Sanctuary Asia Whose Water

Whose Water? Community Rights and the State' is a 26-minute film, which explores the question of the ownership of water. It depicts a case in Rajasthan outlining a conflict, which arises when the community revives and protects water through its own efforts.

The state asserts ownership of the water and everything it contains, including fish, under antiquated water laws, which in fact restrict the public diversion of the flow of water or the construction of structures for this purpose.

The film travels through some of the areas, which have been radically revived by sustainable water management through community participation, by the Tarun Bharat Sangh. It highlights the conflicts between the people and the state, and the manner in which they have successfully managed to ward off the government for the time being. Krishnendu Bose is a partner in Earthcare Films and a member of Kalpavriksh. He was awarded the special jury's award at the Okomedia Environmental Film Festival, Germany in October 2000 for his film on Food Security – 'Harvesting Hunger'.