Open Forum
New Delhi, 22 March
2023
Emerging Water Crisis
QUALITY & CONSERVATION CRITICAL
By Dhurjati Mukherjee
The demand for water in India is growing at a rather fast
pace at around 2.8% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2010 to 2030,
facing a supply gap of 50% by 2030. Thus, water scarcity is inevitable,
affecting all sections of society but specially those from the lower segments
of society. Records reveal that Indian women spend 150 million-odd days
collecting water annually losing an estimated Rs 10 billion (US$ 133 million)
in incomes. Most people are unaware that availability of freshwater resources
is such aacute problem that with just 4% of freshwater resources, India supports
18% of human population.
Indeed its distressing
to note that our cities and towns have grown without planning for water need
versus water availability. In 1951, the per capita water availability was about
5177 m3. This has now reduced to about 1486 m3 in 2021 with some regions being
water stressed, as per figures with Central Water Commission. A few figures
from the World Bank highlight the plight country is facing: 163 million Indians
lack access to safe drinking water;210 million Indian lack access to improved
sanitation; and 500 children under the age of five die from diarrhea each day
in India.
Meanwhile, a
recent report of National Statistical Office (NSO) pointed out that less than a
quarter of rural households and under two-thirds of urban ones in India
reported having piped water for drinking in their houses or yard. Though about
70% of the rural households reported having exclusive access to a latrine, most
of these can’t be considered toilets in the sense that we understand. Over 21.3%
have no access to a latrine.
The survey
called the Multiple Indicator Survey (MIS) was part of the 78th round of
National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), which was completed on August 15,
2020. Although the penetration of piped drinking water is abysmal in many States,
over 95% of people reported having access to an “improved source of drinking
water”. But this ‘improved’ source cannot be considered safe and free from
impurities.
As per the report, among major States, Assam, Jharkhand, Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha are among the worst hit in access to tapped drinking
water both in rural and urban households. Similarly, Bihar, Jharkhand and
Odisha have the lowest proportion of rural households with access to an
exclusive toilet.
Not India alone but in many parts of the world, 80% cent of
the impacts of climate change are felt through water, say experts. Many
countries are simultaneously grappling with three major kinds of water crises: “It’s
too much, it’s too little or it’s too dirty to use or drink.” Recently,
Csaba Kőrösi, President, 77th session of UNGA, called for transformative water
management policies and practices to circumvent these conditions, at a media
briefing in Geneva.
The fact is
that around 97% of the usable freshwater comes from groundwater and the
reliance on groundwater is immense and this is true even of India. Nearly half
the global urban population today uses groundwater sources to meet their daily
needs, according to UN World Water Development Report 2022. As agreed, water is
essential for food security, the UNGA President noted. “Around 40% of the grain
that we produce by 2030 will have to come from the lands that suffer droughts,
more serious than what we are experiencing today.”
In such a critical situation, there have been projections
that India would shortly become water stressed. Already most regions in the
north, west and south India face severe water crisis during the summer months.
And if rainfall is not adequate, the situation becomes quite acute.
This year, experts have already predicted that the El Nino
effect would result in drought-like conditions, thereby raising food inflation.
Several research reports highlighted the possibility of a drop in agricultural
output, keeping inflation high during the current year. As is well known, El
Nino and La Nino are climate patterns in the Pacific Ocean. They influence
climate conditions worldwide. The US-based National Oceanic & Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) predicted a re-emergence of El Nino with a high
probability (55-60%) in June-December 2023. This could adversely impact the
Indian monsoon during June-October and this view is also shared by Indian
meteorologists.
That climate change has affected water supply is evident
from the fact that both floods and drought like situations affect the country,
almost every year. Now, as predicted by various agencies, there is a likelihood
of a drought this year, which will have a strong bearing on food prices and
affect the poorer sections of the population. Moreover, the prediction of a
heat wave in March ahead of the rabi harvest and initial forecasts of a below
normal monsoon this year due to El Nino is further adding to concerns about
food inflation.
Keeping the
climate factor into consideration, the government has failed to effectively
manage water resources, leading to wastage and misallocation of water. The lack
of proper infrastructure for water storage, treatment and distribution also
contribute to the crisis. The changing weather patterns have resulted in more
frequent and intense droughts and floods, further exacerbating the water
scarcity.
To address
the grave situation, India needs a multi-pronged approach that includes
effective water management policies, investment in infrastructure for water
storage and distribution and promotion of sustainable water use practices. It
is also essential to increase awareness and education about the importance of
water conservation among the public.
The Government launched many initiatives such as Jal Shakti
Abhiyan (JSA), Catch the Rain Campaign, National Perspective Plan for Water
Resources, and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)-Har Ghar Jal but these have not been
effective enough. Under the JSA, it was the government’s goal to improve water
availability and even improve the groundwater conditions in the 256 marked
water-stressed districts in India. States like Punjab and Haryana have been
facing extreme stress on their groundwater level, the water has receded 9.2
meters, which is the highest among all the States in the country.
Thus, rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling has to
be introduced – even made mandatory -- at least in offices, institutions and
factories where water usage is quite high. Other important measures include
strict monitoring and implementation of laws by the government regarding
release of chemicals and effluents into rivers, streams, and ponds., NGOs, and
social activists are required.
Additionally, lack of on-time de-silting operations in
large water bodies is necessary as these can enhance water storage capacity
during monsoon. It is surprising that the state governments have not taken this
up on priority as an annual practice. This act alone can significantly add to
the water storage levels. In sum, there’s need for a concrete plan pertaining
to efficient water management and distribution of water between urban
consumers, the agriculture sector, and industry.
The
government needs to enhance its investment in technology pertaining to all
aspects of water, specially groundwater extraction and water contamination.
Moreover all stakeholders need to be included at the planning level to ensure
the optimization of existing water resources and also their judicious usage. In
fact, there is need for a multi-pronged approach that includes effective water
management policies, investment in infrastructure for water storage and
distribution and promotion of sustainable water use practices. ---INFA
(Copyright,
India News & Feature Alliance)
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