Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
- Briefly introduce India’s freshwater resources.
- Mention the average annual precipitation and per capita water availability.
- State the paradox of water abundance versus scarcity.
2. Current Water Resources Overview
- Fact: India receives an average annual precipitation of 1,170 mm, totaling about 4,000 cubic kilometers of rain each year.
- Fact: This translates to approximately 1,720 cubic meters of fresh water per person annually.
- Highlight that India accounts for 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its freshwater resources.
3. Reasons for Water Scarcity
- Unequal Distribution:
- Discuss the disparity in water resources among states.
- Fact: States like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have abundant resources, while Rajasthan and Gujarat face severe shortages.
- Increasing Demand:
- Elaborate on urbanization and population growth in cities.
- Fact: Rapid urbanization in cities like Bangalore and Chennai has led to increased water demand.
- Overexploitation of Groundwater:
- Explain how intensive agriculture affects groundwater.
- Fact: States like Punjab and Haryana rely heavily on groundwater, leading to aquifer depletion.
- Unsustainable Agricultural Practices:
- Discuss practices such as mono-cropping and their impact.
- Fact: Excessive fertilizers contribute to pollution, making water less available.
- Climate Change:
- Highlight the effects of climate change on water resources.
- Fact: Prolonged droughts have affected states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
- Poor Water Management:
- Discuss the consequences of inadequate infrastructure and management.
- Fact: Bihar has poor irrigation practices, leading to inefficient water use.
4. Conclusion
- Summarize the main points.
- Emphasize the need for a multifaceted approach to address water scarcity.
- Suggest potential solutions for better water management and resource allocation.
India’s Water Scarcity Despite Abundant Freshwater Resources
1. Uneven Distribution of Water Resources: Although India has substantial freshwater resources, they are unevenly distributed. For instance, the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin in the north receives abundant rainfall, while the Arid and Semi-Arid regions in the west, like Rajasthan, face severe water scarcity.
2. Population Pressure: India’s large and growing population exacerbates water scarcity. Rapid urbanization and increased water demand from domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors strain available resources. For example, cities like Delhi and Mumbai face severe water shortages due to high demand and inadequate supply infrastructure.
3. Over-extraction and Pollution: Excessive groundwater extraction for irrigation and domestic use has led to declining water tables. In Punjab and Haryana, overuse of groundwater for agriculture has caused depletion. Additionally, industrial discharge and domestic sewage pollute water bodies, further reducing available clean water.
4. Inefficient Water Management: Poor water management practices and inadequate storage facilities contribute to water scarcity. Dams and reservoirs often fail to meet the needs of all regions. The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project in Telangana aims to address these issues but highlights ongoing challenges in balancing needs across regions.
5. Climate Change: Climate change impacts precipitation patterns, causing erratic rainfall and exacerbating drought conditions. Recent droughts in Maharashtra and Kerala illustrate how shifting climate patterns affect water availability.
Addressing these issues requires comprehensive water management strategies, improved infrastructure, and sustainable water use practices to mitigate water scarcity effectively.
Despite being well-endowed with freshwater resources, India suffers from significant water scarcity due to several critical factors:
While India possesses significant water resources, mismanagement, pollution, and demographic pressures contribute to its ongoing water scarcity challenges. Sustainable water management practices and pollution control measures are critical for addressing this issue.
Model Answer
Introduction
India experiences an average precipitation of 1,170 mm per year, translating to around 4,000 cubic kilometers of rain annually, or approximately 1,720 cubic meters of fresh water per person. With 18% of the global population and only 4% of the world’s water resources, India should theoretically have sufficient water. However, the country endures significant water scarcity, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
Reasons for Water Scarcity in India
Unequal Distribution
Water resources are not evenly distributed across the country. States like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh enjoy abundant water, while arid regions such as Rajasthan and Gujarat face severe shortages. This disparity leads to significant regional water stress.
Increasing Demand
Rapid urbanization in cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad has escalated water demand. The burgeoning population in these urban areas exacerbates the strain on already limited water resources.
Overexploitation of Groundwater
Intensive agricultural practices in states such as Punjab and Haryana rely heavily on groundwater, leading to aquifer depletion. The over-extraction of groundwater has caused significant long-term damage to these vital resources.
Unsustainable Agricultural Practices
Practices like mono-cropping and excessive use of fertilizers contribute to water pollution, further contaminating freshwater resources and making them less available for consumption.
Climate Change
Prolonged droughts have increasingly affected states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, dramatically reducing water availability and exacerbating scarcity.
Poor Water Management
Inadequate irrigation infrastructure and inefficient water use in states like Bihar worsen the water scarcity issue. Poor management practices lead to wastage and ineffective distribution of water resources.
Conclusion
Despite India’s ample freshwater resources, the country faces water scarcity due to unequal distribution, rising demand, overexploitation, unsustainable practices, climate change, and poor management. Addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to improve water management and ensure water security for all.