Syllabus: GS III MAJOR CROPS – CROPPING PATTERNS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, – DIFFERENT TYPES OF IRRIGATION AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Analyze the causes and consequences of water scarcity in India. Highlight the measures taken so far and suggest additional strategies to address this critical challenge.
(15 marks, 250 words)
Water Scarcity in India: Challenges and Solutions
India faces a severe water crisis that has the potential to escalate into a socio-political and economic emergency. The interplay of extreme weather events, depleting natural resources, and drying fertile lands has made water scarcity a critical issue, demanding immediate attention.
Emerging Polycrisis and Its Implications
The term “polycrisis” aptly describes the complex and interconnected challenges facing humanity today. This goes beyond the previously defined “triple planetary crisis” (climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss) to encompass broader issues like:
- Climate change and environmental disruptions,
- Widening social inequalities,
- Pandemic effects, and
- Geopolitical polarization.
Amid these multifaceted challenges, preserving natural resources—especially water—is vital. With 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its water resources, India faces a significant demand-supply imbalance that has worsened over the years. While groundwater resources were pivotal for the Green Revolution in the 1960s, today, India’s water tables are depleting at an alarming rate.
Major Causes of Water Scarcity
- Climate Change
- Melting glaciers, changing rainfall patterns, and increasing droughts disrupt freshwater availability.
- Global warming has exacerbated extreme events like floods and heatwaves, intensifying water stress.
- Water Pollution
- Contamination from industrial effluents, pesticides, fertilizers, and untreated sewage degrades water quality, making it unfit for consumption or use.
- Growing Demand for Freshwater
- Population growth and urbanization have tripled the demand for water over the last 50 years. Efficient water management is urgently needed to meet rising needs.
- Overuse and Mismanagement
- Agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater use, with India being the largest consumer of groundwater. Inefficient practices exacerbate the overextraction of resources.
Impacts of Water Scarcity
- Declining Water Tables
- Over-abstraction leads to higher pumping costs, salinity intrusion, and long-term water shortages, particularly impacting farmers and rural communities.
- Health and Accessibility Issues
- Poor water quality and lack of sanitation cause diseases and disproportionately affect marginalized groups, particularly women and girls.
- Food and Livelihood Insecurity
- Water scarcity threatens agricultural productivity and food security, impacting millions of livelihoods across the country.
- Hindrance to Sustainable Development
- Challenges in energy, health, and infrastructure due to water scarcity directly impede India’s sustainable growth goals.
- Conflict over Resources
- Disputes over limited water resources are intensifying at local and national levels and could escalate into geopolitical tensions.
- Biodiversity Loss
- Ecosystems reliant on freshwater resources suffer, with wetlands, floodplains, and aquatic biodiversity under threat.
Government Initiatives to Address Water Scarcity
- Atal Bhujal Yojana
- Launched in 2019, it aims to enhance groundwater management through community participation and sustainable usage practices.
- Mission Amrit Sarovar
- Focuses on rejuvenating 75 water bodies per district to boost water conservation.
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan
- A campaign emphasizing rainwater harvesting with the slogan “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls.”
- Jal Jeevan Mission
- Aims to provide potable water to all rural households by 2024.
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
- Focuses on improving irrigation efficiency, expanding cultivated areas under irrigation, and promoting water conservation practices in agriculture.
Strategic Measures for Resilient Water Management
- Policy Reforms
- Eliminate subsidies that promote water wastage.
- Improve governance to regulate water use and ensure sustainable financing for water infrastructure.
- Increased Financial Allocation
- Invest in infrastructure to address droughts and natural disasters. In 2023, the government allocated ₹7,532 crore for states affected by heavy rains and related calamities.
- Effective Planning
- Integrate localized and comprehensive planning, such as Kerala’s water budgeting initiative, which balances demand and supply.
- Pollution Control and Sewage Treatment
- Enhance monitoring of water quality and improve sewage systems to reduce contamination and health hazards.
- Top-Down Planning and Bottom-Up Implementation
- Adopt a dual approach for efficient planning and community-driven execution of water management strategies.
- Comprehensive Basin-Level Management
- Address long-term water scarcity through integrated river basin planning and interlinking projects to balance regional disparities.
Way Forward
Addressing India’s water crisis requires integrating water solutions into the broader climate and development agenda. Collaborative efforts by governments, civil society, the private sector, and communities are essential for managing water resources effectively. Investment in water security will not only ensure availability and quality but also bolster India’s socio-economic development and climate resilience.
