Delhi Water Crisis

Delhi Water Crisis

Part of: GS Prelims and GS -II – Inter-State Relations

In news Haryana releases 16,000 cusecs water for Delhi amidst the water shortage in the capital. 

• Delhi Jal Board (DJB) blamed the Haryana government for triggering a “severe water crisis” in the national capital, and exhorted the neighbouring state to adhere to orders by the Supreme court on water sharing.

What is the water Crisis in India?

• India constitutes 16% of the world’s population, but it has only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources. 
• With the changing weather patterns and recurring droughts, India is water stressed.
• According to the latest data from the Central Ground Water Board (2017), almost 256 of 700 districts have reported ‘critical’ or ‘over-exploited’ groundwater levels. 
• Water scarcity in India is expected to worsen as the overall population is expected to increase to 1.6 billion by year 2050.
• Causes: Traditional techniques of water irrigation, excess use of groundwater, Rapid urbanization, industrialization, population growth, demand for domestic use 
• Also, during the monsoon season the desilting operations of the water bodies, dams, etc. are not done at the time affecting the water storage capacity of India.

Solutions to mitigate water crisis

• Rain water harvesting
• Micro irrigation (MI) systems (sprinkler, drip) 
• Robust long-term planning and preparation for droughts and other contingencies.
• Agricultural universities should take a lead in advising farmers on suitable cropping patterns to save water.
• The practice of providing free or subsidised water and power to farmers must be stopped. Small and marginal farmers can be compensated for their loss by increasing the MSP for their produce.