JUDGEMENT
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(1.) While agreeing with the main judgments of brother Pattanaik.J. in
Original Suits Nos. 1 and 2 of 1997 and supplementary concurring
judgment of brother Majmudar,J. in Original Suit No. 2 of 1997, I am
persuaded to place on record some of my observations in addition, which
have been necessitated on account of the unreasonable, unrealistic,
motivated and contradictory attitudes adopted and changed from time to
time by the riparian States of Krishna river basin, obviously under
local pressures and political compulsions. It is hoped and expected
from responsible representative governments of the States concerned
that they would give due weight to the tremendous work done by the
Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal and realise their constitutional
obligations to the nation, being important and mighty Constituents of
the Federation, the Union of India, keeping in view our observations in
the judgment.
(2.) Water is a unique gift of nature which has made the planet
earth habitable. Life can not be sustained without water. In the
National Water Policy issued by the Government of India in 1987, it
was declared that water is a prime natural resource, a basic
human need and a precious national asset. Water, like air, is the
essence for human survival. The history of water availability and
its user is tied up with the history of biologically evolution in all
civilizations. It will not be wrong to say that not only the life
started in water but rather water is life itself. It is essential for
mankind, animals, environment, flora and fauna. There is no denial of
the fact that in the ancient times water played an important role in
the origin, development and growth of civilization all over the globe.
Water is an important factor in the economic development of the
countries which ultimately affects the social and human relations
between the habitants. Planned development and proper utilization
of water resources can serve both as a cause as well as an effect off
the prosperity of a nation. Water on earth is available in the form of
frozen snow, rivers lakes, springs, water ways, water falls and
aqueducts, etc.
(3.) In this galaxy and the environment surrounding the earth, its
hydrosphere segment mostly consists of water in the shape of oceans.
Out of the total available water on earth 97.3% water is such which can
not be utilised for the benefit of the humanity. Only 2.07 %
water is available for consumption and mankind's utilization. Out of
this consumable water 30% is used for irrigation , 7% for domestic and
12% for industrial purposes. Rest of the water goes waste on account
of mismanagement and the lack of facilities of better utilisation.
Whereas water is scarce and limited, its users are numerous and ever
increasing. With the development in the living standards of the people,
the consumption of the water is increasing everyday without there being
any corresponding increase in its total availability. According to an
estimate in World Book Encyclopaedia, on an average a person needs
about 60,600 ltrs. of water during his life time and in industrial
countries like U.S.A. each person presently is using about 260 litrs.
of water every day. The consumption in our country is however much
less. On account of the advancement in the technology and of
civilization, water needs are increasing. In their quest to have
comfortable life, people want more and more water. Facilities like
ACs., garbage disposals, automatic washers and modern bathrooms,
earlier considered as luxury are now deemed as necessities of life of
a large human population.;
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