India’s growing water crisis, the seen and unseen

Source– The post is based on the article “India’s growing water crisis, the seen and unseen” published in The Hindu on 15th September 2022.

Syllabus: GS1- Economic geography.GS2- Government policies for development in various sectors.

Relevance– About water crisis

News-The articles explain the growing water crisis and its impact on rural-urban disputes.

What are various reports that tell us about the growing water crisis?

UNESCO UN water development report tells about the global concern over sharp rise in freshwater withdrawal, water stress and water scarcity in different parts of the world.

New water report of FAO– sounded caution about this impending crisis.

Water Scarcity Clock– Two billion people are living in countries having high water stress.

Global Drought Risk and Water Stress Map- Major parts of India, particularly central, western and peninsular India are highly water stressed.

NITI Aayog “Composite Water Index”– 600 million people in India are facing acute water shortages.

What are the impacts of water scarcity?

Response of areas with water scarcity includes transfer of water from hinterland.

When the city is small, it depends on groundwater. As it grows, dependence shifts to surface water. With further growth it shifts to the hinterland. It is enhanced at the expanse of irrigation water.

It triggers sectoral and regional competition. Rural-urban transfer has become a cause of concern.

According to a review paper in 210, urban water infrastructure imports an estimated 500 billion liters per day over a combined distance of 27,000 km. 12% of large cities depend on inter-basin transfer.

A UN report on “Transboundary Waters Systems- Status and Trends” linked this transfer with SDG goals.

What is the status of urbanisation in India?

India is urbanising at a very fast rate. According to the 2011 census, it was 34% of the total population. The World Urbanization Prospect report says that it will cross 50% by 2050.

What is the case of Ahmedabad and other cities in India?

80% of its water supply was from groundwater till mid-1980s.City now depends on Narmada canal for water supply. It includes inter-basin transfer.

Almost all cities, that depend upon surface water, import water from the hinterland.

City water supply has become subject of inter-basin transfer.

Available studies from Chennai and Nagpur show the imminent possibility of rural-urban conflict.

What needs to be done?

There is a need for a system-perspective and catchment scale approach to link reallocation of water with a wider perspective on development.

Infrastructure investment for water resource management is needed.

Further there is a need for fostering rural-urban partnership and integrated approach in water management.

Institutional strengthening to build flexibility in water resource allocation at regional level.