**1. Introduction**

Unlike other natural resources such as wind and solar, water resources are limited and can include surface water, ground water, rain water and saltwater. Of all the water resources present on earth, only 2.5% exists as freshwater. Fresh water can exist in the form of ground water, surface water and water present in glaciers and ice. A major fraction of fresh water is present in glaciers with only a tiny fraction available as surface water.

Increasing population and urbanization has increased our water demands and place undue stress on the existing water resources. Studies indicate that by 2030 there will be a 40% deficit between the world water demand and the available water resources [1]. People in the developing world are most vulnerable to climate changes; changes in rainfall pattern as a consequence of climate change have largely affected the world in recent years. Extreme changes in the rainfall patterns have increased the frequency of floods and droughts. Exploitation of the available water resources affects all aspects of human existence in addition to disrupting the fine balance in the ecosystem. Erratic and unseasonal rainfall largely affects agricultural activity which mainly sustains the economy of most of the developing countries. Sustainable water management practices are therefore critical to ensure conservation of the existing water resources. Development of policies on smart water practices and its implementation need to go hand in hand to promote conservation of water resources. Many countries around the world have adopted different strategies to reduce the pressure on their available water resources and interesting case studies on their success stories exist.
