Water: Issues in Planning for Poverty Alleviation

Abstract

Considering the fact that only about 1 per cent of the global water resources are available to humankind for drinking and other uses, the issue of water scarcity gives renewed significance to water management. This article aims to explore several socio-economic and hence, planning issues related to this highly significant environmental resource. Water management and specifically water issues have been looked at from a multi-dimensional view. This article highlights the linkages between water scarcity, food security and agriculture. Water usage and its impact on poverty are deliberated upon, with an emphasis on investments in water management for poverty alleviation. The article asserts that prudent management of scarce water resources is imperative to ensure food security for our burgeoning population and to eliminate poverty. Learning from international best practices, recommendations with a futuristic perspective form the concluding section.