State Water Policy in doldrums
Even after eight months of its notification, following Cabinet approval, Jammu and Kashmir State Water Policy is nowhere appearing to be implemented in the State even though looking to the sensitivity of the issue being concerning scarce resources of water. Not only has the demand for more water been rising ever year  but its unequal distribution and supply, leakages, poor associated infrastructure too are connected issues which a well designed Water Policy alone could address.
When the policy is now already formulated, it is beyond comprehension as to what impediments come in its way of implementation. Due and demanding importance is not appearing to be given to the golden rule of optimum use of this scarce natural resource besides demarcation of water bodies and removal of their encroachments. How many water bodies, ponds, wells etc which only till some time back  or so, were visible even in the cities and towns, are gone completely dry and even their existence having become invisible, must be a cause of concern which could also play its part to adopt a very serious attitude towards water which is  next only to air for survival of life.
In the year 2010, the State enacted Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act  to look to the issues of regulating water resources, ensure their judicious, equitable and sustainable management, allocation and utilization coupled with associated matters but there is no enthusiasm or any type of zeal in sight to strictly work on the Water Policy in right earnest. There should be broad based deliberations, discussions and evolving of strategies and modalities towards this end. Even the State High Court on numerous occasions passed directions for strict adherence to the provisions of the law including preparation of State Water Policy and Plan and when one is already prepared, it should be implemented in letter and spirit without any further loss of time.

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