• As India’s population continues to grow and with most people still engaged in agriculture, water scarcity can be all the more debilitating. According to a report by US-based World Resources Institute (2015), approximately 54% of people living in India are already experiencing water scarcity.
• Similarly, a World Bank report estimates that the average per capita water available will decline from 1588 cubic meters to less than half that by 2030. Another study on climate change and water by the World Bank in 2016 has warned that the countries with water scarcity could lose up to 6% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2050.
• Since irrigation has become increasingly scarce in many parts of the country, farmers are experiencing many difficulties cultivating crops; in some states, farmers have even committed suicide citing crop failure. Such occurrences can affect the country’s food security.
• As the overall economic growth of our country is still heavily dependent on the agriculture sector — which also accounts for about 90% of the water consumed — India needs to address water scarcity more urgently than other countries.

Reasons for the Water Scarcity in India

• Changes in Water Storage:
  • Although the number of large irrigation dams has increased from 236 in 1960 to 5,334 in 2020,the gross water availability of dams dwindles during summer.
  • Studies show that perennial rivers like Ganga, Godavari and Krishna dry up in many places during summer.
  • It is estimated that thelevel of groundwater in Ganga and Brahmaputra, which are said to be the largest groundwater rich river basins in the world, declines by 15-20 mm per year.
  • Owing to human and other interventions in the catchment area, the sediment deposit in the water storage area of major and medium dams has increased,which is reducing the total water storage.
• Agricultural Demand:
  • The Ministry of Water Resources has estimated that the country’s total water demand may exceed the amount of water available for use by 2050, due to the rapid economic development and increasing population.
• Cultivation of more Water-Intensive Crops:
  • Due to income and market-related reasons,farmers have been cultivating more water-intensive crops in recent years.
    • For example, between 1990-91 and 2020-21, the area under water-intensive sugarcaneincreased by 32%, paddy by 6%, and banana by 129%.
  • This hasled to a rapid increase in the demand for water in recent times.
• Unequal Distribution:
  • Unequal distribution of water resources across different regions of the country is also a major issue. Some regions have abundant water resources while others face acute shortages.
• Over-extraction of Groundwater:
  • Over-extraction of groundwater for agriculture, industries, and domestic purposes has led to the depletion of groundwater levels in many parts of the country.
  • This has made it difficult for people to access water for their daily needs.
• Pollution:
  • The pollution of rivers, lakes, and other water bodies has made it difficult to use water for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes.
  • Industries and urban areas discharge untreated waste into water bodies, which not only pollutes the water but also reduces its availability.

Addressing the Issue of Water Conservation

• Encouraging Rainwater Harvesting:
  • India receives a significant amount of rainfall each year, especially during the monsoon season.
    • For example, in a single day,Mumbai received 950 mm of rainfall in 2005, Chennai 494 mm in 2015, and Mount Abu 770 mm in 2017. In November 2022, Sirkazhi in Tamil Nadu received 420 mm of rainfall in a single day.
  • By implementing rainwater harvesting systems, India can collect and store rainwater for later use. This can be done by building rainwater harvesting structures like rooftop rainwater harvesting, percolation pits, and recharge wells.
• Maintaining Small Water Bodies:
  • India has a vast network of small water bodies like ponds, lakes, and tanks, which play a vital role in recharging groundwater and providing water for irrigation.
    • The 5^thMinor Irrigation Census mentions that India has a total of 6.42 lakh small water bodies. Due to lack of proper maintenance, their storage capacity has been declining.
    • As a result, the irrigated area of tanks has declined sharply from 45.61 lakh hectares in 1960-61 to 16.68 lakh hectares in 2019-20.
  • Byrestoring and maintaining these small water bodies, India can help conserve water and improve the availability of water in nearby communities.
• Removing Silting:
  • Silting is a significant problem in many rivers, lakes, and ponds in India.
  • Over time, sediment and debris accumulate at the bottom of water bodies, reducing their storage capacity and impairing water quality.
  • By removing the silt and debris, India can restore the storage capacity of water bodies and improve the quality of water.
• Implement Efficient Irrigation Methods:
  • Agriculture is the largest consumer of water in India. Therefore, thegovernment should promote efficient irrigation methods such as drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation, which can reduce water wastage and improve crop yield.
• Adopt Water-Efficient Technologies:
  • The government should encourage the adoption of water-efficient technologies such as low-flow toilets, water-efficient washing machines, and dishwashers, which can significantly reduce water usage.
• Promote Awareness:
  • The government should conduct awareness campaigns to educate people about the importance of water conservation and the need to use water judiciously.

Steps taken

• National Water Policy, 2012
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan- Catch the Rain Campaign
• Atal Bhujal Yojana