Water shortage has become one of the most concerning issues
in India, where more than 1. 4 billion individuals rely on freshwater resources
for drinking, agriculture, industry, and sanitation. While water resources in
the country should adequately meet its requirements, the truth is that
freshwater supplies are rapidly diminishing. Approximately 600 million people
in India are currently facing high to extreme water stress, according to a
report from NITI Aayog, the country's policy think tank. The situation is
becoming more critical due to a mix of climate change, swift population
increase, agricultural pressures, and the over-utilisation of water resources.
India's water crisis extends beyond mere scarcity in the
conventional sense; it also involves insufficient distribution, ineffective
management, pollution, and rapid depletion of groundwater. As climate change
continues to alter weather patterns, India confronts escalating challenges in
securing a consistent supply of freshwater.
India accounts for about 17% of the global population, yet
it possesses only about 4% of the world's renewable freshwater resources. The
country's total annual water availability stands at approximately 1,447 cubic
meters per capita, a number that is swiftly declining. In 1951, per capita
availability was 5,177 cubic meters. By 2021, this had fallen below the 1,500
cubic meter mark, which the United Nations designates as the dividing line
between water-stressed and water-scarce nations. Should this trend persist,
India will soon be teetering on the edge of a significant water crisis.
Although India is home to major rivers like the Ganga,
Yamuna, and Godavari, its freshwater resources are not evenly distributed. For
example, the north-eastern regions of India experience ample rainfall, while
many parts of the nation, particularly the north-western and southern areas,
encounter substantial water shortages. The uneven geographical allocation of
water, coupled with seasonal variations in rainfall, renders India particularly
susceptible to water scarcity.
A primary factor contributing to water scarcity in India is
climate change, which has changed the country's rainfall patterns. India
depends significantly on monsoon rains, which a report from the Indian Institute
of Tropical Meteorology suggests that although the total amount of rainfall has
not significantly decreased, the occurrence of extreme rainfall events has
surged. This disrupts the natural water cycle, complicating the recharge of
rivers and groundwater aquifers. Furthermore, increasing temperatures have
resulted in higher evaporation rates, further diminishing the available water
supply.
Groundwater serves as a vital water source for India,
especially in rural regions where surface water resources are scarce. The
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) states that around 85% of rural drinking
water requirements in India are met by groundwater, with the irrigation sector
consuming 60% of groundwater. Regrettably, excessive extraction of groundwater,
particularly for irrigation purposes, has resulted in a dramatic drop in
groundwater levels throughout the nation.
In regions such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and
Rajasthan, the depletion of groundwater has reached critical levels. In Punjab,
for example, groundwater levels have declined by as much as 100 meters over the
last few decades. Consequently, farmers must dig deeper wells or rely on costly
pumping technologies, which heightens their expenses and depletes water
resources further. The excessive extraction of groundwater has also resulted in
a decline in water quality, with many wells displaying elevated salinity and
contamination levels.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) approximates that
about 70% of India's surface water is polluted, making it unfit for consumption
or irrigation. Water pollution not only restricts access to clean water but
also poses a significant public health threat, leading to the proliferation of
waterborne illnesses such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, which impact
millions of individuals annually.
Agriculture is the predominant water user in India,
representing roughly 80% of the nation's total water consumption. Nevertheless,
India's agricultural sector is still largely reliant on inefficient irrigation
techniques, especially flood irrigation. This conventional approach results in
considerable water loss through evaporation, runoff, and deep percolation. The
cultivation of water-demanding crops like rice, sugarcane, and cotton in
water-scarce areas further intensifies the issue.
The National Water Mission, part of the government's
National Action Plan on Climate Change, has emphasized the necessity for more
effective irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation and sprinkler systems, to
save water. Despite governmental initiatives to endorse these systems, their
uptake remains sluggish due to high initial costs and a lack of knowledge among
farmers.
India's swift urbanization has caused a surge in water
demand in cities, where the population is expected to reach 600 million by
2031. As urban areas grow, the infrastructure for water supply often fails to
keep pace, resulting in water shortages. The over-extraction of groundwater and
the pollution of surface water resources additionally worsen urban water
scarcity.
Water scarcity in India is intricately connected to public
health. The absence of clean drinking water and sanitation facilities
facilitates the spread of waterborne diseases. According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), waterborne diseases account for around 37. 7 million cases
in India each year, leading to significant mortality and health issues. In
rural regions, where individuals depend on contaminated rivers or ponds for
drinking water, the risks of waterborne diseases are even more pronounced.
India is confronting a severe water crisis that threatens
its future prosperity. Climate change, groundwater over-exploitation,
pollution, and inefficient water management are key factors driving this
crisis. The effect of water scarcity are extensive, impacting public health,
agriculture, the economy, and the environment. However, through synchronized
efforts, sustainable water management strategies, and technological
advancements, India can alleviate the effects of this crisis. The government,
industries, and citizens need to collaborate to tackle the water challenges,
ensuring a water-secure future for everyone.
