Syllabus: GS2/Governance; GS3/Water Conservation
Context
- The Central Water Commission (CWC), which monitors 166 reservoirs and 20 river basins across India, has flagged a sharp decline in water levels in its latest data.
About
- Water levels in India’s major reservoirs have fallen to below 40% of total capacity.
- Several reservoirs have reached critically low or zero levels. In Bihar, the Chandan dam has run completely dry.
- Most of India’s 20 river basins are now operating between 30% and 60% of capacity, with only a few above that range.
- Southern India has seen the steepest drop, raising concerns ahead of peak summer.
- 36 reservoirs in South India are below 40 percent, the highest in the country.
- Overall, the data suggests a widespread decline in water levels, with the risk of a summer water shortage rising, particularly in the south and west.
Water reservoirs
- Water reservoirs are natural or artificial storage spaces where water is collected and stored for future use.
- They include rivers, lakes, glaciers, groundwater aquifers, dam reservoirs, tanks, and canals.
- They play a crucial role in ensuring a steady supply of water for various purposes.
- Reasons for Decline in Capacity:
- Siltation (Sediment Deposition): Accumulation of silt and debris reduces storage capacity over time.
- Catchment Area Degradation: Deforestation, mining, and overgrazing increase soil erosion and sediment inflow.
- Encroachment & Urbanisation: Illegal occupation of reservoir areas and feeder channels reduces effective storage.
- Eutrophication & Aquatic Weeds: Nutrient pollution leads to excessive growth of algae and weeds, occupying space.
- Climate Variability: Erratic rainfall and droughts reduce inflow and accelerate sedimentation.
Water scarcity in India
- India has 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its freshwater.
- The World Bank calls India one of the most water-stressed countries.
- Many parts of India could face severe water scarcity by 2040 because of growing demand, poor management, and climate change.
- According to the Annual Ground Water Quality Report 2024 by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB), the average stage of groundwater extraction in India stands at 60.4%.
Major Causes of Water Scarcity
- Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have led to increased pollution of water bodies, making them unfit for consumption.
- Inefficient agricultural practices and excessive groundwater extraction have depleted crucial water sources.
- Climate change further aggravates the situation, causing irregular rainfall patterns and affecting the recharge of rivers and aquifers.
- Poor water management and lack of proper infrastructure also play a significant role in exacerbating the crisis.
Water Governance in India
- Constitutional Provisions
- State Subject: Water is primarily under Entry 17 of State List (Seventh Schedule).
- Union Role: Regulation of inter-state rivers under Entry 56 of Union List.
- Article 262: Parliament can adjudicate inter-state water disputes.
Key Issues in Water Governance in India
- Fragmented Institutional Framework: Water governance in India is highly fragmented due to its placement in the State List, which leads to jurisdictional conflicts between states.
- Predominance of Engineering-Centric Approach: Water management policies in India have historically focused on large-scale infrastructure such as dams, canals, and irrigation systems.
- This approach prioritises supply augmentation while neglecting ecological sustainability and demand management.
- Agricultural Policies: Agricultural policies promoting water-intensive crops such as rice and wheat have led to excessive groundwater extraction.
- Lack of Ecosystem-Based Approach: Water governance does not adequately incorporate the interlinkages between land, water, and ecosystems.
- Environmental flows (e-flows) are often ignored, leading to degradation of rivers and wetlands.
- Weak Data Systems: There is a lack of reliable, comprehensive, and accessible water data across the country.
- This leads to poor planning, inefficient allocation, and unregulated extraction of water resources.
- Neglect of Demand-Side Management: Water policies largely focus on increasing supply rather than managing demand.
- Limited attention is given to water-use efficiency, conservation practices, and rational pricing.
Government Initiatives
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan (2019): Focuses on water conservation and groundwater recharge in water-stressed districts.
- AMRUT 2.0 scheme was launched in the 2021 in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)/ cities, enabling the cities to become ‘self-reliant’ and ‘water secure’.
- Rejuvenation of water bodies and development of green spaces and parks are other components of the mission.
- Amrit Sarovar Mission: Aims to develop and rejuvenate 75 water bodies per district.
- National Aquifer Mapping Program (NAQUIM): Helps delineate and understand aquifers for sustainable management.
- Atal Bhujal Yojana, was launched to improve groundwater management in priority areas with critical and overexploited blocks.
- Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): To enable every rural household in the country to have assured potable water; since 2019, Government in partnership with states, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
- This initiative facilitates adequate quantities of prescribed quality water on a regular and long-term basis, through tap water connection.
Conclusion
- There is a need to move from a fragmented and engineering-dominated approach to a comprehensive governance framework.
- Water must be treated as a shared and finite resource, requiring coordinated management across sectors.
- The focus should shift from supply augmentation to sustainability, efficiency, and equity.
Source: DTE
