Choudhary, Kameshwar. 2000. "Historical Overview of Social Movements in India and Water Management." Presented at "Constituting the Commons: Crafting Sustainable Commons in the New Millenium", the Eighth Conference of the International Association for the Study of Common Property, Bloomington, Indiana, USA, May 31-June 4.

Abstract

"India is a country with very deep historical roots. It has strong cultural traditions and institutions of community life. It has experienced important changes in its polity and society in different historical periods. Social movements of varied nature have played an important role in different spheres of life, including the issue of water management.

"This paper gives a historical overview of social movements in India with a focus on movements related to water management. First, it touches upon the concept of social movement. Secondly, it briefly sketches the role played by the state and the people in water management in different historical periods. Thirdly, it analyses the responses of the state and the civil society, particularly NGOs in tackling the water crisis in recent years in the country. Finally, it closes with certain concluding observations."