News Highlight
The World Water Development Report 2022, published by UNESCO, mentioned global concern over the sharp reduction in freshwater sources.
Key Takeaway
- The report expressed concern over the sharp rise in freshwater withdrawal from streams, lakes, aquifers, and human made reservoirs, impending water stress; and also water scarcity being experienced in different parts of the world.
Reasons for the scarcity of fresh water.
- Growing water stress:
- A NITI Aayog report, “Composite Water Management Index” (2018), has sounded a note of caution about the worst water crisis in the country, with more than 600 million people facing acute water shortages.
- The Global Drought Risk and Water Stress map (2019) shows that major parts of India, particularly west, central, and parts of peninsular India, are highly water-stressed and experience water scarcity.
- The Water Scarcity Clock, an interactive web tool, shows that over two billion people live in countries now experiencing high water stress; the numbers will continue to increase.
- The transboundary transfer of water:
- Increasing the trend of transboundary transfer of water between rural and urban areas.
- A UN report on ‘Transboundary Waters Systems – Status and Trend’ (2016) linked this issue of water transfer with various Sustainable Development Goals.
- The report identifies risks associated with water transfer in three categories of biophysical, socioeconomic, and governance.
- Urban water use:
- According to Census 2011, the urban population in India accounted for 34% of the total population.
- It is estimated that the urban population component in India will cross the 40% mark by 2030 and the 50% mark by 2050 (World Urbanisation Prospects, 2018).
- Water use in the urban sector has increased as more and more people shift to urban areas, and per capita use of water in these centres rises, which will continue to grow with improved standards of living.
- Weak monsoon:
- Poor rainfall leads to the drying up of seasons, rivers, and water bodies.
- Previously, average monsoon rainfall spanned 45 days. This number has now decreased to 22 days.
- Groundwater depletion:
- Exploitive use of groundwater for agriculture and industrial activities has reduced the water level to below an acceptable standard.
Impact of the scarcity of freshwater
- Economy:
- Adverse effect on agriculture, energy production, industries and businesses.
- It may trigger slower economic growth and development.
- Society:
- The scarcity of freshwater may affect nutritional security and livestock farming.
- As primary stakeholders in water resource management, women largely affect women’s health, both mental and physical.
- Across India, it is estimated that women spend 150 million work days every year fetching and carrying water.
- Disputes:
- The reduction of freshwater sources may increase inter-state water disputes/ conflicts.
- For example, in the Cauvery Water Dispute, primarily between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
- Adverse effect on biodiversity:
- The inadequate water resources adversely affect both flora and fauna.
- Food security:
- India’s major crops are grown based on the availability of water resources.
- The inadequate availability of water could affect food security.
Government Initiatives
- National Water Policy:
- National Water Policy is formulated by the Ministry of Water Resources of the Government of India to govern the planning and development of water resources and their optimum utilisation.
- The first National Water Policy was adopted in 1987. It was reviewed and updated in 2002 and later in 2012.
- National Water Mission:
- The National Water Mission was launched in 2011.
- The main objective is “conservation of water, minimising wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution across and within states through integrated water resources development and management.”
- Atal Bhujal Yojna:
- It aims to recharge groundwater sources and ensure efficient water use by involving local people.
- The National River Linking Project:
- Interlinking project aims to address the issue of uneven distribution of water but has proved to be contentious between the government and civil society groups.
- Draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016:
- A Draft National Water Framework Bill 2016 was framed by a committee headed by Dr Mihir Shah.
- The Committee was formed by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The objective behind framing this bill was to conserve, manage, protect, and regulate the use of water.
Way forward
- Community participation:
- Managing water resources is the key to creating a water-secure future.
- Encouraging community involvement in improving water management is important.
- Use of technology:
- Appropriate and effective ICT solutions for smart-water management (SWM) must also be adopted to address water issues.
- Long-term measures:
- Long-term investment in educational programs, social awareness campaigns, improved infrastructure and facilities, and water diplomacy.
- Best Practice:
- Best Practice of Israel’s Model of water management.
- Israel promotes holistic water management systems and innovative water technologies.
- Incentive-based water conservation:
- Incentive-based water conservation in rural parts of water-stressed areas is another solution.
- For example, the government offers tax incentives to companies that spend their Corporate social responsibility (CSR) contribution on water conservation initiatives.
- Improve Water-use efficiency:
- Water-use efficiency in agriculture can be ensured by making farmers aware and by providing them, on the ground, with technologies like drip irrigation.
Pic Courtesy: The Asian age
Content Source: The Hindu