Large temporal and spatial variation in the rainfall and consequently that of water availability is an important characteristic which needs to be appropriately considered while planning for development and management of water resources. Water quality is also a very vital aspect in the management of water resources.  Many of the water bodies and river stretches in the country have become so polluted that render them unfit for various uses. Our ground water resources have also got polluted in many areas. Thus ensuring proper quality of water is a huge challenge. Further, water is a cross cutting sector touching various other sectors like energy, social, economic, agriculture, ecology etc.  Water security is vital for food security.  Water, food and energy security leads to national security.

​So what needs to be done.  Integrated and sustainable water resources development and management is the need of the hour.  Water issues at all levels need to be given serious attention by all concerned.  Water resources development and conservation is required to be done through various measures like enhancing storage capacity by constructing small, medium and large projects as well as by rain water harvesting, recharging of ground water including inter-basin transfer of water. 

Effective/efficient water resources management calls for improving water use efficiency in all areas like irrigation, domestic, industrial. The water use efficiency in irrigation is around 35-40% which is quite low and need to be improved greatly.  This will save huge amount of water which can be used in domestic and industrial area.  Recycle and reuse of wastewater is another important area which requires greater attention as our progress in this regard is very low as compared to some other   countries like USA, Israel etc.

Institutional reforms and good governance are important elements of an efficient management system.  Interstate disputes and conflicts have often severely affected proper development and management of water resources in a basin/area.  Finding practically equitable solutions to such conflicts would greatly enhance proper development and management of water resources.

Proper studies on the likely impact of climate change on water resources need to be carried out. Every developmental activity is associated with certain potential adverse impacts on climate.