Water stress refers to a situation where the water demand exceeds the available water resources in a particular region, leading to a scarcity of water. In the context of India, water stress is a critical issue with significant regional variations. The factors contributing to these differences are multifaceted and include geographical, climatic, and anthropogenic elements.
Geographically, India is diverse, with the presence of arid, semi-arid, and humid regions. The distribution of rainfall is uneven, with some areas receiving excessive rainfall during monsoons, while others face prolonged dry spells. This geographical diversity plays a crucial role in the regional disparities in water availability. For instance, states like Rajasthan and Gujarat experience high water stress due to their arid climate and limited water sources, while states in the northeastern region may have abundant water resources.
Climate change further exacerbates water stress by altering precipitation patterns and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. In some regions, changing rainfall patterns lead to unpredictable water availability, affecting agriculture, which is a major water-consuming sector in India. Additionally, anthropogenic factors such as over-extraction of groundwater, inefficient water management practices, and pollution contribute to water stress in various parts of the country.
Furthermore, rapid urbanization and industrialization have increased the water demand, putting additional pressure on already scarce water resources. The interplay of these factors results in a complex mosaic of water stress across India, highlighting the need for region-specific water management strategies to ensure sustainable water usage and availability for all.
Tag: Distribution of Key Natural Resources.
Decoding the Question:
- In the Introduction, try to briefly write about the water stress condition.
- In Body,
- Write how water stress conditions regionally differ in India.
- In Conclusion, try to mention the overall reasons for water stress conditions and conservation efforts.
Answer:
Water stress or water scarcity is a situation where the demand for usable water during a certain period is high as to its availability. The situation of water stress occurs when the freshwater deteriorates in terms of quality and quantity. According to the Water Risk Atlas released by the World Resources Institute (WRI), India is at 13th place among 17 countries in terms of water scarcity.
Water stress in India:
- India is home to nearly 17% of the world’s population but has only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources.
- According to NITI Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) report 2018, 21 major cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad are racing to reach zero groundwater levels by 2020, affecting access for 100 million people. Besides, 12% of India’s population is already living in the ‘Day Zero’ scenario.
- According to the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas of the World Resources Institute, India is ranked 13th among the 17 most water-stressed countries in the world.
Water Stress Differ Regionally in India:
Geographical Diversity:
- Himalayan Region: The northern states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh receive abundant water resources due to the presence of the Himalayan rivers. Uttarakhand’s total annual precipitation is around 1,701 mm, while Himachal Pradesh receives an average of 1,463 mm of rainfall annually.
- Coastal Regions: Kerala receives an average annual rainfall of around 3,107 mm, Karnataka receives 1,183 mm, and Maharashtra’s coastal areas receive 1,725 mm of rainfall, making them less water-stressed.
- Arid and Semi-Arid Regions: Rajasthan, one of the most arid states in India, receives an average annual rainfall of only 394 mm, and parts of Gujarat receive about 881 mm of rainfall, leading to higher water stress in these regions.
Monsoon Patterns:
- Northeastern States: States like Meghalaya, known for its heavy rainfall, receive an average annual rainfall of 2,961 mm.
- Central Indian States: Madhya Pradesh receives an average annual rainfall of around 1,035 mm, while Chhattisgarh receives approximately 1,267 mm of rainfall annually. These states may experience variable monsoons leading to water stress.
- Peninsular States: Andhra Pradesh receives an average annual rainfall of about 955 mm, Telangana receives 918 mm, and Tamil Nadu receives around 945 mm of rainfall annually. These states may face water stress due to relatively lower monsoon rainfall.
Groundwater Depletion:
- Punjab: The state has witnessed a significant decline in groundwater levels, with an average annual decline of about 0.33 meters between 2010 and 2020.
- Haryana: The state’s groundwater levels have been declining at an average annual rate of about 0.31 meters between 2010 and 2020.
- Western India: The groundwater depletion rate in parts of western India, like Gujarat, has been estimated to be around 0.40 meters per year.
- In urban areas like Chennai and Bengaluru, over-extraction of groundwater for domestic and industrial purposes has led to declining water levels, exacerbating water stress.
Population Density:
- The highly populated regions of northern India, including the Indo-Gangetic plains, experience significant pressure on water resources due to dense populations.
- Urban centers like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, with large populations, face challenges in meeting the water demands of their residents, leading to water stress.
Urbanization and Industrialization:
- Hyderabad: Rapid urbanization and industrial growth in Hyderabad have led to an increase in water demand, resulting in water stress.
- Ahmedabad: Urbanisation and industrialization in Ahmedabad have put pressure on water resources, contributing to water stress in the region.
Climate Change:
- Climate change has led to altered precipitation patterns, affecting water availability across regions. Western Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat have experienced altered precipitation patterns due to climate change. The average monsoon rainfall in these regions has declined by approximately 20% compared to historical averages
- Rising temperatures can increase water demand for irrigation and domestic purposes, putting further pressure on already stressed water resources. With higher temperatures, evaporation rates have increased, resulting in greater water loss from reservoirs and water bodies.
Water Management Policies:
- Effectiveness of Policies: The effectiveness of water management policies and practices varies across states. Some states have implemented successful water conservation and management measures, while others may face challenges in managing water stress.
- Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are two states in India that have implemented different water management policies to address water stress.
Water Infrastructure:
- Bhakra-Nangal Dam: The Bhakra-Nangal Dam in northern India has significantly contributed to water storage and distribution in the region, mitigating water stress to some extent.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Regions with inadequate water infrastructure may face more pronounced water stress during dry periods.
Regional Difference in the Condition of Water Scarcity:
Southern States:
- Many southern States are under a rain shadow region and the impermeable nature of the Deccan plateau limits its groundwater retention. There have also been conflicts among various states regarding the usage of river water for several years. The salinization of groundwater due to seepage of ocean water in coastal areas.
- Water in almost 83% of open wells in Kerala was unclean and most of its rivers too were highly contaminated because of high human intervention.
- Because of agriculture demand, industrial usage, and catering to the high population density due to urbanization, exploitation of groundwater severely impacted its levels and quality in Maharashtra, Karnataka, etc.
Western & Northern States:
- States like Rajasthan, Delhi, etc. face scarcity of rainfall due to the rain shadow region.
- The exploitation of groundwater for agricultural activities due to the Green Revolution in regions like Punjab, and Haryana, and the Use of unsustainable agriculture practices like growing rice in water-stressed States are also creating water stress conditions.
- The uranium concentration is an evolving phenomenon in Rajasthan, Gujarat, etc., which crossed the WHO permissible limit of uranium levels in groundwater.
- Arsenic contamination in the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins and States like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, etc. is resulting in cancer and eventually death of people.
- High population density and poor water management practices are also leading causes of water scarcity.
Eastern States:
- 17 major rivers of West Bengal are unfit for bathing because of the levels of coliform bacteria found mainly in human feces which are much higher than the permissible limit.
- The mining activities, lack of water conservation strategies, pollution, etc. in the northeastern states are responsible for water stress conditions.
The Himalayas:
- The Himalayan state gets an abundance of freshwater from the numerous rivers originating in the mountains.
- It is the main source of water for the Himalayan state. However, it seems that unless a long-term and mountain-specific strategy is devised, millions of people will face chronic water shortages in this region.
- This is all going to happen because of a sharp rise in urbanization and pollution.
Conclusion:
- Hence, The water scarcity conditions in India are an outcome of anthropological activities, climate conditions, administrative issues, etc. The government steps like the Atal Bhujal Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, etc., are in the right direction for achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6- clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
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