We all know that water is an important natural resource needed for life to exist; it has many uses including agricultural, industrial, household, environmental and recreational activities. It is the most precious resource, yet for very long it has been the least regarded in both development policy and practice.

For many decades, development programmes have changed freshwater courses such as wetlands, lakes, aquifers and rivers into concrete and other non-permeable surfaces, increasing the risk of water scarcity. Though this continues to be a challenge, there is a growing realisation that it is an unsustainable approach and one that needs critical evaluation.

Current considerations about water in policy planning are largely influenced by widely experienced surface water scarcity, which challenges development and environmental health across the globe. Fresh surface water resources continue to degrade more and more rapidly, and thus the focus is now shifting towards exploitation of ground, grey and non-fresh water resources, including ocean and saline water.

Report by CPLO