India’s Water Shortage Crisis: Disaster That is Waiting to Unfold Further
India’s Water Shortage Crisis: Disaster That is Waiting to Unfold Further
114 million people in our country will now be facing acute shortage of water due to an ongoing crisis. While adequate coverage is given to topics such as poverty and development, India’s deepening water crisis remains a largely hidden menace. Soon, domestic, agricultural and industrial usage of water will face severe restrictions due to this crisis.
India’s water shortage crises stems from the fast depletion of groundwater supplies in many parts of northern India. This depletion of groundwater is taking place at such a fast pace that natural processes can no longer replenish them. The World Bank has estimated that India is the biggest user of groundwater following China. This does not bode well for us. If corrective action is not taken soon, India’s growth story will be rudely interrupted. After all, what good does it do to live in cities such as our capital if there is not enough water to meet daily needs?
Water shortage through uncontrolled depletion of groundwater is occurring due to wasteful usage of water. Over exploitation of groundwater resources by agricultural farmers is making the situation quite grim. Human activities are behind this tragedy which is waiting to unfold. What adds a further obstacle is the lack of action on the part of the leaders, authorities and administration.
Every year, Indian farmers are under the pressure of harvesting crops despite having poor irrigation facilities. Rain gods are evoked in the desperate hope that the monsoon will be timely and sufficient to provide water for farming needs. The dependency of Indian farmers on the monsoon will only lessen if leaders wake up and face hard facts. Unless more irrigation facilities and amenities are provided to the farmers, our agricultural sector and associated industries will continue to suffer and farmer suicides will be on the rise. What adds to the misery is a water crisis that no one wants to acknowledge. Lack of sustainable water management policies and petty bickering between states are only precipitating the gravity of the situation further.
Insufficient investment is also another reason why the water shortage problem is worsening. Lack of public investment in key sectors is the reason why water shortage is becoming a reality in Indian cities and towns across different regions. In villages, the situation is grimmer because water is required for agricultural as well as domestic purposes. Other factors such as rapid population growth and increase in density have also lead to significant changes in the water situation in our nation. Climate change has also proved to be a culprit. Another massive issue is the over exploitation of limited groundwater resources by certain sections of the corporate sector as well.
South Asia itself has been facing tremendous water shortage in recent times. The problem in India is part of a larger picture. UN’s climate scientists have indicated that coastal areas in Asia will be worst hit due to climate change. With the onset in climate change induced rise in seal levels, flooding, famine and droughts, inflation and water shortage are inevitable.
Any abuse of natural resources has an impact on the economy of the nation. Water shortage could soon be the next biggest problem confronting India. Groundwater is a buffer in the face of unpredictable monsoons for India’s farms and agricultural fields. But if this gets overused, there will be no support for the hapless Indian farmer. More shocking statistics are there. Over 60% of agricultural irrigation depends on groundwater in north India. Nearly 85% of north India’s drinking water comes from groundwater reservoirs. World Bank has gone so far as to predict that in 20 years, India’s aquifers will come to critical condition.
Demand for water is not going to lessen in India. If anything, it is only going to increase. Water shortage crisis has the power to disrupt food security, growth and development and national income. As water shortages become graver, the Indus River Valley basin could well become a point for sparring between neighbouring nations. Our rapidly dwindling water supplies could be the ignition point for all out war between nations in this region. Leaders should step up and take steps to curb the problem before it becomes a major disaster.
