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Water conservation is critical for addressing India's water crisis. The challenges in this include overexploitation of groundwater, pollution, poor farming practices, and climate change. The impact ranges from health issues to economic losses, conflicts, and environmental risks. The Conservation methods are broadly divided into traditional, conventional, and modern approaches. Government initiatives like Jal Shakti Abhiyan, PMKSY and Jal Jeevan Mission aim at water security. The challenges in these initiatives include infrastructural gaps, lack of awareness, and financial constraints. Steps necessary to address these challenges include regular groundwater assessment, undertaking watershed management programmes, rainwater harvesting, and improving efficiency of agricultural practices among others.
Water stress occurs when annual water supply of an area goes below 1700 cubic metres per person while if the annual water supply of an area goes below 1000 cubic metres per person, it is termed as Water scarcity. If the annual water supply drops below 500 cubic metres, it is known as absolute water scarcity.
Agriculture practices that promote water conservation include,
Greywater recycling involves the reuse of wastewater from baths, showers, sinks, and washing machines for non-potable purposes like irrigation or flushing toilets. It helps reduce the demand on freshwater resources.
Water conservation is imperative for India's sustainable development. Fresh water is a limited resource, making water conservation an important factor for the environment. With population growth, expansion of industry, increasing levels of development activity, and the potential for climate change impacts there is increasing pressure placed on India’s water resources. The repercussions, from health issues to economic losses and conflicts, underscore the urgency of action. Monsoon variations and data on water scarcity emphasize the severity of the crisis.
India, with 18% of the world's population, has water resources sufficient for only 4% of its people. According to NITI Aayog's 2018 Composite Water Management Index (CWMI), the water crisis is projected to cost India a 6% loss in GDP by 2050, with 40% of Indians lacking access to drinking water by 2030. Agriculture, which consumes 85% of total water use, is the largest water consumer in India. India faces a severe water crisis due to overexploitation, pollution, and inefficient practices. This crisis has far-reaching consequences on health, food security, and socio-economic stability.Water conservation is vital to protect, preserve, and regulate the usage of water resources.
Below mentioned issues collectively contribute to a complex water crisis in India.
The PMKSY, overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to enhance irrigation coverage and minimize water wastage. It has been formulated by amalgamating the following schemes
The salient features are
Addressing India's water crisis requires immediate and concerted efforts. The multifaceted challenges, ranging from overexploitation to pollution and climate change, demand a comprehensive approach. Government initiatives like Jal Jeevan Mission are steps in the right direction, but challenges such as infrastructure gaps and legal complexities need to be tackled. The way forward involves a holistic strategy, including groundwater assessment, watershed management, rainwater harvesting, and efficient agricultural practices. Moreover, awareness campaigns, institutional reforms, and a nationwide commitment to water conservation are crucial. With the right policies, community involvement, and technological innovations, India can move towards sustainable water management, ensuring a secure and equitable water future for all.
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