World Water Day: Are we ready for the thirsty future? 

News: Notwithstanding, water scarcity and river pollution, we are making things worse for the conservation of the valuable resource.  

What is Water Scarcity? 

Water scarcity implies that either sufficient water is not available (because it does not rain, the water table has gone down, or the demands have increased) or water is inaccessible (because it is present in snow-capped mountains and glaciers, the infrastructure is not appropriate or because of geopolitical factors).   

Situation wrt Water Scarcity 

In the 15th century, Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri because of water scarcity.  

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 50% of the world’s population will be facing acute water shortage by 2025.  

According to the World Resources Institute, India is among the top 20 countries facing severe water stress. India’s groundwater usage far exceeds that of China and the United States combined. 

In 2022, Indonesia announced that it may be shifting its capital from Jakarta. It fears that the entire city could sink by 2050 due to recurrent floods. 

What are the factors behind increasing water scarcity? 

Availability of water has become critical due to reduced water table coupled with declining rainfall, and persistent drought-like conditions.  

Agriculture: The Green Revolution led to extensive cultivation of water intensive crops. It led to high level of groundwater extraction. This further resulted into groundwater depletion. For example, the GW extraction is critical in States of the Northern Plains, and other states like Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.  

The factors like population increases, affluent lifestyles, and industrialisation are also contributing towards the looming water crisis. For example, Shimla has been facing acute water crisis and may face “Day Zero” in the coming future due to the problem of over tourism.  

In the coming years, Climate change may lead to shrinking of the Himalayan glaciers. It may make Ganga and Yamuna seasonal rivers. Consequentially, they will flow only during monsoon and not during summers.  

Why is it important to tackle the water crisis? 

Water is important for the survival of life on this planet. This can affect food production and the lives of millions of people dependent on these rivers.  It is also important for economic growth.   

The right to clean and right to safe water has been recognized as a human right by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010. 

What is the way forward? 

Policy related reforms are needed for water management. For example, the Interstate water dispute should be resolved in an amicable way.  

Inter-ministerial coordination should be  promoted between all the union ministries which are related to water use and consumption.  

The smart and climate-resilient agriculture should be adopted.

There has to be adequate infrastructure for distribution of water. It will lead to improved access to water and foster social equality.   

Mitigate climate change. It will mitigate associated extreme weather events. It will also ensure a water-secure world.  

Water management should be taken up at the local level. It is because water is a local resource. It depends on the hydrology, climate, terrain and geography of a particular area. Therefore, solutions should also be local.  

Source: The post is based on an article “World Water Day: Are we ready for the thirsty future?” published in Down to Earth on 22nd March 22