Water Resources Scenario in India: Its Requirement, Water Degradation and Pollution, Water Resources Management

Abstract

Earth's water resources, including rivers, lakes, oceans, and underground aquifers, are under stress in many regions. Humans need water for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industry; and contaminated water can spread illnesses and disease vectors, so clean water is both an environmental and a public health issue. In this article, learn how water is distributed around the globe; how it cycles among the oceans, atmosphere, and land; and how human activities are affecting our finite supply of usable water. The earth is sometimes called the watery planet as this is the only member in our solar system which has an abundant supply of water. Water is used as a raw material for various metabolic processes. It is an important ecological factor. It is also a very good solvent medium and has sustained life on earth ever since the biological origins of the living organisms.   Water as a resource has been known to humans since the remotest past and has been used by them as an essential life-supporting ingredient. The water resources in India can be classified into three aspects for the purpose of study. Each of these categories is a part of the earth’s water circulatory system. Water is the most important source of energy in the Indian economy. About 25 per cent of electricity generated in the economy is from the hydel sources. The other important use of water is irrigation. In a country where agriculture gives twists and turns to the whole economy, provision of water can make all the difference; it can either stimulate the economic activity or depress it altogether.  The important sources of water can be classified into two parts: (i) surface water, and (ii) ground water. Surface water is available from such sources as rivers. lakes, etc. Ground water is available from wells, springs, etc. Other sources of water which have not as yet been tapped in the country, but nevertheless represent a potential source are: saline springs, snow and ice-fields. Surface water sources are replenished by rainfall. Of the two sources, surface water is more important and possesses potential of growth in future. Surface water is available in the form of vast network of rivers available in the country. Overall India possesses large reservoirs of water, but these are inadequate as compared to their requirements. Compared to countries such as the USA, which stores about 5,000 cubic meters per capita and China, which stores around 1,000 cubic meters per capita, India’s dams can only store 200 cubic meters per person. A UN report (Water for People, Water for Life, 2003) ranks India 133rd in a list of 180 countries for its poor water availability. It also ranks India 120th for water quality in a list of 122 countries. A recent World Bank report reveals that per capita availability of water in India is 1,185 m³, against 9,628 m³ in the USA, 3,371 m³ in Japan, and 2,183 m³ in China. A late-2009 report by the US National Aeronautical and Space Administration brings out that the withdrawal of water in India is far higher than the recharge. This amounts to mining underground reserves built over thousands of years. 360 districts have reported water level decline of over 4 meters during the past 20 years. In nearly one-third of the blocks in the country, ground water reserves have been or are close to exploitation and this figure is likely to cross 60 per cent in another 25 years. As brought out by The UN World Water Development Report, 2009, the consequences are harrowing: drought and famine, loss of livelihood, the spread of water-borne diseases, forced migrations and even open conflict. Water is precious natural resource for sustaining life and environment. Effective and sustainable management of water resources is vital for ensuring sustainable development. In view of the vital importance of water for human and animal life, for maintaining ecological balance and for economic and developmental activities of all kinds, and considering its increasing scarcity, the planning and management of water resource and its optimal, economical and equitable use has become a matter of the utmost urgency. Management of water resources in India is of paramount importance to sustain one billion plus population. Water management is a composite area with linkage to various sectors of Indian economy including the agricultural, industrial, domestic and household, power, environment, fisheries and transportation sector. The water resources management practices should be based on increasing the water supply and managing the water demand under the stressed water availability conditions. For maintaining the quality of freshwater, water quality management strategies  are required to be evolved and implemented. Decision support systems are required to be developed for planning and management of the water resources project. There is interplay of various factors that govern access and utilization of water resources and in light of the increasing demand for water it becomes important to look for holistic and people-centred approaches for water management. Clearly, drinking water is too fundamental and serious an issue to be left to one institution alone. It needs the combined initiative and action of all, if at all we are serious in socioeconomic development. Safe drinking water can be assured, provided we set our mind to address it. The present article deals with the review of various options for sustainable water resource management in India.