The ceaseless rise in human population associated with increased urbanization, improvement in standard of living, industrialization, and intense agricultural activities place ever increasing demand for water.Water availability varies spatially and temporally. If the water available is in plenty, far exceeding the demand the flood situation is encountered which warrants strategies for control of water for minimizing the losses, both lives and property.On the other hand, if the water availability is too small, far less than the demand, then the area is drought affected which needs strategies for better utilization of the available water. If the available water on an average is less than the demand, then there is need for water conservation measures for improving the water availability and utilization strategies for making the best use of available water. In essence, the challenge to water resource engineers is to develop strategies for water utilization, conservation and control through scientific approach. The allocation of available water resources among the beneficiaries namely countries/ states/ districts/ farmers and among purposes namely municipal, industrial, irrigation, power generation etc. both in space and time brings in conflicts at different levels. Resolving conflicts by providing compromising solution through scientific approach becomes yet another and important task of water resources engineers. The process of scientific allocation of water resources and methodologies for water conservation, control and utilization apart from being technical has economic and socio-political dimension. The scientists and engineers are responsible to provide the feasible alternatives and consequences of each of this alternative so as to enable the decision makers to choose the one which suits to their expectation and policy framework.

Key words:Water Policy,Water Bodies, GroundWater, Hydro Power, Pollution