This paper critically examines some narratives of water scarcity in Kutch, western India. It argues that images of dwindling rainfall and increasing drought largely serve to legitimize the controversial Sardar Sarovar dam and manufacture dominant perceptions concerning scarcity. This manufacture has naturalized scarcity in the region and largely benefits powerful actors such as politicians, industrialists and large farmers. But the needs of the poor in water-limited areas are neglected.

Monsoon means celebrations for the people of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat who script success stories of rainwater harvesting. But in Rajasthan they are questioned: who own the raindrop?

There is euphoria in the villages which have harvested rain. Overcoming hurdles, village communities learn the first lesson in water management

Only a strong political commitment for water conservation will ensure the survival of these structures

Keshubhai Patel Chief minister, Gujarat On overflowing check dams: We needed a permanent solution that not only drought-proofs the state but also provides livelihoods. The effort is to trap

Digvijay Singh Chief minister, Madhya Pradesh On institutionalisation of structures: They are already public property. They were built according to needs of the people. For example, the

Government watershed programmes run for a limited period. The impractical timeframe threatens to undo the goodwork

Investment in water is an insurance against poverty and drought. Down To Earth reporters visited the eight villages below during the droughts of 2000 and 2001. These villages have several years of

To fight drought, the Madhya Pradesh government embarked on a water conservation drive in February this year with its Pani Roko Abhiyan (Stop Water Campaign). The state administration geared up