‘I am delighted that Mridula Ramesh’s excellent book Watershed is now out in paperback. Our water economy is under great strain, and our development practices over the decades have encouraged highly water-intensive methods of production with little effort towards sustainable use of water. Water is no longer an easily available commodity, and the impending threat of climate change is set to worsen the situation. Well-researched, fascinating and lucid – Watershed is ideal to understand and frame the solutions to tackle India’s water crisis. A wider appreciation of these issues is also a precondition for politicians to be able to push difficult decisions.’

– MONTEK SINGH AHLUWALIA,
Former Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of India

‘Water is the defining challenge in India’s battle with climate change. Watershed rigorously unpacks how we got to this crisis point, outlining the risks and the changing realities that farmers, cities and businesses need to contend with. It lays out workable, scalable, natural and technological solutions that can secure water resilience while creating the jobs India desperately needs. This is compelling material. A must-read.’

– ANAND MAHINDRA,
Chairman, Mahindra and Mahindra

‘Watershed reveals in clear, gripping language how close to the abyss we have come. Grounded in science, with a sound and subtle appreciation of traditional and modern technologies, Mridula Ramesh shows every concerned citizen, particularly the next generation, how to build water security in their lives and, importantly, highlights the role of communities in managing their water.’

– DR RAJENDRA SINGH,
The ‘Water Man of India’

‘In Watershed, Mridula Ramesh lucidly and masterfully explains the science behind India’s hydrology, how we traditionally managed it well, how we got into the current crisis, where we are headed, and what we can do to use and conserve India’s waters better in a warmer world.’

– DR J. SRINIVASAN,
Distinguished Scientist, Indian Institute of Science

‘Mridula Ramesh has written the definitive book on water. Fuelled by deep research, her engaging and insightful book takes us through India’s waterscape, in all its diversity and complexity, its richness and vulnerability. Highlighting traditional solutions and emerging technologies, Mridula shares approaches that could lend both flexibility and pragmatism to the solutions we need in our greatest crisis. With its easy accessibility, Watershed will interest all Indian citizens who want to develop their ecological intelligence – even as it informs practitioners, academics and policymakers alike.’

– ROHINI NILEKANI,
Founder–Chairperson, Arghyam, and Water Philanthropist

‘This is a riveting book marked by meticulous attention to detail yet never losing its central thread, namely that water is ubiquitous in national life and unless there is serious, rational systemic thought and action, our future will truly be an uncertain one. To begin preparing today, this book provides a fine starting point.’

– MAHESH RANGARAJAN,
Professor of History and Environmental Studies, Ashoka