ISSUE 01 | JANUARY 2020
BC FORUM
Main causes of Water Scarcity in India
As per World Bank data, India accounts for 25% of
global demand for groundwater. More than 90% of
groundwater in India is used for irrigated agriculture.
The remaining 24 billion m³ supplies 85% of the
country's drinking water. Approximately 80% of
India's 1.35 billion population depends on
groundwater for both drinking and irrigation.
Effects of Water Scarcity in India
Social and Political Effects of Water Scarcity in
India
Effects of Water Scarcity on Food Security
74% of the area under wheat cultivation and 63%
of the area under rice cultivation faces extreme
levels of water scarcity.
Expected demand-supply gap of up to 570 billion
m³ by 2030 in agriculture sector.
Virtual water export adds to the problem, export of
approximately 37 lakh tonnes of Basmati rice alone
cost India 10 Trillion litres of water in 2014-2015.
Economic Risks of Water Scarcity in India
Effects of Water Scarcity on sustainable industrial
activity
Industries expected to draw 3 times water
compared to their actual consumption by 2030.
Shutdowns possible as states prioritize irrigation
and household needs, and fail to provide water to
industries.
Water intensive industries such as Food &
Beverages, Textiles, Paper & Paper products are
likely to be worst affected.
Environmental Risks of Water Scarcity in
India
Effects of Water Scarcity on Biodiversity of India
Human intervention impacts 35 species on average
in biodiversity hotspots in India.
The western Ghats, the Himalayas and North East
are among hotspots with threatened species
category.
Dam construction on the Kali river contributed to
the Western Ghats decline in forest cover of 30%
points in approximately 40 years
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Measures for Preventing Water Scarcity in
India by Central Govenment
Ministry of Jal Shakti
The Government of India established the Ministry of
Jal Shakti to consolidate interrelated functions
pertaining to water management. The Ministry
launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan - a campaign for water
conservation and water security.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan Campaign
Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched in 1592 water-stressed
blocks in 256 districts.
The major focus areas of Jal Shakti Abhiyan is
Water conservation and rainwater harvesting.
Renovation of traditional and other water bodies /
tanks.
Borewell recharge structures.
Watershed development.
Intensive afforestation.
Block and District water conservation plans.
Promotion of efficient water use for irrigation.
Better choice of crops for Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
Jal Abhiyan is a time-bound, mission-mode water
conservation campaign. Hence to make sure that
efforts are going in the right direction, The National
Institute for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog has
developed a comprehensive water management
metrics named Composite Water Management Index
(CWMI). The Government of India has announced an
ambitious target of providing piped clean drinking
water to all village by 2024.
Adoption of Composite Water Management
Index (CWMI)
The National Institute for Transforming India (NITI)
Aayog has developed the Composite Water
Management Index (CWMI) to enable effective water
management in Indian states. The first edition was
published in 2018 and became a very well-received
publication inside and outside the country.
Mandate of CWMI
Established a benchmark for state-level
performance on key water indicators.
Identify the high performing states and low
performing states thereby inculcating a culture of
constructive competition among states.
Identify areas for deeper engagement and
investment on the part of the states.