Water Scarcity in India

India was once known to pump the most groundwater but unfortunately, it is now moving towards water scarcity. This is a serious issue that threatens not only public health but also the political and economic stability of the country. With an estimated population of around 1.3 billion, the country is unable to protect its water which is leading to more diseases and economic hardships. The groundwater of India is being depleted and contaminated at a fast rate. Thus, it is giving rise to other problems such as farming issues and food shortages.

India’s Water Crisis

The groundwater levels in India are depleting rapidly and the mercury levels are rising. This has made various states across the country experience frequent droughts. Without access to water, the daily activities like bathing, washing utensils, and so on, are being disrupted.

• The groundwater level of the capital of India, New Delhi, has also entered the danger zone. Moreover, unequal and inefficient distribution does not help at all. As India is majorly an agricultural country, most of its water supply is needed for farming.
• A good percentage is also utilised by industries. Consequently, when the water levels of the country decline, it impacts the production of grains, fruits, vegetables and other products. So, not only are the common man and farmers suffering in their daily lives but, overall, the country is also facing an economic crisis.
• Places like Satara, Jalna, Beed, and Nashik are experiencing severe droughts. Similarly, there is the problem of drying wells in New Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, etc. However, we cannot simply blame this scarcity on the disturbance in supply and demand.
• There has also been serious mismanagement of water resources that have led to India’s water crisis. In order to prevent the Indian cities from running dry, there need to be significant changes in managing the water resources.
• The use of groundwater is faster than its replenishment rate. Despite the rains in the monsoon, the forests of the country are turning into deserts. Moreover, the lack of dams and reservoirs just adds to the problem.
• The water that the rivers in India carry is not used optimally as well, more water is wasted than used. Thus, a lot of factors contribute to water scarcity in India.

Ways to Tackle the Water Scarcity in India

There are many ways in which water scarcity in India can be tackled. First of all, all citizens must be made aware of the crisis that is being faced by the country. Only when they learn about it can they do something to conserve water and stop misusing it.

Further, it is essential to employ beneficial agricultural practices. For instance, farmers can plant crops that do not require a lot of water and set up irrigation systems that do not have any leakage. Flow irrigation must be avoided to prevent overconsumption of water, soil erosion, etc. Micro-irrigation can be a great practice to resolve water scarcity.

The local governments must be encouraged to work for water conservation. They can make use of watershed development and monitor the usage of groundwater by farmers.

Similarly, at the community level, there must be enough focus on water conservation to reduce the pressure from groundwater. Proper dams must be built by the government for storage of water and efficient distribution. It is a great way of lifting the pressure from groundwater.

Most importantly, the government must adopt formal water policies and create management strategies for its water bodies. It can be beneficial for offering guidance to local administrations as well as citizens. As a result, everyone can learn to use surface water and groundwater properly.

Conclusion

Thus, India needs a solution right now through whatever means. The present water scarcity must be resolved to save the country from a bigger crisis in the future. Proper infrastructure and water resource management can tackle this problem well. Moreover, restoring environmental justice in the country is the need of the hour. This cannot be achieved through a single person or an organisation, everyone must come together to achieve this goal. Every citizen deserves to live with dignity and lead a comfortable life with access to basic needs. Thus, providing water to every community is the best way of ensuring this.