Water Scarcity in India

Water Scarcity in India is a huge problem. India faces a severe water crisis because it has only 4% of the world’s water for its 130 crs of population. The population of India accounts for 18 % of the world’s population. Every year, about 200,000 people die due to this crisis.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Water Scarcity in India in detail.

Water Scarcity in India

Water Scarcity States in India

Here’s a table listing states in India that commonly face water scarcity:

State	Description
Rajasthan	Desert state with limited water resources
Gujarat	Arid and semi-arid regions, facing water stress
Maharashtra	Drought-prone areas, especially in Marathwada
Karnataka	Regions like North Karnataka face water scarcity
Tamil Nadu	Water stress in many districts, including Chennai
Andhra Pradesh	Coastal regions face water scarcity
Telangana	Some districts experience water shortages
Madhya Pradesh	Water scarcity in certain regions
Uttar Pradesh	Parts of the state face water stress
Haryana	Agricultural state with water depletion issues

Water Scarcity in India – Major Statistics

India, with 18% of the global population, possesses only 4% of the world’s water resources according to the NITI Aayog Report of 2017. This scarcity ranks India among the most water-stressed nations globally. In Karnataka alone, over 7,000 villages, 1,100 wards, and 220 talukas have been impacted by the water crisis. Here are the major statistics regarding Water Scarcity in India as mentioned below.

Statistics	Numbers
Population without access to safe drinking water	163 million
Population without access to a safe toilet	678 million
Percentage of India’s population facing severe water scarcity yearly	80%
Population facing severe water scarcity all year round	180 million
Children under five dying from diarrhea daily in India	500
Communicable diseases linked to unsafe water	21%
Water resources available to 36% of India’s area	71%
Decline in annual per capita water availability since Independence	75%
Annual per capita water availability (1947)	6,042 cubic meters
Annual per capita water availability (2021)	1,486 cubic meters
Beneficiaries of Major Irrigation and Flood Management Project (West Bengal)	2.7 million farmers
Population lacking access to safe water (out of 1.4 billion)	35 million
Population lacking access to a safe toilet (out of 1.4 billion)	678 million

Causes of Water Scarcity in India

In India, where farming is super important and this has big effects. There might not be enough water for everyone because either there is not enough water or the systems to get it to people are not good enough. This lack of water is a big problem everywhere, especially for people who do not have a lot of money.

• Fast growth of cities and industries pollutes water sources, making them unsuitable for drinking and other uses.
• Inefficient farming methods and too much use of underground water worsen the issue by draining essential water sources needed for farming and drinking.
• Changing climate patterns make water scarcity worse by causing irregular rain, leading to droughts in some places and floods in others, disrupting natural refilling of rivers and underground water reservoirs.
• Poor water management practices, like ineffective distribution systems and not enough efforts to save water, make the problem worse.
• Lack of proper infrastructure, including too few water treatment plants and old farming systems, makes it hard to solve the water scarcity problem and provide clean and reliable water.
• Growing population makes the demand for water higher, putting more pressure on already limited water supplies.
• Social and economic differences make water scarcity worse, as poorer communities often lack access to clean water and toilets, keeping them trapped in poverty.
• Weak policies and not enforcing rules properly make water scarcity persist, showing the need for strong and effective government action to tackle the many problems causing water scarcity in India.

Effects of Water Scarcity in India

Water scarcity in India has profound effects on various aspects of life, economy, and the environment. Here are some of the key effects:

1. Impact on Agriculture:
   • Reduced agricultural productivity due to inadequate water for irrigation.
   • Crop failures and loss of livelihoods for farmers, especially in drought-prone regions.
   • Shifts in cropping patterns towards less water-intensive crops.
2. Public Health Crisis:
   • Lack of access to clean and safe drinking water leads to waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
   • Poor sanitation and hygiene practices exacerbate health issues, particularly in rural areas.
   • Women and children spend significant time fetching water, affecting their education and well-being.
3. Economic Consequences:
   • Disruption of industrial activities due to water shortages, affecting production and employment.
   • Decline in tourism in regions facing water scarcity, impacting local economies.
   • Increased costs for water-intensive industries, such as textiles and manufacturing.
4. Environmental Degradation:
   • Depletion of groundwater resources leading to land subsidence and soil degradation.
   • Loss of biodiversity and ecosystems due to drying up of wetlands, rivers, and lakes.
   • Increased pressure on forests and natural habitats as people search for alternative water sources.
5. Social Tensions:
   • Competition and conflicts over water resources among communities, leading to social unrest.
   • Migration from rural to urban areas in search of water and livelihood opportunities, straining urban infrastructure.
6. Impact on Energy Production:
   • Reduced hydropower generation due to low water levels in reservoirs and rivers.
   • Dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation, exacerbating environmental issues.
7. Food Security Concerns:
   • Decreased food production and increased food prices due to water scarcity affecting agricultural output.
   • Vulnerability of marginalized communities to food insecurity and malnutrition.

Measure To Overcome The Water Scarcity

Here are the possible measures to Overcome The Water Scarcity in India as mentioned below.

• A circular water economy: Using water efficiently and reducing reliance on outside sources.
• Water Saving Techniques: Introducing drip irrigation and other effective methods in farming.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Teaching people about saving water and keeping clean is important.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Updating water treatment plants and distribution networks is necessary.
• Sustainable Water Management: Managing water resources with input from everyone involved.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Working together with government, businesses, and NGOs can speed up progress.
• Community Participation: Giving local communities the power to manage water resources well is important.
• Technological Solutions: Looking into technologies like desalination, treating wastewater, and harvesting rainwater can offer new water sources.

Major Government initiatives to Solve Water Scarcity in India

Here are the major government initiatives to solve water scarcity in India as mentioned below.

Initiative	Description
National Water Mission	The NWM aims to save water, reduce waste, and ensure fairer distribution across states through integrated water resources development and management.
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)	Launched in 2019, JJM aims to provide a working tap connection within the premises of every rural household in India by 2024, aligning with SDG target 6.1 for universal and fair access to safe drinking water by 2030.
Ministry of Jal Shakti	Established in May 2019, the Ministry consolidates functions related to water management in India.
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY)	ABY targets improving groundwater management in about 37% of blocks in the country by implementing various measures.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)	A centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2015 to enhance irrigation efficiency and water use across various regions.
Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)	A component of PMKSY, AIBP provides central loan assistance for major irrigation projects, aiming to achieve targeted irrigation potential, save water, and enhance efficiency.
National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM)	NAQUIM maps groundwater aquifers and devises management plans for 80% of the country to ensure sustainable groundwater use.
Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE)	BWUE facilitates the promotion of water use efficiency across sectors like irrigation, drinking water supply, power generation, and industries, contributing to better water management nationwide.

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FAQs – Water Scarcity in India

What is the cause of India’s water scarcity?

Water can be scarce for many reasons: demand for water may be exceeding supply, water infrastructure may be inadequate, or institutions may be failing to balance everyone’s needs. Water scarcity is an increasing problem on every continent, with poorer communities most badly affected.

What is the current water crisis in India?

In India’s Bengaluru city (formerly Bangalore), thousands of people have been chasing tankers, taking fewer showers and sometimes missing work to store enough water to get through the day.

How bad is India’s water crisis?

According to the 2018 Composite Water Management Index report by the National Institution for Transforming India, India is facing the worst water crisis in its history. Approximately 600 million people experience high to extreme water stress

Which states in India have water scarcity?

India experiences uneven distribution of rainfall, with the majority of precipitation occurring during the monsoon season (June to September). States like Kerala and Meghalaya receive excessive rainfall, while arid regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat face chronic water shortages.

What are 5 causes of water scarcity?

Major Causes of Water Scarcity:

• Climate change.
• Natural calamities such as droughts and floods.
• Increased human consumption.
• Overuse and wastage of water.
• A global rise in freshwater demand.
• Overuse of aquifers and its consequent slow recharge.

What is the scarcity of water?

Water scarcity limits access to safe water for drinking and for practising basic hygiene at home, in schools and in health-care facilities. When water is scarce, sewage systems can fail and the threat of contracting diseases like cholera surges. Scarce water also becomes more expensive.