Water Crisis in India – Reasons, Impact, Government Initiatives

Water Crisis

• Water crisis refers to a situation where there is insufficient access to clean, safe, and reliable water to meet the needs of populations. The World Bank defines water scarcity as when the annual per-capita availability is less than 1000 cubic metres.
• Water scarcity hinders the achievement of SDG 6, which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Water Crisis Situation in India

• Limited Freshwater Resources: India holds only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources while supporting 17% of the world’s population. Freshwater scarcity is escalating due to climate change, rising demand, and over-extraction, particularly in agriculture.
• Water Stress: According to NITI Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) report, India is experiencing the worst water crisis in its history, with nearly 600 million people facing high to extreme water stress.
• Per Capita Water Availability: India’s annual per capita water availability was 1,486 cubic meters in 2021, which falls under the water stress category (less than 1,700 cubic meters). This is projected to reduce to 1,341 cubic meters by 2025 and 1,140 cubic meters by 2050.

Lack of Access to Safe Drinking Water

• Deaths Due to Inadequate Access: According to NITI Aayog’s CWMI report, 200,000 people die annually due to inadequate access to safe drinking water.
• Household Access to Drinking Water: 75% of households in India lack access to safe drinking water.
• Future Water Scarcity: By 2030, 40% of India’s population may face no access to drinking water.

Overexploitation and Pollution of Groundwater

• Largest Groundwater User: India is the largest user of groundwater in the world, consuming more than 25% of global groundwater.
• Contaminated Groundwater: Nearly 70% of groundwater in India is contaminated.
• Water Quality Index: India ranks 120^th among 122 countries on the Water Quality Index according to the World Bank Report on Global Water Crisis.

Reasons Behind the Water Crisis in India

Demand and Supply Imbalance

• Rising Water Demand: India’s water demand will be twice the available supply by 2030 (NITI Aayog). Groundwater depletion will triple by 2041-2080, worsening the crisis.
• Aquifer System Limitations: South India’s rocky aquifers cannot hold significant water, leaving the region vulnerable during prolonged dry spells.

Over-Extraction and Mismanagement

• Over–Extraction of Groundwater: High groundwater usage in agriculture, particularly for paddy cultivation in Punjab and Haryana, has led to drastic declines in water tables.
• Unplanned Urbanisation: Rapid urban growth, erosion of green cover, and encroachment of water bodies have strained water availability. E.g. Bengaluru’s lakes dwindled from 262 in 1961 to just 81.

Pollution and Encroachment

• Pollution of Water Bodies: Bellandur Lake in Bengaluru is heavily polluted due to industrial effluents and untreated sewage, making it unfit for use.
• Encroachment of Natural Water Bodies: Destruction of lakes, ponds, and wetlands for infrastructure needs leads to loss of natural water storage.

Climate and Environmental Challenges

• Climate Change: Erratic monsoons and increased frequency of floods and droughts have further reduced water accessibility and availability.

Infrastructure and Governance Deficiencies

• Poor Water Infrastructure: Inadequate supply networks, treatment plants, and storage facilities lead to high leakage and wastage.
• Governance and Policy Issues: Fragmented water governance, with separate bodies for surface and groundwater, and politicised inter-state disputes hinder effective management.

Public Awareness and Involvement

• Detached Citizens: Lack of public awareness and the perception of water as a free resource result in low conservation efforts and detachment from the crisis.

Impacts of Water Crisis in India

• Economic Impact: According to the World Bank, water scarcity could reduce India’s GDP by 6% by 2050, severely affecting economic growth.
• Social Impact: Contaminated water leads to health issues like malnutrition and disease, particularly among children, and escalates medical costs, particularly for vulnerable populations.
• Ecological Impact: Water scarcity and pollution threaten biodiversity, with the potential extinction of species and disruption of critical ecosystems.
• Federal Relations: The water crisis exacerbates inter-state disputes over river sharing, such as the Kaveri and Krishna rivers, and encourages regionalism, which undermines national unity.
• International Relations: Water shortages could escalate tensions between neighbouring countries, as seen in the case of India-China relations over China’s dams on the Brahmaputra River, potentially affecting India’s water supply.

Government Initiatives for Tackling Water Crisis

“Water is the elixir of life, yet its scarcity threatens India’s growth and sustainability.” To tackle this pressing challenge, the government has introduced several initiatives focusing on conservation, sustainable management, and equitable distribution of water resources.

• Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): Launched in 2019, JSA focuses on water conservation, recharge, and rainwater harvesting. Initially targeting 256 water-stressed districts, it now covers all 740 districts in India.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana: Focuses on sustainable groundwater management and recharge, with priority in seven states facing critical groundwater issues.
• Amrit Sarovars: Aims to create 50,000 water bodies, each covering one acre, for water conservation.
• Nal Se Jal Scheme: Part of the Jal Jeevan Mission, this scheme aims to provide piped drinking water to every rural household by 2024.
• Namami Gange Program: Focuses on pollution abatement and rejuvenation of the Ganga River to ensure clean water (Nirmal Dhara) and continuous flow (Aviral Dhara).
• Jal Shakti Ministry: Formed by merging various ministries, it is responsible for clean drinking water, resolving inter-state water disputes, and Ganga rejuvenation.

• National Water Policy: Promotes water conservation and the protection of water resources, emphasising rainwater harvesting.
• National Aquifer Mapping and Management Program: Aims to map and scientifically manage aquifers to ensure sustainable groundwater use.
• Mission Sahbhagita: Launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), this initiative encourages the participatory conservation and wise use of wetlands.

Way Forward for Addressing Water Crisis in India

• Traditional Practices: Reviving traditional water management systems like Ahar Pynes (Bihar), Johads (Rajasthan), and Kudimaramath (Tamil Nadu) while integrating them with modern rainwater harvesting techniques ensures sustainability and local participation.
• Demand-Side Management: Community-led initiatives like the Swajal Model (Uttarakhand) and groundwater rejuvenation programs can create a decentralised, participatory framework for water use and conservation.
• Nature-Based Solutions: Restoring wetlands, creating artificial floodplains, & adopting forest management practices enhance water retention, improve quality, and prevent disasters like floods and droughts.
• Technological and Data-Driven Approaches: Implementing real-time monitoring systems such as Andhra Pradesh’s online water dashboard and using AI tools like Clean Water AI ensures efficient resource utilization and contamination control.
• Regulatory and Policy Interventions: Mandating rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, and greywater management in urban and rural areas ensures long-term water sustainability. Tamil Nadu’s compulsory RWH model provides a replicable blueprint.
• Desalination: Desalination technologies like Reverse Osmosis (RO) and flash distillation offer a potential solution, with India’s 7,516.6 km coastline providing a significant opportunity.
• Although energy-intensive, declining energy costs make desalination more feasible, & immediate integration into India’s infrastructure plans is crucial to prevent a severe water crisis in the next 10-20 years.

• Addressing India’s water crisis requires a blend of traditional practices, modern technology, and integrated policies. By embracing the 5Ps: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership, India can ensure sustainable water management for future generations.

  Reference: PMF IAS | The Hindu | Livemint | Indian Express

PMF IAS Mains Pathfinder – Question 5

Q. Critically analyse the current water crisis in India and its implications for sustainable development. What measures can be taken to address water scarcity in the country? (250 Words) (15 Marks)

Approach

• Introduction: Briefly introduce the water crisis in India and its link to sustainable development.
• Body: Discuss the causes of water scarcity, its impacts on development, and the current water management issues.
• Conclusion: Provide solutions to address the crisis and conclude appropriately.