water scarity
WATER SCARCITY AND SECURITY IN INDIA
Dr. Narayan G. Hegde nghegde@baif.org.in Global Water Crisis
Water is life because plants and animals cannot live without water. Water is needed to ensure food security, feed livestock, maintain organic life, take up industrial production and to conserve the biodiversity and environment. Hence, there is no life without water. Earth is the only plant, so far known to have water and this makes it fit for human living. However, with reckless abuse and increasing demand, due to growing population and unsustainable lifestyle, many countries are facing severe water crisis. In the absence of suitable corrective measures, many developing countries including India, will have to face crisis of food and water security in the near future.
Although, India is not a water poor country, due to growing human population, severe neglect and over-exploitation of this resource, water is becoming a scarce commodity. India is more vulnerable because of the growing population and in-disciplined lifestyle. This calls for immediate attention by the stakeholders to make sustainable use of the available water resources.
70% of the earth surface is covered with water, which amounts to 1400 million cubic kilometres (m km3). However, 97.5% of this water being sea water, it is salty. Fresh water availability is only 35 m km3 and only 40% of this can be used by human beings. Out of the total fresh water, 68.7% is frozen in ice caps, 30% is stored underground and only 0.3% water is available on the surface of the earth. Out of the surface water, 87% is stored in lakes, 11% in swamp and 2% in rivers (Anon. 2006).
Long before, when the population was low and lifestyle was simple, water was available in plenty and was considered as a free resource. However, with growing demand for water and depletion of the available water, assured supply of good quality water is becoming a growing concern. As the water resources are not
Dr. Narayan G. Hegde nghegde@baif.org.in Global Water Crisis
Water is life because plants and animals cannot live without water. Water is needed to ensure food security, feed livestock, maintain organic life, take up industrial production and to conserve the biodiversity and environment. Hence, there is no life without water. Earth is the only plant, so far known to have water and this makes it fit for human living. However, with reckless abuse and increasing demand, due to growing population and unsustainable lifestyle, many countries are facing severe water crisis. In the absence of suitable corrective measures, many developing countries including India, will have to face crisis of food and water security in the near future.
Although, India is not a water poor country, due to growing human population, severe neglect and over-exploitation of this resource, water is becoming a scarce commodity. India is more vulnerable because of the growing population and in-disciplined lifestyle. This calls for immediate attention by the stakeholders to make sustainable use of the available water resources.
70% of the earth surface is covered with water, which amounts to 1400 million cubic kilometres (m km3). However, 97.5% of this water being sea water, it is salty. Fresh water availability is only 35 m km3 and only 40% of this can be used by human beings. Out of the total fresh water, 68.7% is frozen in ice caps, 30% is stored underground and only 0.3% water is available on the surface of the earth. Out of the surface water, 87% is stored in lakes, 11% in swamp and 2% in rivers (Anon. 2006).
Long before, when the population was low and lifestyle was simple, water was available in plenty and was considered as a free resource. However, with growing demand for water and depletion of the available water, assured supply of good quality water is becoming a growing concern. As the water resources are not
References: 1. Amarasinghe, U. A., Shah, T., Turral, H. and Anand, B.K. 2007. India’s water future to 2025-2050: Business as usual scenario and deviations. Research Report 123, IWMI. 52pp. 2. Anonymous. 2006. Water – A shared responsibility, United Nations World Water Development Report, 2. 3. Govt. of India. 2009. Background note for consultation meeting with Policy makers on review of National Water Policy. Ministry of Water Resources. 50 pp. 4. IDSA. 2010. Water Security for India: External dynamics. IDSA Task Force Report. 5. Moni, M. 2004. Informatics blueprint for Integrated Water Resources Planning and Management at grassroots level: A Quintessential Requirement for Adaptation to Climate Change and Sustainable Agricultural Development in India. Paper presented the National Conference on “Climate Change and its Impact on Water Resources in India”, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, December 15-17. 53 pp. 6. Rosegrant, M.W., Cai, X. and Clire, S.A. 2002. Global water outlook to 2025: Averting an impending crisis. Food Policy Report, IWMI. 36 pp.