Problems with Water Resource Management

Water Resources are fundamental to human existence. In every country, there are special provisions to manage available water resources efficiently and supply them to end-users. In India, too, we have available water resources for the increasing population, but some issues give rise to its management. Various factors lead to water resource management problems. They are like mismanagement of water resources, pollution accumulation, and many more factors. 

What is the status of water resources in India? 

The Earth is considered a blue planet because three-fourths of the planet is covered with water. But, out of this water, two-thirds are covered with oceans, making it unfit for human consumption. 2.7% of available water is covered under ice sheets and glaciers; therefore, only 1% of available water is available for human consumption worldwide. India possesses only about four per cent of the world’s water resources out of this 1%. But it accounts for nearly 18% of the world’s population for water consumption. This diversifies the needs and increases the demands of the population. Therefore, it is essential to manage the available water resources efficiently for all the population. 

India receives nearly 4000 billion cubic metres (BCM) of rainfall, and after evaporation, it only amounts to 1137 BCM. With this water availability, there is temporal and regional diversity in India. Some states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have surplus water, while on the other hand, there are states like Maharashtra that have scarce water resources. There are these differences that make it difficult for water management. 

What are the Problems with Water Resource Management? 

In India, there are water resources of around 1123 cm, and its demand is nearly 750 BCM. But according to researchers, by 2050, the demand would increase to 1180 BCM, which would increase the availability of resources. Therefore, water resource management is essential, but there are specific issues. 

• Many areas are under a rain-fed region: As the Indian monsoon is the vital source of water, there is water scarcity if the monsoon is not good. The monsoon feeds the underground water, rivers, lakes, and other reservoirs, and if these sources do not receive their potential water, water distribution is a problem. As the Indian monsoon has become vulnerable to various factors like El-Nino and climate change, there is a change in monsoon patterns. Thus, it is leading to issues in water resource management
• Uneven distribution of rainfall: Although India has monsoon or southwest monsoon, there is an uneven rainfall distribution. Some regions have surplus rainfall, like the northwest region, and some regions face droughts like Rajasthan. So, this uneven rainfall distribution makes it difficult to manage the resources
• Proliferating demand for water: India is facing exponential population growth and increasing urbanisation, rising needs of irrigation facilities for agriculture, and another domestic usage, which has led to an increase in water demands. The increase in population in city areas requires more water resources supply in the cities; therefore, another problem arises of uneven water distribution within the state between rural and urban areas
• Urbanisation led to water issues: As there is a rapid increase in urban areas, there are problems with water resource management. The urban areas are made with giant skyscrapers, cement roads, concrete roads, buildings, and such infrastructures. This infrastructure does not allow land to retain water underground. Thus, it also increases the problem and transfers or supply of water from rural areas or rivers to urban areas. Industries in urban areas require water, and therefore it again leads to disparity and related issues
• Urban sewage: There are many sewage issues in urban areas, leading to an increase in water pollution in the available water resources. It is leading to the deterioration of water quality in rivers and lakes. There are very few measures that can solve sewage management issues in India
• Overexploitation of groundwater: There is extreme usage of available groundwater in rural areas for irrigation purposes. There is a free power supply for irrigation. Therefore, there is more utilisation of water resources. Borewells and dug wells are also leading to more usage of groundwater. There is nearly 85% of groundwater that has been utilised in the last four decades. This is an unsustainable usage of water and thus increases the stress of water resources
• Ineffective cultivation practises: Nearly 70% of India’s population practice agriculture as their main livelihood. But ineffective and inefficient cultivation practices lead to an increase in the salinity of freshwater. There is an increase in silts in reservoirs and, therefore, depletes the groundwater level. It is also leading to pollution of freshwater
• Water pollution: There is an increase in water pollution due to industrial effluents, urban sewage, and domestic waste. This leads to the pollution of rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and freshwater resources. Therefore, it decreases its qualities and leads to management issues. Central Pollution Control Board reduces and guides water pollution to use the water effectively 

What is the impact of water mismanagement? 

• Economic Impact: The water resources are directly proportional to economic growth. Various sectors require water, and also, as a human being, water is an essential component. If there is mismanagement of the same, there would be a significant impact on the economy. According to NITI Aayog, there would be twice the demand for water by 2030, and by that time, India could lose 6% of GDP growth due to mismanagement issues. As there are fewer or poor water management resources, India faces power supply issues. There is a decrease in power generation, which would directly have a massive impact on water resources
• Agricultural Impact: Agricultural production is entirely dependent on water, and as there would be a decrease in water with poor management, there would be a decrease in production
• Increase in Water Conflicts: India has already faced water conflicts among various states like the Cauvery water dispute, Narmada water dispute, Krishna water dispute, and various other disputes among the states. Problems with water resource management would further aggravate the issues 

Conclusion 

The preceding discussion of water resources has produced a number of crucial messages. Demand for these scarce resources continues to increase as populations develop and relocate. Reliable information about the quantity and quality of water available, as well as how this availability varies over time and from place to place, is essential for effective management. It is critical to improve our understanding of all aspects of the water cycle, as well as how human activities affect it, in order to maintain and manage water resources in a sustainable manner.