3 — major reasons of water crisis in India
1. Declining Water Availability:
India has 4% of the world’s water resources but supports 18% of the global population. The per capita water availability in India has been declining due to population growth and unsustainable water usage.
Following data is self-explanatory:
· In 1951, the annual per capita water availability was around 5,177 cubic meters.
· In 2011 it dropped to about 1,545 cubic meters.
· By 2025, it is projected to fall below 1,360 cubic meters, placing India in the category of water-stressed countries.
2. Groundwater Depletion:
Groundwater is a critical resource, providing about 40% of India’s water needs.
However, excessive extraction for agricultural, industrial, and domestic use has led to alarming depletion rates.
Over 60% of India’s districts have reported a significant decline in groundwater levels.
In some regions, the water table is falling by more than one meter per year, posing a severe threat to future water security.
3. Pollution and Contamination:
Water pollution is another issue of serious concern.
Industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage discharge into rivers and lakes have severely degraded water quality.
Nearly 70% of India’s surface water is polluted, making it unfit for drinking and irrigation.
Contaminants such as arsenic, fluoride, and nitrates in groundwater pose serious health risks to millions of people.
Other reasons of the Water Crisis
1. Population Growth and Urbanization:
India’s uncontrolled population bursting is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2025 (1461 million or 146 Crore), leading to increased water demand for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use.
Rapid urbanization further aggravated the problem, as cities expand without adequate water infrastructure, leading to over-extraction and pollution of water resources.
2. Climate Change:
Climate change is altering precipitation patterns, causing more frequent and severe droughts and floods.
These extreme weather events disrupt water availability, with some regions facing acute water scarcity while others experience waterlogging and contamination.
3. Inefficient Water Management:
India’s water management practices are often inefficient and fragmented.
Traditional irrigation methods, such as flood irrigation, result in significant water wastage.
Additionally, the lack of integrated water resource management and poor enforcement of regulations contribute to the unsustainable use of water.
4. Agricultural Practices:
Agriculture consumes about 80% of India’s water resources.
The widespread cultivation of water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane, especially in arid regions, puts immense pressure on water supplies.
