Water Conservation

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 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.

• Groundwater:
  • Over-exploitation of groundwater, with 14% of blocks categorized as 'Over-exploited,' according to the CGWB's 2022 assessment. (CGWB=Central Ground Water Board )
  • Contamination issues like uranium, arsenic , iron etc in groundwater is rampant
• Pollution:
  • Pollution affects both rivers and groundwater due to the untreated discharge of effluents and sewage.
  • A NITI Aayog report indicates that 70% of India's water is contaminated.
• Poor Farming Practices: Concerns arise from the cultivation of water-intensive crops like rice, wheat, and sugarcane in regions with water scarcity.
• Increasing Stress on Water Supply: Growing stress on water supply due to population growth, urbanization, and industrialization.
• Water Wastage: Substantial water wastage attributed to pollution, outdated supply lines, irrational water use, and water-intensive agricultural practices.
• Climate Change Impact: Exacerbation of the water situation due to the impacts of climate change, including more extreme rates of precipitation and evapotranspiration.
• Ineffectiveness of flood management strategies in addressing the growing frequency and intensity of floods.

• Geographical Variation > India's dry regions like Rajasthan and semi-arid areas like Maharashtra face more water stress due to less rainfall. In contrast, northeastern states with more rain have lower water stress.
• Population Density: Areas with high population density, such as urban centers and densely populated states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, face greater pressure on water resources.
• Industrialization and Agriculture:States with extensive agricultural activities, such as Punjab and Haryana, face water stress due to excessive groundwater extraction and inefficient irrigation practices
• Water Management Practices: states like Assam and Meghalaya experience heavy rainfall but lack adequate storage and distribution infrastructure.

• Health Impact: Lack of access to safe drinking water can lead to health issues like dehydration, infections, diseases, and fatalities..
• Food Security: Water scarcity can result in reduced crop yields, impacting food security and contributing to increased poverty among farmers.
• Social Unrest and Political Instability: Potential rise in conflicts, social unrest, and political instability, often referred to as 'Water Wars’ between states.
• Urban Water Shortages: Anticipation of severe water shortages in urban hubs in the future.
• Economic Consequences: Water shortages can disrupt industrial operations and other economic activities, causing economic losses.
• Environmental Risks: Human activities aimed at creating additional water sources pose a serious threat to India's rich biodiversity.
• Desertification: Water erosion, accounting for about 11% of total desertification, is a significant factor contributing to desertification.
• International Conflicts: Possibility of increased international conflicts, exemplified by disputes like the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan.
• Inter-State Conflicts: Examples of inter-state conflicts include the Punjab-Haryana dispute on the Satluj River, the Cauvery Water Dispute, and others.

• Traditional Practices: Community Ownership is still prevalent in Spiti and Arunachal, Traditional Tanks such as Baoli, Tanka, stepwells, Khadins in Rajasthan, Eri system of tamilnadu, Rani ki Vav in Gujarat, Bamboo drip irrigation, Kul system of Himachal Pradesh, etc.
• Conventional Methods: check dams, well recharge, contour ploughing, percolation pits , watershed management , canal and flood irrigation.
  • Watershed management: Management of land surface and vegetation for an effective conservation of soil and water resources. It involves storing and replenishing groundwater using methods such as percolation tanks, recharge wells, and artificial ponds. It helps reduce surface runoff of rainwater and increases recharge of groundwater. Under the Neeranchal National Watershed Project , the emphasis was on creating watershed assets for the Integrated Watershed Development Programme. It also recognised the importance of local participation for the success of the project.
• Modern Methods such as: Micro-irrigation practices, drip irrigation, Smart irrigation using sensors, desalination plants, greywater management, artificial aquifer recharge, remote sensing tech aided conservation and One Water Approach.
  • The conventional irrigation water use, such as through canal and flood irrigation, has efficiency varying for 55 to 66 percent while the improved micro irrigation systems have efficiency above 90 percent
  • Micro-irrigation: Water is delivered through drippers, sprinklers, foggers, either on the surface or subsurface of the land. Through Per Drop More Crop , the Government is extensively promoting micro-irrigation devices. Micro-irrigation enhances water use efficiency and reduces evaporation losses but faces challenges due to its high cost and the need for frequent maintenance, resulting in unsatisfactory adoption rates in the country

1. Jal Shakti Abhiyan for water conservation and water security in identified water stressed blocks.
2. National Water Mission was launched with an aim to improve water efficiency by 20%
3. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)- Explained Below separately
4. Atal Bhujal Yojana, a World Bank aided project , was launched for groundwater management in selected states.
5. Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) by Niti Aayog was developed to enable effective water management in Indian States
6. National Water Policy, 2012 > Explained Below separately
7. Jal Jeevan Mission: envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India.
8. Census: In 2023, the Ministry of Jal Shakti unveiled the findings of India's First water bodies census, offering a comprehensive database encompassing ponds, tanks, lakes, and reservoirs nationwide. Conducted during 2018-19, the census meticulously documented over 2.4 million water bodies across all states and Union Territories.
9. The One Water approach is a holistic method that combines planning and implementation to effectively manage limited water resources for long-term sustainability and dependability.
   • It recognizes the intrinsic value of all water sources and concentrates on addressing wastewater, stormwater, drainage water, the impact of land use changes on the water cycle, and groundwater management to ensure comprehensive water resource sustainability.

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

• Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme: It mandates Jal Shakti Ministry to expedite ongoing national irrigation projects.
• Integrated Watershed Management Programme: It focuses on setting up water harvesting structures like check dams, Nala bunds, farm ponds, and tanks, and promotes traditional water storage systems such as Jal Mandir (Gujarat) and Zabo (Nagaland).
• Har Khet ko Pani: The focus is to ensure water access for every farm.
• Per drop more crop: Enhancing water efficiency through micro-irrigation devices like drips and sprinklers etc

The salient features are

• Economic good: Water , after meeting pre-emptive needs for drinking water and sanitation , achieving foof security etc , be treated as economic good to promote its conservation
• Comprehensive legislation: Emphasis on the need for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys.
• Ecological needs of the river> A portion of river flows should be kept aside to meet ecological needs of the river
• Adaptation strategies in view of climate change for designing and management of water resources.
• Water Users Associations should be given statutory powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges
• Setting up of the Water Regulatory Authority and Incentivization of recycle and reuse has been recommended.
• Adequate grants to the States to update technology, design practices, planning and management practices

• Lack of Infrastructure: Inadequate water storage and distribution infrastructure in rural areas hinder effective water conservation. Insufficient storage facilities, leaky pipelines, and inefficient water distribution systems contribute to wastage.
• Legal and Institutional Challenges: Inconsistent and overlapping water laws, inadequate enforcement, and issues related to water governance and institutional capacity can impede effective water management and conservation.
• Lack of Community Involvement: Successful water conservation often requires active participation and ownership from local communities. Lack of awareness, education, and community engagement hinder the success of government initiatives.
• Financial Constraints: Adequate funding is essential for the success of water conservation programs. However, budgetary constraints and competing demands for resources limit the financial allocation to such initiatives.

• Improving Agriculture Practices:
  • Adoption of water-efficient techniques like sprinklers and drip irrigation to increase water usage efficiency.
  • Cultivation of drought-resistant crops such as sorghum, millets, and chickpeas to reduce the demand for irrigation water.
  • Introducing night irrigation practice to minimize evaporation loss.
  • Precision farming with sensors and other scientific tools to provide just the right amount of water to the plant.
  • Mulching > It involves layering organic materials like straw, shredded bark, or wood chips, as well as inorganic materials like plastic sheets or gravel, onto the soil to reduce water evaporation.
• Groundwater:
  • Regular assessment of groundwater resources every two years.
  • Formulation of a comprehensive national policy on groundwater extraction for long-term sustainability.
• Watershed Management: Encouragement of participatory watershed management based on successful models like Ralegaon Siddhi, led by Anna Hazare.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Promotion of rainwater harvesting to enhance water availability during droughts, support groundwater recharge, and prevent depletion.
• River Linking: Exploration of river linking options in specific situations following thorough feasibility studies.
• Recycling and Reusing Water: Promotion of reclaimed wastewater use for industrial processes and urban activities like gardening.
• Controlling Water Pollution: Implementation of measures such as proper waste management, industrial sewage and effluent treatment, water weed control, and judicious use of pesticides and fertilizers.
• NITI Aayog Recommendations:
  • A nationwide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign needs to be launched making farmers aware of the benefits of adopting Micro-Irrigation System
  • Improving Water Governance by
    • Establishment of an independent regulator on scientific lines for better governance.
    • Enactment of a River Basin Management Act.
    • Enactment of the National Water Framework Act in line with the National Water Policy, 2012.

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.