Jaipur, Jan 13 (IANS): Rajasthan will soon have a river basin and water resources planning authority for managing and developing river basins and sub-basins on a sustainable basis based on integrated water resources management concept.

"The state government has already prepared a draft bill in this regard," a senior official of the State Water Resources Planning Department told IANS.

A pet project of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and hailed by water experts, it is aimed at sorting out the acute water crisis in the state. Rajasthan is one of the first states to set up such a body.

Raje has always maintained that, "linking of water bodies was crucial for development of the state."

Rajasthan is a water deficit state with only 1.16 percent of the total surface water available nationally for 5.5 percent of the human population and 18.50 percent of the livestock of the country.

Out of the 237 blocks in the state only 30 blocks are in the safe category.

In the present scenario Integrated Water Resources Management is essential for management of ground water, surface water and development of river basins and sub-basins on a sustainable basis.

To accomplish all such objectives, a state water council and a Rajasthan river basin and water resources planning authority is proposed to be set up in the state soon, the official added.