Environmental sustainability is a moving target which evolves as the knowledge of nature increases. There was a time when environment just meant surroundings. It was used to describe the physical world surrounding us including soil, rocks, water and air. Gradually it was realized that the enormous variety of plants, animals and micro-organisms on this earth, including human beings are an integral part of the environment. More recently, it is further recognized that all types of social, cultural and technological activities carried out by human beings also have a profound influence on various components of the environment.

The three pillars of ‘Green Revolution’, - high yielding varieties, chemical inputs like fertilizer and pesticides, and irrigation – have had a definite positive outcome in terms of increased food production, which obviated hunger in many parts of the world. But it also had negative impacts on the environment. Similarly, for years, groundwater has served as the resource for supplemental and intensive irrigation. However, in many basins worldwide groundwater is now mined rapidly and quality is deteriorating. The way water in general and water for agriculture in particular is managed, has harmed the environment in a variety of ways: groundwater depletion; land degradation and contamination of water; depletion of forest resources; and loss of ecosystem services and biodiversity. ICID has long been concerned with the environmental impacts of irrigation and has been addressing the issues from time to time. The Working Group on Environment (WG-ENV) provides guidance on the environmental aspects of drainage and irrigation to policy makers, planners, designers, and managers including its effects on climate and human health. The Group aims at the management of sustainable environment, maximizing positive and minimizing adverse effects of irrigation and drainage systems.

Work Team on Environmental Impacts of Reclamation Projects (1986) Renamed Working Group on Environmental Impacts of Irrigation, Drainage and Flood Control Projects (WG-ENV) (1986).  WG on Environmental Impacts of Irrigation, Drainage and Flood Control Projects (1986-2008) changed its name WG on Environment (2008-2015) and *re-constituted WG on Environment in 2015 with a new mandate.

• Permanent Committee on Strategy and Organization (PCSO)
• Permanent Committee on Technical Activities (PCTA)
• Task Forces (TF)
• Completed/ Past Workbodies