The water scarcity crisis in Bengaluru presents a pressing call to action for India as a whole. Once known as the “Garden City,” Bengaluru now grapples with depleting groundwater levels, polluted lakes, and unreliable water supply. Rapid urbanization, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and mismanagement of resources, has exacerbated the problem. Urgent measures are needed, including investment in sustainable water management practices, rejuvenation of water bodies, and public awareness campaigns. Without decisive action, Bengaluru’s water crisis could serve as a harbinger of larger challenges facing India’s burgeoning urban centers.
Tag: GS – 3 Environmental Pollution & Degradation GS – 1 Water Resources
In News:
A recent article addresses the acute water scarcity in Bengaluru and evaluates the government’s initiatives to mitigate the crisis.
Reasons Behind Bengaluru’s Severe Water Scarcity
- Reduced Rainfall and Empty Reservoirs
- Impact: Insufficient rainfall affecting the Cauvery River, a primary water source.
- Data: Karnataka faced a 38% deficit in north-east Monsoon and 25% in southwest monsoon.
- Depletion of Groundwater Sources
- Consequence: Urban expansion reduces groundwater recharge, causing borewells to dry up.
- Impact: Falling rain and excessive extraction contribute to rapid groundwater decline.
- Inadequate Infrastructure
- Challenge: City infrastructure lags behind population growth, affecting water distribution.
- Solution: Anticipated completion of Cauvery project’s Phase-5 by May 2024.
- Climate Change
- Influence: Changing weather patterns impact reservoir levels.
- Connection: Poor rainfall attributed to the El Niño phenomenon.
- Water Bodies Pollution
- Concern: Industrial and sewage pollution renders water sources unfit.
- Study: 85% of Bengaluru’s water bodies contaminated, according to EMPRI.
- Mismanagement and Inequitable Distribution
- Issue: Inefficient practices worsen water scarcity.
- Challenge: Legal disputes hinder effective water resource management.
Current State of the Groundwater Crisis in India
- Lack of Water Availability
- Challenge: India supports 17% of the world’s population with only 4% of global freshwater.
- Report: NITI Aayog cites the worst water crisis, affecting 600 million people.
- Groundwater Overuse
- Fact: India is the largest global groundwater user.
- Dependency: Over 60% of irrigated agriculture relies on groundwater.
- Groundwater Contamination
- Issue: India ranks 120 among 122 countries in water quality.
- Concern: Groundwater contamination leads to health issues.
- Lack of Access to Safe Drinking Water
- Challenge: Millions lack access to safe water, leading to waterborne diseases.
- Statistics: 163 million lack safe drinking water, 210 million lack improved sanitation.
- Future Projections
- Projection: NITI Aayog anticipates water demand to double by 2030.
- Impact: Groundwater depletion rate to triple from 2041-2080 due to global warming.
Steps to Address the Water Crisis in India
- Interlinking of Rivers
- Strategy: Connect rivers for efficient water distribution.
- Aim: Transfer surplus water to deficient regions.
- Promote Water Conservation
- Initiative: Implement conservation at all levels.
- Methods: Rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation, and minimizing wastage.
- Invest in Infrastructure
- Priority: Allocate funds for development and maintenance.
- Methods: Explore public-private partnerships and innovative financing.
- Promote Sustainable Agriculture
- Encouragement: Support water-efficient farming practices.
- Implementation: Incentivize technology adoption for water savings.
- Address Pollution
- Enforcement: Regulate industrial discharge and sewage treatment.
- Solutions: Implement wastewater treatment and eco-friendly practices.
- Legislation and Governance
- Strengthening: Enforce water-related legislation.
- Mechanisms: Establish water management authorities.
- Community Participation
- Empowerment: Strengthen community rights in groundwater governance.
- Success: Participatory Groundwater Management has shown positive results.
- Adopt One Water Approach
- Recognition: Acknowledge the value of all water sources.
- Strategy: Implement Integrated Water Resources Management for ecological and economic benefits.
Conclusion
Through inclusive participation, robust policies, and a commitment to long-term sustainability, India can navigate towards a future where safe and reliable groundwater is accessible to every citizen.
| UPSC Previous Year Questions Prelims (2014) Q. What are the benefits of implementing the ‘Integrated Watershed Development Programme’? 1. Prevention of soil runoff 2. Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers 3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table 4. Regeneration of natural vegetation Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Ans: C Mains (2019)Q. What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India? |
Source: IT
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. FAQ: What factors have contributed to the water scarcity crisis in Bengaluru?
Answer: Several factors have contributed to Bengaluru’s water scarcity, including rapid urbanization, population growth, encroachment on water bodies, inefficient water management practices, and pollution of lakes and groundwater.
2. FAQ: How does Bengaluru’s water scarcity affect its residents and industries?
Answer: Bengaluru’s water scarcity impacts residents by leading to erratic water supply, higher costs for water, and reliance on unsustainable sources. Industries also face challenges due to water shortages, hindering growth and development.
3. FAQ: What measures can be taken to address Bengaluru’s water scarcity crisis?
Answer: Addressing Bengaluru’s water scarcity requires a multi-pronged approach, including investment in sustainable water management practices, rejuvenation of lakes and groundwater recharge, implementation of rainwater harvesting systems, and stricter enforcement of water conservation measures.
4. FAQ: How can citizens contribute to alleviating Bengaluru’s water scarcity?
Answer: Citizens can contribute by practicing water conservation in their daily lives, such as fixing leaks, using water-efficient appliances, and minimizing water wastage. Additionally, participating in community initiatives for lake rejuvenation and supporting policies for sustainable water management can make a significant difference.
5. FAQ: What role does government policy play in addressing Bengaluru’s water scarcity?
Answer: Government policies play a crucial role in addressing Bengaluru’s water scarcity by implementing regulations for water use, investing in infrastructure for water supply and treatment, promoting sustainable urban planning, and incentivizing water conservation practices. Effective governance and collaboration between stakeholders are essential for long-term solutions.
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