{"id":25132,"date":"2024-02-03T06:46:12","date_gmt":"2024-02-03T06:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/?p=25132"},"modified":"2024-02-03T06:46:26","modified_gmt":"2024-02-03T06:46:26","slug":"india-is-well-endowed-with-freshwater-resources-critically-examine-why-it-still-suffers-from-water-scarcity-12-5-marks-200-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/india-is-well-endowed-with-freshwater-resources-critically-examine-why-it-still-suffers-from-water-scarcity-12-5-marks-200-words\/","title":{"rendered":"India is well endowed with freshwater resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity. (12.5 marks, 200 words)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/refer-and-earn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Attempt-our-Daily-Weekly-Current-Affairs-Quiz-now-10-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Attempt-our-Daily-Weekly-Current-Affairs-Quiz-now-10-1.png 1280w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Attempt-our-Daily-Weekly-Current-Affairs-Quiz-now-10-1-1170x274.png 1170w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Attempt-our-Daily-Weekly-Current-Affairs-Quiz-now-10-1-585x137.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/refer-and-earn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Refer &amp; Earn NOW<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>India, a country blessed with abundant freshwater resources, finds itself grappling with a persistent issue of water scarcity. Despite possessing vast rivers, lakes, and groundwater reservoirs, the nation faces a complex interplay of factors that contribute to this paradoxical situation. Rapid population growth, urbanization, and industrialization have placed an immense strain on water resources, leading to over-extraction and depletion. Inefficient water management practices and outdated irrigation systems further exacerbate the problem, resulting in substantial wastage of this precious resource. Climate change adds another layer of complexity, causing erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather events that disrupt the traditional water cycle. Moreover, pollution of surface and groundwater sources further reduces the availability of clean water for both domestic and agricultural purposes. Inequitable distribution and access to water resources intensify the scarcity, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Policy challenges, institutional inefficiencies, and the lack of holistic water conservation strategies contribute to the persistence of water scarcity in India. Addressing this multifaceted issue demands a comprehensive and sustainable approach, involving better governance, modernized infrastructure, and community-driven water conservation initiatives to ensure the equitable distribution and efficient utilization of India&#8217;s abundant freshwater resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>Tag: <\/strong>Distribution of key natural resources across the world.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d3e9bf1034e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d3e9bf1034e\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/india-is-well-endowed-with-freshwater-resources-critically-examine-why-it-still-suffers-from-water-scarcity-12-5-marks-200-words\/#Decoding_the_Question\" title=\"Decoding the Question:&nbsp;&nbsp;\">Decoding the Question:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/india-is-well-endowed-with-freshwater-resources-critically-examine-why-it-still-suffers-from-water-scarcity-12-5-marks-200-words\/#Answer\" title=\"Answer:&nbsp;&nbsp;\">Answer:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/india-is-well-endowed-with-freshwater-resources-critically-examine-why-it-still-suffers-from-water-scarcity-12-5-marks-200-words\/#The_causes_of_water_scarcity_can_be_discussed_as\" title=\"The causes of water scarcity can be discussed as:\u00a0\">The causes of water scarcity can be discussed as:\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/india-is-well-endowed-with-freshwater-resources-critically-examine-why-it-still-suffers-from-water-scarcity-12-5-marks-200-words\/#Efforts_of_Government_and_private_sector\" title=\"Efforts of Government and private sector:&nbsp;\">Efforts of Government and private sector:&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/india-is-well-endowed-with-freshwater-resources-critically-examine-why-it-still-suffers-from-water-scarcity-12-5-marks-200-words\/#In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\" title=\"In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;\">In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/india-is-well-endowed-with-freshwater-resources-critically-examine-why-it-still-suffers-from-water-scarcity-12-5-marks-200-words\/#Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_here\" title=\"Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here\">Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Decoding_the_Question\"><\/span><strong>Decoding the Question:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>In the Introduction, begin your answer by defining water scarcity and include some data on freshwater resources and water scarcity.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>In Body,\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Explain why India is facing water scarcity despite having enough freshwater resources.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>State some initiatives taken by the Government.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Conclude your answer with some positive way out and SDG goals.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Answer\"><\/span><strong>Answer:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>India is not an inherently water-short country. Its average total annual rainfall which is higher than the world average of 990 mm should normally suffice to meet the country\u2019s critical needs. India has enough fresh water to meet its needs but the problem is the unequal distribution and sporadic nature of monsoon. According to Falkenmark, a Swedish expert, water stress occurs when water availability is between 1,000 and 1,600 cubic meters per person per year. India ranks 133 in the world in terms of water availability per person per annum. By 2025, it is predicted that large parts of India will join countries or regions having absolute water scarcity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-cse-gs-integrated-course?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Banner&amp;utm_campaign=GS+Integrated\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"300\" data-src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42401 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8.png 1280w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8-1170x274.png 1170w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8-585x137.png 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1280px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1280\/300;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_causes_of_water_scarcity_can_be_discussed_as\"><\/span>The causes<strong> of water scarcity can be discussed as:<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Regional disparity among various regions. Some parts of India have arid and semi-arid conditions.\u00a0<\/li><li>A significant number of non-perennial (seasonal) rivers which depend upon monsoon.\u00a0<\/li><li>Monsoon climatic conditions result in abundant rainfall in a short period of around three months and a lean period the rest of the time.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li>Spatial variance in the amount of precipitation received. Numerous local factors play a role in bringing downpours which results in some receiving abundant rainfall and the other being water-scarce.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li>The high population of India has led to an increased need for water. Moreover with increasing purchasing power demands\/needs have risen.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li>Low awareness and implementation of water reuse and recycling. Increased costs and less priority has led to fewer water recycling\/treatment plants.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li>Increased pollution of water resources due to industrial effluents, excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, etc. has decreased the net amount of fresh water available for usage. Perennial rivers such as Ganga have been heavily polluted. Such misuse and abuse of water bodies has resulted in polluted and contaminated lakes, ponds and wetlands.\u00a0<\/li><li>\u00a0Over-exploitation of groundwater coupled with inadequate aquifer recharge and lack of awareness about water harvesting programs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li>\u00a0Unsustainable water utilization such as excessive irrigation. Government policies such as free electricity and minimum support price (MSP) for water-intensive crops have nudged the farmers into choosing unsustainable irrigation techniques.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Efforts_of_Government_and_private_sector\"><\/span><strong>Efforts of Government and private sector:<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Over the past years, the government has worked on groundwater recharging projects, micro-irrigation, and legislative changes to promote better water management.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li>As many as 256 of 700 districts have reported \u2018critical\u2019 or \u2018over-exploited\u2019 groundwater levels, according to the latest data from the Central Ground Water Board (2017).\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li>Now the government is working on piped potable water to every rural household by 2024. In the past year, the Jal Jeevan Mission has served 20 million families with clean water.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li>New water purification technologies like smart water purifiers and auto-maintenance systems are paving the way to a better future.\u00a0<\/li><li>\u00a0The introduction of IoT technology, sensors, and data-driven approaches in water purification by Indian start-ups is showing the ray of hope to solve this problem.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As Confucius once said, <strong>\u201cThe man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones\u201d. <\/strong>Some small steps can create a way out. Our journey is to achieve goal six of the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals could just become easier if we remain engaged, influential, and productive to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-essay?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Banner&amp;utm_campaign=Essay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/UPSC-Essay-Course-1280\u00d7300-1-3.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42688 lazyload\" width=\"781\" height=\"182\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 781px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 781\/182;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\"><\/span><strong>In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For UPSC Prelims Resources,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc-cse-prelims-resource-centre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Daily Updates and Study Material:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join our Telegram Channel &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/WithEdukemy4IAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edukemy for IAS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>1. Learn through Videos &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3vOD8sU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3Q9z2nF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>3. Daily Newsletter &#8211; Get all your Current Affairs Covered &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3bE2y5J\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>4. Mains Answer Writing Practice &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3mZuVxl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_here\"><\/span>Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@ShabbirsEduKemyforIAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>India, a country blessed with abundant freshwater resources, finds itself grappling with a persistent issue of water scarcity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":25133,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1401],"tags":[1677,186,142,232,145,140],"class_list":["post-25132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-upsc-mains-solved-paper-gs-1","tag-freshwater-resources","tag-general-studies-1","tag-previous_year_questions","tag-upsc","tag-upsc-mains-question-paper","tag-upsc_preparation_strategy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25132"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25134,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25132\/revisions\/25134"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}