The policies of urban development and housing in India have come a long way since 1950s. The pressure of urban population and lack of housing and basic services were very much evident in the early 1950s. In some cities this was compounded by migration of people from Pakistan. However, the general perception of the policy makers was that India is pre-dominantly an agricultural and rural economy and that there are potent dangers of over urbanisation which will lead to the drain of resources from the countryside to feed the cities. The positive aspects of cities as engines of economic growth in the context of national economic policies were not much appreciated and, therefore, the problems of urban areas were treated more as welfare problems and sectors of residual investment rather than as issues of national economic importance.

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The survival and well-being of a nation depend on sustainable development. It is a process of social and economic betterment that satisfies the needs and values of all interest groups without foreclosing future options. To this end, we must ensure that the demand on the environment from which we derive our sustenance, does not exceed its carrying capacity for the present as well as future generations.

In the past, we had a great tradition of environmental conservation which taught us to respect nature and to take cognizance of the fact that all forms of life - human, animal and plant - are closely interlined and that disturbance in one gives rise to an imbalance in other's. Even in modem times, as is evident in our constitutional provisions and environmental legislation and planning objectives, conscious efforts have been made for maintaining environmental security along with developmental advances. The Indian Constitution has laid a new important trail in the Section on Directive Principles of State Policy by assigning the duties for the State and all citizens through article 48 A and article 51 A(g) which state that the "State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife in the country" and "to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes and rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for the living creatures".

Nevertheless, over the years, there has been progressive pressure on the environment and the natural resources, the alarming consequences of which are becoming evident in increasing proportions. These
consequences detract from the gains of development and worsen the standard of living of the poor who are directly dependent on natural resources. It is in this context that we need to give a new thrust towards conservation and sustainable development.

The National Conservation Strategy and the Policy Statement on
Environment and Development are in response to the need for laying down the guidelines that will help to weave environmental considerations into the fabric of our national life and of our development process. It is an expression of our commitment for reorienting policies and action in unison with the environmental perspective.

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Our society is witnessing rapid socio-economic changes in its traditional structure. The increased pace of industrialization and urbanization is leading to erosion of joint family structures which had provided a place of security and a modicum of care to all members of family. The Persons with Disabilities face dual challenge of mariginalisation on account of normal socio-economic changes as well as on account of their physical and mental condition. They often start life with little access to opportunities and continue in the same state through out their lives. Hence, there is a need for a policy framework, which protects their rights and provides them equal opportunity to participate fully in the society and enhance their dignity and self-respect.

Water is a prime natural resource, a basic human need and a precious national asset. Planning, development and management of water resources need to be governed by national perspectives.

As per the latest assessment (1993), out of the total precipitation, including snowfall, of around 4000 billion cubic metre in the country, the availability from surface water and replenishable ground water is put at 1869 billion cubic metre. Because of topographical and other constraints, about 60% of this i.e. 690 billion cubic metre from surface water and 432 billion cubic metre from ground water, can be put to beneficial use. Availability of water is highly uneven in both space and time. Precipitation is confined to only about three or four months in a year and varies from 100 mm in the western parts of Rajasthan to over 10000 mm at Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. Rivers and under ground aquifers often cut across state boundaries. Water, as a resource is one and indivisible: rainfall, river waters, surface ponds and lakes and ground water are all part of one system.

Whereas the Constitution of India enshrines both in Chapter 3 and 4 of the Constitution of India, the cause and the best interest of children, insofar that:

The State can make special provisions for children (Art 15 (3))

No child below the age of 14 years shall be employed to work in a factory, mine or any other hazardous employment (Art. 24)

The tender age of children is not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength (Art. 39 e), and that

Children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment (Art. 39 f),

The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.

Within the framework of a democratic polity, our laws, development policies, Plans and programmes have aimed at women’s advancement in different spheres. From the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78) onwards has been a marked shift in the approach to women’s issues from welfare to development. In recent years, the empowerment of women has been recognized as the central issue in determining the status of women. The National Commission for Women was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1990 to safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of women. The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1993) to the Constitution of India have provided for reservation of seats in the local bodies of Panchayats and Municipalities for women, laying a strong foundation for their participation in decision making at the local levels.

By 1997 the total housing shortages in the country was estimated to be 13.66 million units, out of which 7.57 million units would be in the urban areas. More than 90% of this shortage is for the poor and the low income category. It was estimated that an investment of Rs.1,51,000/- crores would be required to bridge this deficit, but not more than 25% of this will flow from banks, financial institutions, Central and State Governments. It was further estimated that Rs.2,50,000 crores shall be required for urban infrastructure during the Ninth Plan, but not more than 10% would be available from Government sources. Therefore no significant headway can be achieved without massive participation of the private sector. This called for creation of enabling environment by way of legal and regulatory reforms and fiscal concessions to encourage non-government sector to take up land assembly, housing construction and investment in infrastructure services.

The Government through a National Agenda declared HOUSING FOR ALL as a priority area and has set a target of construction of 2 million houses every year with emphasis on the poor and deprived, out of which 0.7 million houses shall be constructed in the urban areas.

With this background, the New National Housing and Habitat Policy (NHHP) was formulated in 1998. The Policy was laid before the Parliament on 29.07.1998.