Q16. India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity.

Model Answer:

Introduction

India is endowed with substantial freshwater resources, including rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Despite this abundance, the country grapples with severe water scarcity in many regions. This paradox can be attributed to various interrelated factors.

Body

Reasons for Water Scarcity in India:

• Population Pressure:
  • High Population Density: With over 1.4 billion people, India’s demand for freshwater is immense. Rapid population growth exacerbates the pressure on existing water resources, leading to over-extraction and depletion.
  • Urbanisation: Increasing urbanisation has resulted in higher water demand for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use, further straining available freshwater resources.
• Inefficient Water Management:
  • Poor Infrastructure: Inadequate water infrastructure, including distribution systems, storage facilities, and irrigation systems, leads to significant water losses due to leaks and wastage.
  • Lack of Effective Policies: Ineffective water management policies and lack of inter-state cooperation on transboundary rivers hinder efficient utilisation of water resources.
• Agricultural Practices:
  • Water-Intensive Crops: The predominance of water-intensive crops, such as rice and sugarcane, in regions with limited water supply leads to excessive groundwater extraction and depletion.
  • Inefficient Irrigation Techniques: Traditional irrigation methods, such as flood irrigation, are inefficient and result in substantial water wastage.
• Climate Change:
  • Erratic Monsoons: Climate change has led to unpredictable rainfall patterns, causing droughts in some regions and floods in others. This variability exacerbates water scarcity.
  • Glacial Melt: The retreat of glaciers in the Himalayas, which are vital for river systems, threatens the long-term availability of freshwater.
• Pollution and Contamination:
  • Industrial and Domestic Waste: Water pollution from industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and domestic waste has contaminated many freshwater sources, rendering them unusable.
  • Groundwater Depletion: Over-extraction of groundwater for agriculture and domestic use leads to lowering water tables and pollution from inadequate sanitation practices.

Conclusion

‍India's struggle with water scarcity is not due to a lack of freshwater resources but rather a combination of population pressure, inefficient water management, unsustainable agricultural practices, climate change impacts, and pollution. To address water scarcity effectively, the country must adopt comprehensive water management strategies, promote sustainable agricultural practices, enhance infrastructure, and strengthen policies for equitable distribution and conservation of water resources.

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