WATER CRISIS

Water scarcity in India is a pressing issue, with significant implications for millions across the country. Despite being home to 18% of the global population, India grapples with a mere 4% share of the world's water resources. This stark imbalance has led to high water stress, with per capita water availability falling well below internationally recognized thresholds for water stress and scarcity. Erratic rainfall patterns further exacerbate the situation, widening the gap between water demand and availability. In Karnataka, the crisis has already affected thousands of villages, wards, and talukas, with Bengaluru particularly vulnerable due to heavy reliance on the Cauvery river and groundwater. Urgent action is needed to address this crisis and ensure sustainable water management amidst growing demand and climate variability.

REASONS BEHIND BENGALURU’S SEVERE WATER SCARCITY

1. Reduced Rainfall and Empty Water Reservoirs

• Insufficient rainfall impacts the Cauvery River, with reservoirs like Harangi, Hemavathi, and Kabini at only 39% capacity.

2. Depletion of Groundwater Sources

• Urban growth reduces groundwater recharge, leading to rapid depletion and drying up of borewells.

3. Inadequate Infrastructure

• Infrastructure lags behind urban growth, with Phase-5 of the Cauvery project expected for completion by May 2024 to improve water supply.

4. Climate Change

• Erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts attributed to climate change, with the El Niño phenomenon cited as a contributing factor.

5. Pollution of Water Bodies

• Approximately 85% of Bengaluru’s water bodies are polluted, according to a study by EMPRI.

6. Mismanagement and Inequitable Distribution

• Inefficient water management practices exacerbate the crisis, leading to unequal distribution.

7. Legal and Political Challenges

• Disputes over water sharing with neighboring states and conflicts between central and state governments hinder effective resource management and relief efforts.

CURRENT STATE OF THE GROUNDWATER CRISIS IN INDIA

1. Lack of Water Availability

• India, despite supporting 17% of the world's population, possesses only 4% of the world's freshwater resources, leading to challenges in meeting the water needs of its vast populace.

2. Groundwater Overuse or Overexploitation

• India is the largest groundwater user globally, with around 251 bcm per year, over a quarter of the global total.
• More than 60% of irrigated agriculture and 85% of drinking water supplies depend on groundwater, with projections indicating a decline in per capita water availability by 2025 and 2050.

3. Groundwater Contamination

• India faces groundwater contamination due to pollutants from human activities like domestic sewage.
• The country ranks low in the water quality index, with nearly 70% of water being contaminated, leading to health concerns from exposure to contaminants like arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, and iron.

4. Lack of Access to Safe Drinking Water

• Millions of Indians lack access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation, resulting in a high incidence of waterborne diseases.
• Unsafe water contributes to communicable diseases, and hundreds of children die from diarrhoea each day.

5. Future Projections

• Projections suggest that India's water demand will double the available supply by 2030, leading to severe scarcity for millions and potential economic losses.
• Groundwater depletion rates are expected to increase significantly due to global warming, exacerbating the crisis.

REASONS BEHIND THE CRISIS

1. Unplanned Urbanization

• Chaotic urban expansion disrupts local ecology and hydrology, leading to pollution of surface and groundwater sources due to effluent discharge.

2. Encroachment of Water Bodies

• Real estate development diverts lakes and water bodies, with nearly 90% of Bengaluru's lakes facing extinction, according to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

3. Loss of Blue-Green Infrastructure

• Shrinkage of water bodies and green spaces reduces rainwater harvesting potential.

4. Overexploitation of Groundwater

• India heavily relies on groundwater, with over 20 million wells contributing to its depletion, as observed in Punjab where groundwater levels fell significantly over two decades.

5. Sub-Optimal Planting Patterns

• Cultivation of water-intensive crops like sugarcane and paddy exacerbates water scarcity, especially in states like Maharashtra and Punjab.

6. Virtual Water Loss

• International trade in water-intensive crops leads to significant virtual water loss, further straining water resources.

7. Poor Storage Capacity

• India's per capita water storage capacity is low compared to other countries, hindering effective water management and storage.

8. Mismatch between Water Resource and Population

• Despite housing a significant global population share, India has limited access to water resources, exacerbating the crisis due to population pressure.

IMPACT OF WATER CRISIS IN INDIA

1. Public Health

• Lack of access to safe drinking water leads to waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea, affecting millions of people annually.
• Contaminated water sources contribute to the spread of diseases, particularly in rural and urban slum areas where sanitation infrastructure is inadequate.

2. Agriculture

• Water scarcity affects crop yields and agricultural productivity, leading to food insecurity and economic losses for farmers.
• Farmers are forced to rely on unsustainable groundwater extraction practices, exacerbating the depletion of aquifers and long-term water availability.

3. Economy

• Water scarcity impacts various sectors of the economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, leading to reduced production, job losses, and decreased economic growth.
• Industries dependent on water face operational challenges, affecting output and profitability.

4. Environment

• Depletion of groundwater resources and reduced river flows disrupts ecosystems, leading to loss of biodiversity and habitat degradation.
• Drought conditions and water scarcity contribute to soil erosion, desertification, and deforestation, exacerbating environmental degradation.

5. Social Issues

• Water scarcity disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including women, children, and marginalized communities, exacerbating socio-economic disparities.
• Competition for water resources can lead to conflicts and tensions among different user groups, communities, and states.

6. Urban Development

• Rapid urbanization and population growth exacerbate water stress in cities, leading to inadequate water supply, deteriorating water quality, and sanitation challenges.
• Water scarcity hinders urban development and infrastructure expansion, limiting access to basic services and hindering socio-economic progress.

7. Climate Change

• Climate change exacerbates water scarcity by altering precipitation patterns, increasing temperature extremes, and intensifying droughts and floods.
• Extreme weather events such as cyclones and storms further disrupt water resources, infrastructure, and livelihoods, exacerbating the water crisis.

STEPS TO ADDRESS WATER CRISIS IN INDIA

1. Inclusive Water Governance

• Ensure representation of all castes in local water management committees and decision-making bodies.
• Guarantee that the voices of marginalized communities are heard and considered in water resource management.

2. Interlinking of Rivers

• Implement projects to connect surplus rivers with regions facing water deficits.
• Facilitate the transfer of water resources from areas of abundance to those in need.

3. Promote Water Conservation

• Encourage widespread adoption of rainwater harvesting techniques.
• Promote efficient irrigation practices to minimize water wastage in agriculture.

4. Invest in Infrastructure

• Allocate sufficient funds for the development and maintenance of water infrastructure projects.
• Explore innovative financing mechanisms to mobilize resources for water initiatives.

5. Promote Sustainable Agriculture

• Support farmers in transitioning to water-efficient farming methods.
• Encourage crop diversification and the cultivation of less water-intensive crops.

6. Address Pollution

• Enforce strict regulations to prevent and mitigate industrial and agricultural pollution of water sources.
• Invest in wastewater treatment facilities to ensure the safe disposal of contaminants.

7. Adopt One Water Approach

• Manage water resources holistically, considering the needs of all communities and ecosystems.
• Promote integrated water resource management strategies that prioritize sustainability and inclusivity.

8. Legal measures

• Strengthen and enforce laws that prohibit discrimination based on caste in accessing water resources, such as the SC/ST PoA,1989.

9. Community-based water management

• Empower local communities to collectively address water access challenges.
• Foster collaboration among community members from all castes to develop inclusive solutions.

10. Awareness generation

• Conduct educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of equitable water access.
• Challenge stereotypes and prejudices that contribute to discriminatory practices in water allocation and management.

MAJOR GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

1. National Water Mission

• The main objective of the NWM is ‘Conservation of water, minimising wastage, and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources development and management’.

2. The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

• Launched in 2019 with the aim to provide a functional tap connection within the premises of each rural household in India by 2024.
• The mission addresses SDG target 6.1 which focuses on achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.

3. Ministry of Jal Shakti

• The Government has created the Ministry of Jal Shakti in May 2019 to consolidate interrelated functions pertaining to water management.

4. Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY)

• The aim of the scheme is to improve the management of groundwater resources in such areas, which accounts for about 37 percent of such blocks in the country.

5. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

• It is a centrally sponsored scheme (core scheme) launched in 2015. The centre- state share will be 75:25 per cent. In the case of the north-eastern region and hilly states, it will be 90:10. Its objectives are-

6. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)

• It aims to provide Central Loan Assistance (CLA) to major and medium irrigation projects that were in an advanced stage of completion to achieve the targeted potential, ultimately resulting in saving water and improving efficiency. 

7. National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM)

• Under NAQUIM, groundwater aquifers have been mapped and management plans have been made for 80 percent of the country.

8. Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE)

• It will be a facilitator for the promotion of improving water use efficiency across various sectors namely irrigation, drinking water supply, power generation, industries, etc., in the country.