INDIA’S WATER CHALLENGE & SOLUTIONS

NEWS: India faces a serious water crisis despite having cultural respect for water

Key Facts

• India has: 18% of world population, Only 4% of global freshwater
• Per capita water availability: 2001 → 1,816 cubic metres, 2021 → ~1,486 cubic metres
• By 2050 → may reach water scarcity level (1,000 cubic metres)

Major Challenges

• Climate Change Impact: Irregular monsoon: Intense rainfall in short periods= floods + poor storage
• Groundwater Depletion: Indo-Gangetic plains, Over-extraction for agriculture
• Urbanisation Issues: Concrete surfaces → no water absorption=Flooding + no groundwater recharge
• Agricultural Pressure: ~90% of India’s water
• Water-intensive crops: Rice, sugarcane
• Rising Disasters: Extreme weather events–>cost India ₹5 lakh crore (2019– 2023)

Four Key Solutions

• Manage “Green Water” (Soil Moisture)àFocus not just on rivers (blue water) but also:
  • Water stored in soil (green water)
  • Steps: Improve soil healthàMulching, No-till farming, Cover cropping
• Reform Agriculture: Reduce: Water-intensive crops (rice, sugarcane)
  • Promote: Millets, pulses
  • Benefits: Save billions of cubic metres of water, improved nutrition, Farmer income
• Wastewater Reuse (Circular Economy): CurrentlyàOnly ~28% urban wastewater treated
  • Opportunity: Reuse treated water for: Agriculture, Industry
  • Can create: Huge economic value + jobs
• Reimagine Cities (BlueGreen Infrastructure): Shift from: Concrete → natural systems
  • Include: Wetlands, Urban forests, Permeable surfaces

Governance & Policy Reforms

Need:

• Better water governance
• Key measures: Real-time water accounting, Proper pricing of water, Strong regulation
• Use: Digital public infrastructure