Sardar Sarovar: The Paradigm Shift In Indian Water Resource Management -- Conclusion: Understanding Water Resource Development Politics In India. John R. Wood. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [258]-273) And Index. Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 12 Preface......Page 14 Introduction: Wading In......Page 20 The Politics of Water......Page 37 India’s Water Resources, Major Water Conflicts and Water Policy Development......Page 57 Narmada: The Beginnings of the Dispute......Page 88 The Tribunal Goes to Work: The Politics of Inter-state River Water Dispute Resolution......Page 107 Opposition to Sardar Sarovar: The Rise of Human Rights and Environmental Protectionism......Page 132 ‘Step Back and Consider Afresh’: The World Bank Independent Review......Page 151 The Supreme Court Decides: The Judiciary, the Polity and the Resolution of the Narmada Dispute......Page 172 Alternatives and Complements to Sardar Sarovar: The Paradigm Shift in Indian Water Resource Management......Page 196 Conclusion: Understanding Water Resource Development Politics in India......Page 227 Epilogue......Page 246 Glossary of Abbreviations, Acronyms and Other Terms......Page 254 References and Select Bibliography......Page 259 Index......Page 275 About the Author......Page 287 Focuses on the politics of water resource development and management in India. This book takes as its case study the dispute over the building of dams and irrigation systems on the Narmada river. It analyzes three aspects of the conflict over developing the waters of the Narmada.