Some Thoughts on Water Resource Issues and Management in India (original) (raw)

Water Resources Issues and Management in India

Water is one of the most essential natural resources for sustaining life. Its development and management play a vital role in agriculture production. Integrated water management is vital for poverty reduction, environmental sustenance, and sustainable economic development. In view of the rapid increase in population, urbanization, and industrialization, the demand for water for meeting various requirements is continuously increasing. Therefore, we are facing numerous challenges in the water sector, which include reducing per capita water availability, the decline in groundwater table in many areas, and saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers. The quality of surface water and groundwater is also deteriorating because of increasing pollutant loads from various sources. Climate change may also adversely affect the availability and distribution of water resources. This article presents an overview of relevant issues pertaining to development and management of water resources in India.

Water Resources in India: Need for Holistic Development and Cautious Exploitation

2003

Water resources occupy a special place among other natural resources. Water is also fundamental for sustaining a high quality of life and economic and social development. From the very beginning, humanity has realised the vital importance of water in principle but has been reckless about its use in practice. If we see the global water supply and demand, less than one per cent of all the water on our planet is fresh and available for use. The estimates suggest that the earth's hydrosphere contains a huge amount of water, but 97.5 per cent of this is saline water, and only 2.5 per cent is fresh water. Out of available fresh water, 68.7 per cent is in the form of ice and permanent snow cover in polar and high mountainous regions. Fresh groundwater comprises 29.9 per cent of fresh water resources. Only 0.26 per cent of the total amount of fresh water on the earth is concentrated in lakes, reservoirs and river systems (Shiklomanov, 2000). Realising the severity of problem, the National Water Policy was first adopted in September 1987. Since then, a number of issues and challenges have emerged in the development and management of the water resources. It was further reviewed and the new National Water Policy was released in April 2002 (Government of India, 2002 a). The Policy emphasises on development of database regarding water availability, actual water use, comprehensive and reliable projections of future demands of water for diverse purposes. A need was felt to develop non-conventional methods for utilisation of water such as through inter-basin transfers, artificial recharge of ground water and desalination of brackish or sea water as well as traditional water conservation practices like rainwater harvesting, including roof-top rainwater harvesting. The Policy gave highest priority to drinking water followed by irrigation, hydropower, ecology, agro-and non-agricultural industries and lastly, navigation and other uses. The involvement and participation of the beneficiaries and other stakeholders right from the project planning stage itself was also emphasised. Irrigated agriculture is the dominant user of water, accounting for about 80 per cent of global and 86 per cent of developing country water consumption. The multiple roles and values of agricultural water must be recognised, evaluated and taken into account for the development and management of water resources (Third World Water Forum, 2003). India has made large strides in agriculture and irrigation

Water Resources Management in India: Challenges and Initiatives

This article explores the challenges and initiatives in water resources management in India. The uneven distribution of water resources, population growth, and climate change make water management in India a complex and challenging task. The article discusses various policies and programs implemented by the Indian government to manage water resources effectively, including the National Water Policy, Namami Gange, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, National Groundwater Management Improvement Scheme, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The challenges in water resources management in India, such as the lack of awareness, poor infrastructure, policy implementation, groundwater over-exploitation, and climate change, are also discussed. The article concludes that effective water resources management in India requires a multi-pronged approach involving various stakeholders and the adoption of sustainable water management practices.

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA

The present paper examines the issues and challenges of water resource management in India. The National Water Policy has suggested various measures for effectively managing the water resources. It suggests to understand the availability of water and scarcity. Besides, the economic value of water has to be understood where huge amount of water is misused, wasted and inefficiency usage. Reforms has to bring changes in local bodies and water users association. Without the financial support of the Government, the association cannot complete the mission in managing water bodies. The paper suggest to the Government to draft policies for creating new water users associations for managing the water bodies in the country

Water in India: situation and prospects

Water Policy, 2014

Although significant progress is being made in the development of water resources in India, problematic management issues remain despite increased funding, a sizeable resource base (though with remarkable spatial and temporal variation) and a vast land resource. A large population and increasing demand pose challenges for water resource professionals, and mean that India continues to struggle to meet its water requirements. A comprehensive review of the water sector was undertaken to provide perspectives on the way forward. Based on an extensive review of the secondary literature and five regional consultations with key stakeholders, the pressures and drivers in the sector were examined. These included changes in water availability and access, and the role of the State and water programmes, the community, market and civil society in providing access and control over water for the people. Recommendations are made and compared with two other significant sector reviews at a national an...

Water Resources Management in India–Challenges and the Way Forward

Current Science, 2019

India has been a challenge whose magnitude has risen manifolds over the past 50 years due to a variety of reasons, notably the rising demands and growing environmental degradation. Broadly, most of the challenges in water management in India can be categorized in the following groups: (a) water availability, variability and increasing withdrawals, (b) environment and quality, (c) project construction, (d) water sharing disputes, (e) water governance and institutions, and (f) challenges induced due to climate and land-use cover changes. Here we discuss each of these challenges in detail. It is suggested that conservation of water and management of variabilities should be a cornerstone of water resources management in India. This note also suggests remedies to address the challenges and covers new initiatives by the Government of India (GoI).

Water Status and Problems in India

Journal of Environmental Science, Computer Science and Engineering & Technology, 2013

The surface water and groundwater resources of the country play a major role in agriculture, hydropower generation, livestock production, industrial activities, forestry, fisheries, navigation, recreational activities, etc. Traditionally, India has been an agriculture-based economy. Hence, development of irrigation to increase agricultural production for making the country self-sustained and for poverty alleviation has been of crucial importance for the planners. The rainfall in India shows great variations, unequal seasonal distribution, still more unequal geographical distribution and the frequent departures from the normal. In view of the existing status of water resources and increasing demands of water for meeting the requirements of the rapidly growing population of the country as well as the problems that are likely to arise in future, a holistic, well-planned long-term strategy needed for sustainable water resources management in India.