Intro (Micro Notes Format):
India receives ~4,000 BCM of annual freshwater (rainfall + snowmelt), yet faces ‘economic water scarcity’ due to poor management, overuse, and unequal distribution.
Reasons for Water Scarcity Despite Abundance:
- Spatial & Temporal Variability:
- 75% rainfall in 4 months → flooding then scarcity.
- Peninsular rivers non-perennial; Northern rivers over-exploited.
- Inefficient Irrigation:
- 80% water used in agriculture, dominated by flood irrigation.
- Cropping pattern mismatch → water-guzzling crops (e.g., paddy in Punjab, sugarcane in Maharashtra).
- Groundwater Over-extraction:
- India = world’s largest user of groundwater.
- 256 of 700+ districts under stress (CGWB, 2021).
- Urbanization & Pollution:
- Growing urban demand + untreated sewage pollutes rivers (e.g., Yamuna, Ganga).
- Industrial effluents reduce usable water.
- Lack of Infrastructure:
- Poor rainwater harvesting, storage, and interlinking systems.
- Dependence on monsoons; limited recycling of water.
- Climate Change:
- Altered rainfall patterns and frequent droughts reduce water availability.
Conclusion:
Water scarcity in India is not due to absolute shortage but due to mismanagement, overuse, and policy failures. A paradigm shift toward conservation, equitable distribution, and sustainable practices is vital.
