💧 Introduction
Water is essential for agriculture, industries, domestic needs, and sustaining ecosystems. India receives an average annual rainfall of about 117 cm, yet it faces challenges like regional disparity in availability, seasonal fluctuations, overuse, and pollution of water resources.
🌊 Water Resources in India
- India has both surface water (rivers, lakes) and groundwater resources.
- Major river systems: Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra (Himalayan); Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, Mahanadi, and Cauvery (Peninsular).
- Groundwater is crucial in states like Punjab, Haryana, UP, and Rajasthan for irrigation.
- Wetlands, ponds, and tanks support biodiversity and serve local water needs.
📊 Water Availability and Utilization
- India's total annual water availability is estimated at 1,869 billion cubic meters (bcm).
- Usable water: About 1,122 bcm (690 bcm surface and 432 bcm groundwater).
- Irrigation is the largest consumer of water, followed by domestic and industrial use.
📉 Problems of Water Scarcity
Water scarcity is caused by:
- Uneven spatial and seasonal distribution of rainfall
- Excessive use of groundwater in agriculture (e.g., Green Revolution areas)
- Pollution of rivers, lakes, and groundwater sources
- Neglect of traditional water harvesting systems
- Conflict between states over river water sharing (e.g., Cauvery, Krishna)
🛠️ Water Conservation and Management
Efficient water management is necessary to deal with scarcity. Methods include:
- Rainwater harvesting and rooftop water collection
- Revival of traditional water tanks and ponds
- Watershed development programmes
- Drip and sprinkler irrigation in water-scarce areas
- Water recycling and reuse, especially in urban areas
🏞️ Inter-Basin Water Transfer
Inter-basin transfer refers to transferring water from surplus river basins to deficit basins through canals, tunnels, or pipelines. It is a debated topic due to ecological concerns and inter-state disputes. The National Perspective Plan aims to link Himalayan and Peninsular rivers.
🏛️ Government Initiatives and Programmes
- Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP): Launched in 1996-97 to assist states in completing major and medium irrigation projects to enhance irrigation potential.
- Bharatmala and Sagarmala Projects: Although primarily transport-focused, they involve waterway development that includes river linking and water management.
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Campaign for water conservation, especially in drought-prone districts.
- Atal Bhujal Yojana: Focuses on groundwater management in water-stressed areas.
- National Water Policy (2012): Emphasizes sustainable water use, conservation, and equitable distribution.
- Haryali : is a Central Government-sponsored watershed development initiative designed to empower rural communities by promoting the conservation of water for essential purposes such as drinking, irrigation, fisheries, and afforestation.
- The Neeru-Meeru (Water and You) programme in Andhra Pradesh andthe Arvary Pani Sansad in Alwar, Rajasthan, focus on constructing various water-harvesting structures like percolation tanks and dug-out ponds (Johads) to enhance water conservation and management.
🏙️ Urban and Rural Water Stress
Rural areas suffer from lack of irrigation and drinking water, while urban areas face issues of overextraction and contamination of water sources. The rising population, poor infrastructure, and wastage of water increase the pressure on available resources.
✅ Conclusion
India’s water resources need integrated planning, conservation, and efficient use. Participatory approaches involving local communities, along with technological and institutional interventions, are necessary for ensuring water security for future generations.