Inter-states water disputes in India: an analysis of the settlement process

India is facing major challenges in its water resources management sector. The upsurge in population is ensuing in a steady decline in per capita water availability. Urbanization and industrialization are putting more pressure on water use. The spatial and seasonal variations, resulting in droughts and floods, are compounding water resources management problems. Moreover, the major rivers in India are shared by two or more states. With the increasing demand for water which largely falls under the authority of the states, and with the states increasingly asserting their legal and political power, inter-states water disputes are in the rise and are getting more complex and contentious. The article reviews and analyzes the process for resolving such water disputes.