Elucidate the major reasons for prevailing water insecurity in our country. List out the various measures taken by the Government to arrest this negative trend.
Elucidate the major reasons for prevailing water insecurity in our country. List out the various measures taken by the Government to arrest this negative trend.
Water Scenario at the National Level:
- By 2030, India's per capita availability may shrink to half, which will push the country into the 'water scarce' category from the existing 'water stress' category. (World Bank)
- Currently, 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress. (NITI report)
- About two lakh people die every year due to inadequate access to safe water. (NITI report)
Reasons for water crisis:
- Decline in precipitation: On an average the annual rainfall declined from 1,050 mm of 1970's kharif season to 1,000 mm in 2015.
- Climate Change: Prolonged hot summers, short and dry winters, erratic monsoons further exacerbates the problem.
- Poor farming practices: Indian agriculture consumes around 90% of the country's annual water consumption.
- Water Pollution: Nearly 70% of the country's water is polluted with both organic and inorganic pollutants due to various sources.
- Lack of Water Storage facilities: Both at community and state level worsens the issue
- Lack of Water Data: Data in the water sector exists in silos, therefore it is limited and unreliable.
- Lack of Coordination among states: Inter-state water disputes result in poor National Water Governance.
Steps taken:
- National Water Policy 2012, treats water as an economic good for efficient use.
- With the help of Israel, the Govt. has launched the National Campaign for Water Conservation in India.
- PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana has been launched to promote water efficiency in agriculture.
- DDUGJY has been launched to separate electricity feeders for agriculture.
- Government gives push to National river-linking projects.
- River basin management bill will be passed soon.
- NITI Aayog launched the Composite Water Management Index to rank states in water management.
- India’s first Soil moisture map to ascertain the water scenario in different places.
- National Hydrology project launched to improve the water resources information network.
Conclusion:
- In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that the right to life guaranteed in article 21 of the constitution also includes the right to clean drinking water and the state is duty-bound to provide it. Nevertheless the water security can be ensured only if there is sufficient commitment from the general public.
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