River Basin Management Scheme:
The River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme has been extended for the 16th Finance Commission period spanning 2026–27 to 2030–31, highlighting India’s renewed focus on integrated and sustainable water resource management at the basin level.
- The RBM Scheme is a central sector initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation).
- Its primary goal is to ensure the integrated planning, sustainable use, and protection of surface and groundwater resources at the river basin level.
- Instead of looking at water resources in isolation, the scheme treats an entire river basin, including its rivers, tributaries, lakes, and groundwater, as a single, interconnected ecosystem.
- The RBM Scheme consists of two broad components: the Brahmaputra Board and the Investigation of Water Resources Development Scheme (IWRDS) implemented through the Central Water Commission (CWC) and National Water Development Agency (NWDA).
- Focuses on river basin planning, flood control, erosion management, drainage development, and sustainable water resource management in the North Eastern Region.
- Central Water Commission (CWC): Conducts surveys, investigations, and prepares Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for water resource projects in remote terrains.
- National Water Development Agency (NWDA): Handles national-level water planning, specifically the preparation of feasibility reports for the Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) programme.
- Geographical Priority: It strategically targets water-rich yet underdeveloped regions that are critical for national security, water security, cross-border management, flood control, and ecological stability.
- Key focus areas include the Brahmaputra, Barak, Teesta, and Indus basins, heavily prioritizing the North Eastern States, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
