Integrated Water Resource Management in an Emerging ‘Green Economy’ – Few Concerns

Abstract

Water scarcity has emerged as one of the major economic and environmental issues of this century. The Earth Summit (Rio 20) Document ‘The Future We Want’ (June 2012) has advised each participant country to consider the implementation of green economy policies in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. The UN-Water Status Report on the Application of Integrated Approaches to the Development, Management and Use of Water Resources which was launched, during the Earth Summit, on 19 June, 2012 has also highlighted the fact that an ‘Integrated approaches to water resources management and development are critical for progress towards a green economy. The concept of ‘virtual water trade’ is gaining importance. It has been claimed that one solution to water scarcity involves accounting for the ‘virtual water’ when designing trade policy. In future, in the name of protecting water resources, developed food importing nations might ask for ‘water labels’ to guarantee that only pure water (and preferably from renewable sources) be used in the production of exported food items. By discouraging/prohibiting the use of arsenic and lead contaminated underground water in cultivation and animal husbandry, ‘water labels’ will ensure the safety of the exported food. In such a scenario, which is very likely, the organic farmers will increasingly rely on renewable natural water sources for cultivation. Funds will be diverted to develop water bodies to serve that purpose. A part of these organic foods will be sold, to the affluent domestic consumers, through organized retail chains. And for the remaining hungry millions, GM grains will be cultivated with arsenic contaminated ground water.