According to the National Water Policy 2002, what should be the first priority while allocating water for various uses?

Providing drinking water to all human beings and animals.

The National Water Policy 2002 stipulates water allocation priorities broadly in the following order:

drinking water; irrigation, hydro-power, navigation, industrial and other uses.

The policy stipulates progressive new approaches to water management. Key features include:

• Irrigation and multi-purpose projects should invariably include drinking water component, wherever there is no alternative source of drinking water. • Providing drinking water to all human beings and animals should be the first priority. • Measures should be taken to limit and regulate the exploitation of groundwater. • Both surface and groundwater should be regularly monitored for quality. A phased programme should be undertaken for improving water quality. • The efficiency of utilisation in all the diverse uses of water should be improved. • Awareness of water as a scarce resource should be fostered. • Conservation consciousness should be promoted through education, regulation, incentives and disincentives.