As part of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 with a vision to achieve better and more sustainable future for all. All the 17 SDGs came into force with effect from 1st January, 2016. SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation is one amongst the 17 SDGs. Goal 6 is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The UN has defined 8 Targets and 11 Indicators for SDG 6. India is one of the 193 Member States of the UN.
SDG Indicator 6.5 aims to implement Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) at all levels and SDG indicator 6.5.1 is to monitor the progress and degree of implementation of IWRM.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the UN designated Agency for reporting on SDG 6.5.1- IWRM. The UNEP, as a Custodian Agency, is collecting data and information on the degree of implementation of IWRM from the UN Member States through SDG Indicator 6.5.1-IWRM under target 6.5.1 through surveys. The UNEP carries out the survey on SDG Indicator 6.5.1-IWRM every three years to track the progress on the degree of implementation of IWRM in the respective Member States.
The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India has been assigned the task of country reporting under SDG Indicator 6.5.1 with the support of Central Water Commission (CWC) as a Nodal Agency. The Chief Engineer, Basin Planning & Management Organization (BPMO), CWC is designated as Country Focal Point.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) with the support of Global Water Partnership (GWP) undertook Stage 1 SDG 6.5.1 IWRM Country Survey in 2023 to track the degree of progress made on IWRM implementation in India with respect to the baseline established in the country through SDG 6.5.1 IWRM survey in 2020.
India Water Partnership facilitated UNEP, Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the Country Focal Point SDG 6.5.1 IWRM in undertaking baseline survey in 2020 and undertaking Stage 1 SDG 6.5.1 IWRM Country Survey in 2023 as well as organizing SDG 6.5.1 Stakeholder Consultation Meeting in December, 2023.
Stage 1 SDG 6.5.1 IWRM Country Survey Report-2023 has been uploaded on IWRM Data Portal with the link http://iwrmdataportal.unepdhi.org/country-reports and the Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Report has been uploaded on the results map of the SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme portal with the link: https://www.gwp.org/en/sdg6support/sdgmap/?location=India