IWRM is a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.

It is a holistic approach that seeks to integrate the management of the physical environment within that of the broader socio-economic and political framework. It involves applying knowledge from diverse disciplines and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive, participatory planning and implementation tool for managing and developing water resources.

Principles of IWRM:

• economic efficiency
• environmental sustainability
• social equity, including poverty reduction

National Water Policy, 2012 tries to promote IWRM in the following ways:

• Common integrated perspective for water resource planning: One of the basic principles of the policy is that planning, development and management of water resources need to be governed by common integrated perspective considering local, regional, state and national context.
• Multi-disciplinary institutions: The departments/organizations at Centre/State Governments levels should be restructured and made multi-disciplinary to fulfil the needs of IWRM.
• Promotes principles of IWRM: It highlights having an environmentally sound basis, keeping in view the human, social and economic needs, in line with the principles of IWRM.
• Inter-state coordination: It mentions the need for a comprehensive legislation for the optimum development of inter- State rivers and river valleys to facilitate inter-State coordination.
• River basin approach: It talks about ensuring scientific planning of land and water resources taking basin/sub-basin as unit with unified perspectives of water in all its forms (including precipitation, soil moisture, ground and surface water) and ensuring holistic and balanced development of both the catchment and the command areas.
• Efficient utilization of water: It highlights the need to plan, manage and regulate utilization of water resource through demand management strategies, establishment of basin authorities and giving them with appropriate powers to regulate usage, promoting micro-irrigation etc.
• Information system: All water related data, should be integrated with well-defined procedures and formats to ensure online updation and transfer of data to facilitate development of database for informed decision making in the management of water
• Managing water resource as a community resource: It calls for water needs to be managed as a common pool community resource that is held by the State under the public trust doctrine to ensure equitable and sustainable development for all.

In light of the NITI Aayog’s report mentioning India facing its worst water crisis and the demand of potable water outstripping supply by 2030, IWRM is the philosophy that needs to be followed both in letter and spirit.