ANNOUNCEMENTS
The water cycle naturally circulates the various forms of water resources through various processes which occur gradually. This hydrological cycle has been disturbed and dis-oriented due to the phenomenon of Climate Change caused by anthropogenic activities. Climate Change, therefore, has a profound impact on the water resources of the world. These resources include surface as well as groundwater. Owing to the fact that water resources which can be utilized for human purposes are limited and coupled with the ill-effects of Climate Change on the same, there is an intrinsic need to conserve as well as regulate the water resources. The management of water resources is done at the International, National, State as well as Local level. The stakeholders in the process not only include the Government and the industries, but also the human community in general. Since, water is required for multiple essential and non-essential purposes, the regulation of water resources becomes a tedious task which must be carefully implemented. Surface water resources including rivers, streams, ponds, lakes etc. have been regulated well among countries, states and districts by way of multiple legal and non-legal instruments. These resources are considered to be visible and easily quantifiable. In comparison to surface water, groundwater resources are considered to be invisible. Their quantities and availability are difficult to ascertain, thereby resulting in poor regulation of groundwater internationally as well as nationally. In India, surface water has been regulated by way of national and state level legislations and the same is managed for use between the States, Industries and Households. But, most parts of India do not have adequate surface water resources and are majorly dependent on groundwater for their water requirements. However, this groundwater has no regulation at the national level and on the account of being considered an invisible resource, its conservation does not get as much impetus as surface water. This research aims to chart out the multiple legislations and guidelines governing groundwater resources in India. It further aims to compare the framework for groundwater management in India with that of the countries of Singapore, Sweden and South Africa. Based on the findings of the research and the comparative analysis, the author endeavors to suggest modifications in the framework of governance of groundwater in India. This will be in accordance with the importance of groundwater, the tremendous dependence on it, the acute scarcity of the same and the certain impact that Climate Change has on the groundwater resources.
