India’s persistent water crises and how climate change could harm its economy

Source: The post India’s persistent water crises and how climate change could harm its economy has been created, based on the article “Moody’s warning and why India must pay heed” published in “Indian express” on 27th June 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3– environment-conservation

Context: The article discusses India’s persistent water crises and how climate change could harm its economy. It highlights water security as crucial for economic growth. Moody’s warns of potential disruptions in agriculture and industry due to water shortages, urging better water management practices.

For detailed information on Water Crisis in India read this article here

What is the current state of water availability?

1. Current Water Availability: India’s per capita water availability is currently 1,486 cubic meters, significantly below the safe threshold of 1,700 cubic meters set by the Ministry of Water Resources.
2. Projected Decline: It is projected to decrease further to below 1,400 cubic meters by 2030.

How does water scarcity affect India’s economic growth?

1. Disruption in Agriculture and Industry: Moody’s indicates that a lack of water could disrupt operations in farms and factories, directly affecting food production and manufacturing sectors.
2. Economic Impact: The potential rise in food prices due to disruptions in agricultural productivity could decrease real incomes, as noted by Moody’s, impacting economic well-being broadly.
3. Vulnerable Industries: Industries such as coal-fired power generation and steel production are highly vulnerable to water shortages, which could hamper their operations and output.
4. Threats from Climate Change: With forecasts of more intense heatwaves, the demand for water is expected to increase, further stressing the already critical water supply situation and impacting economic stability.

What government initiatives exist for water conservation?

1. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan, launched by the Ministry of Water Resources in 2019, focuses on rainwater harvesting and water conservation.
   For more information on Jal Shakti Abhiyan read this article here
2. Major cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai have laws mandating rainwater use, but enforcement is lax, and there is no comprehensive data on buildings equipped with water-harvesting structures.

What factors are impacting water demand in India?

1. Population Growth: India’s urban population is expected to swell by over 270 million in the next 20 years, increasing competition for water between businesses and households.
2. Industrial Expansion: The projected increase in industries, such as those generating 70% of India’s future electricity from plants not yet built, raises water demand significantly.
3. Inadequate Conservation Measures: Existing laws on rainwater harvesting in major cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai are poorly enforced, leading to underutilization of potential water sources.
4. Climate Change: Frequent heatwaves increase water usage for cooling and agriculture, exacerbating the demand pressures on already scarce water resources.

What should be done?

1. Promote Water-Saving Technologies: Adopt technologies such as dry cooling and non-freshwater cooling in new power plants to reduce the dependency on freshwater resources.
2. Enhance Water Pricing: Adjust water pricing mechanisms to reflect the true cost of water, encouraging more responsible usage and helping to preserve critical groundwater supplies.

Question for practice:

Examine how water scarcity in India impacts the country’s economic growth and what initiatives are being taken to address this issue.