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Indian Perspective of Conserving the Water Resource: The Next Global Agenda

Text by Shreyash Dwivedi


Photo: Udayan Borthakur


Background


From the beginning of life on earth to the present, water has been the foremost pillar of continuous existence and development of the living world. In the future, the importance of water is remarkable for the socio-economic sustainable development of human beings, energy and food production, the entire environment and the existence of human beings themselves. As the world population is witnessing the fastest growth, water can be seen as a very important subject in densely populated areas of the world. It is vital for reducing the global burden of disease and improving the health, welfare and productivity of populations and could be seen as the primary source for the universal development of human beings.


History testifies that resource shortage has been the subject of many wars fought in the world. It would not be an exaggeration to say that in future the next war between the countries is for water. Even today, water disputes are seen between many countries. India is facing this issue both at the national and international levels. Whoever is understanding the importance of water today, believes that by properly conserving this resource, proper access to it should be ensured for all. This goal of water conservation can be achieved through the prevention of its pollutants, efficiency and improvement in the use of technology, reuse, reduction in exploitation etc.


Fig.1: Global Water Distribution


Global status of water availability: Around 70% of the earth is covered by water. The world’s total water supply is about 332.5 million mi3 of water. More than 97 per cent of water available on earth is saline. In total freshwater, over 69 per cent is locked up in ice and glaciers and the other 30 per cent is in the ground, the remaining 1 per cent is surface and other fresh water. Most of the surface water used by humans comes from rivers, but rivers only constitute about 509 mi3 (2,120 km3), about 1/10,000th of one per cent of total water. (USGS, 2019)[1]


Status of water demand and availability in India


India hosts approximately 17 per cent of the world’s population, it holds only about 4 per cent of its required annual water resources. India annually receives 4000 billion cubic metres of precipitation and Central Water Commission states that our annual water need is around 3000 billion cubic metres.But we are able to hold only 8% of that water. (Tayal, 2022)[2] Population explosion and improved lifestyle are major causes of water stress in India. The scarcity is compounded further because of massive agricultural and industrial development coupled with improper and indiscriminately exploitation of groundwater resources.



According to the World Bank, India is the world’s most important user of groundwater; moreover, if trends persist, an estimated 114 million Indians will soon face desperate domestic, agricultural and industrial shortages, serious implications for long-term food security, livelihoods, and economic growth. Half of the country’s population does not have access to safe drinking water and around 2 lakhs people die every year due to this. Nearly 38 million Indians suffer from water-borne diseases while some 600,000 children under the age of five die due to deficient water supply and sanitation. (Daniel Rivière 2015).


“The earth, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. So, it is our responsibility to hand it over to the next generation at least as it was handed over to us.” - Mahatma Gandhi


According to a study by the Water Resource Group, water demand in India will double by 2030. About 4 crore Indians still have to travel about one kilometre for water daily. About 80% of our water requirement is related to agriculture, which is very important for the growing population of our country. According to the projected water demand by GOI, India faces a large gap between current supply and projected demand, amounting to more than double.


Source: Source: Basin Planning Directorate, CWC, XI Plan Document et.al.


There is a continuous increase in water demand in every sector and it is continuously increasing. Irrigation is going to dominate the water demand in future as well. Energy is another sector which is showing an increased future perspective. We are planning toward more green energy and defined the targets but thermal energy is going to play a vital role in future as well.


Principal annual components of India’s water balance

Component

Volume (BCM)

Percentage (%)

Precipitation

3838-4000

100

Stream Flow

1953

50.1-48.8

Ground Water

433

11.3-10.8

Available water

1953+433=2386

62-60

Utilisable water

1164

48.8

Current water use

634

54

Current water demand2

813

70

Evapo-transpiration

3838-(1953+433) =1452

37.8

​

4000-(1953+433) =1614

40.3

Source: 1. Jain & GoI cited in ADB (2009: 3)


Source: EnviStats-India 2018: Environmental Accounts


Surface and Ground Water Status


India receives 4000bcm. Rainfall (both precipitation and snowfall together) yearly, but not in a uniform way. Where Meghalaya receives 12000mm rainfall in Rajasthan it is just around 100mm. Due to the diversified geological formation of the Indian ground surface, the groundwater behaviour varies all over the subcontinent. Rainfall contributes 68% of its recharge annually the other sources are canal seepage, ponds, recharge from tanks etc. The total annual replenishable ground water status of India is 433bcm. In which 222bcm. We use it for irrigation purposes and 23bcm for domestic and industrial purposes annually. Punjab (172%), Rajasthan (137%), Delhi (137%) and Haryana (133%) are the states which consume more groundwater than their annual recharge.


According to the 2011 population per capita, water availability in India is 1567 cu. m. annually. According to the international standards per capita annual water availability between 1000-1700 is the stage of water stress. If we do a basin-wise comparison all the basin-like – Ganges, Yamuna and others which are having large populations are suffering from water scarcity in India.


“All people, whatever their stage of development and their social and economic condition, have the right to have access to drinking water in quantities and of a quality to their basic need.” - United Nations – 1977


Photo: Udayan Borthakur


Water Conservation Concept in India:


The significance of water conservation in India is not very new. Examples of strategies utilized in Lothal, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa of the Indus Valley are direct proof. Sringaverapura tank in modern-day Uttar Pradesh become constructed sometime in the 1st BC and is a shining instance of engineering during the early period of Indian civilisation. The rainwater conservation system of Mandu is an outstanding example that we are able to see in characteristics within the modern-day additionally. Which changed into built somewhere around 1400 yrs. With the change of time in India, the trade of energy and spiritual sovereignty additionally brought adjustments in social sports and methods of water conservation strategies. Water conservation with the aid of Baoli in Delhi was a method commenced within the medieval period. However presently it has disappeared, however, alternatively, the Gull approach utilized in Uttarakhand continues to be usually there.


Water Conservation and Control Practices to Make Sure Water Safety


The method of saving water for future usage is called conservation of water. It will be the figuring out element if India becomes wealthy or remains terrible. But the control of water isn't simply about building more dams or laying pipelines to take the water to our towns after which pipelines flush the waste from our homes. The control of water is about constructing the relationship of society with its water in order that we will understand the cost of each raindrop and remember that except we are prudent, indeed frugal, with our use of this valuable resource, there will by no means be sufficient water for all. Agriculture, domestic and business are the primary sectors of water use by using human beings.


Few Major Steps were Taken by Government for Water Conservation:

  • The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (2008 onwards) has adopted a three-tier approach—the upper topography, which is largely hilly and forested, is treated with the support of the forest department. For slopes, which form part of the intermediate topography IWMP would address all issues concerning land treatment by implementing the best possible options, including cropping patterns, horticulture and agroforestry. In the lower tier, consisting of plains and agricultural lands, the IWMP would be integrated with employment-generating programmes such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA) (DoLR).

  • Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), a time-bound campaign with a mission-style approach, was launched by the Indian government in 2019 with the goal of improving groundwater conditions in the water-stressed blocks of 256 districts in India.

  • The Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, developed the National Water Policy (2012), which among other things promotes rainwater collection, and water conservation, and emphasizes the need to increase water availability through the direct use of rainfall. It also promotes, among other things, that river, river body, and infrastructure preservation should be carried out in a planned, scientific way with community involvement.

  • Department of Water Resources, RD& GR has an award scheme for incentivising good practices in water conservation and groundwater recharge.

  • In order to ensure the profitable use of funds, the Ministry of Rural Development has developed an actionable framework for Natural Resources Management (NRM), titled "Mission Water Conservation," in collaboration and agreement with the Department of Water Resources, RD & GR and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare.

These are a few examples and there are a lot more actions going on central and state levels by the government of India.


Some Major Points for Water Management and Conservation are Listed Below:

  • Efficient water distribution network

  • Equity and demand-based management

  • Participatory Water Management with the indigenous knowledge system and techniques.

  • Correction of cropping pattern with modern irrigation efficient technologies.

  • Ensuring equal and realistic water rates for every citizen of the country.

  • Proper and functional wastewater and sewage water treatment plants in all urban areas.

  • Recycle and reuse wastewater from the wastewater of all different sectors.

  • Aware every person to use water efficiently and share it fairly.

  • Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater.

  • Extension, Renovation and Modernisation of old schemes.


Role of Indigenous knowledge for Water Conservation


If we effectively integrate, indigenous knowledge would work as a potentially transformative tool for water conservation not only as a matter of redress but also to enrich the current water system. “Indigenous knowledge is considered to be a body of knowledge existing within or acquired by locals over a period of time through the accumulation of experiences, society, nature relationship, community practices and institutions by passing it down to other generations.” (Mercer et al, 2010) .


How can indigenous knowledge be useful for conservation practices?

  • The guardian of this indigenous knowledge should share it with the younger generation so it could become socially distributed knowledge.

  • Awareness programmes for the local community are also mandatory so they can actively participate in the development process from the bottom line.

  • Creation of hybrid knowledge by the mix of rural traditional knowledge and govt. new technological innovation should be promoted together.


Few Traditional Water Conservation Techniques in India: