WATER CRISIS – An Analysis

‘Andhra Pradesh High Court, 2002: Drinking water is a fundamental right

under article 21’

The above judgement of the High Court once again highlights the importance of water
that has been considered the most valuable resource since civilization evolved. It was as
true then as it is now.

The above judgement also presents a very disturbing fact. Why did the Court have to
stress on such a basic aspect which is omnipresent in our daily lives? This points out to
the fact that we have shifted our priorities from utilization of water for our basic needs to
depletion of the resource for our selfish needs.

Why in news?

We all would be aware about the distress of thousands of our fellow citizens in many
parts of the country due to the massive drought that the country is facing. It got more
coverage due to the judgement of the High Court of Maharashtra:

‘No IPL in Maharashtra due to drought and shortage of water’

There can be a debate altogether on this ban, but without getting into much details, let us
touch upon the validity and the need for such a ban.

 Many argue that it is only a symbol, but then, symbolisms sometimes help in a
crisis situation like this.
 It is also a lot about psychology, wherein the agony of the affected and the
deprived increases seeing the pomp and show and the extravaganza being
showcased at such occasions, being both extremities happening in the same
region
 This ban has been used as a tool to raise awareness
 Commercial use of water comes at a lower priority than the use of water for
drinking
Reasons for the Crisis

Let us study some of the reasons that have led to this crisis situation:

1. Rainfall deficit
2. Policy failures for prioritizing of water resources
3. Mismanagement of water resources
4. Poor water management techniques
5. Increase in the per capita demand of water

Apart from the reasons cited above, it is also due to the failure on the part of governance
and policy making from decades and the apathy of the Indian state to the suffering of the
poor.

Let us take some examples to understand:

  In Bundelkhand, which is a drought prone area, crops like ‘Mentha’ are grown.
This crop is a water sucker
 Paddy is depleting water levels in the state of Punjab
 Sugarcane production in Maharashtra utilizes the maximum irrigation

Steps to be taken/ Probable solutions:

 Change in the cropping pattern

For example:
 Encouragement of production of Oilseeds instead of Sugarcane in
Maharashtra
 Conservation of ground water. It is interesting to know that India is sometimes
referred to as ‘Ground Water Civilization’.
For example:
 The method of ‘Rice intensification’ can reduce the water requirement
in Paddy cultivation which can reduce depletion of ground water in
Punjab
 Shift of energy consumption pattern from thermal power plants to renewable
energy resources
 There are different ministries dealing with different aspect of the same resource.
They all can be combined for sustainable development and better management
and conservation
 There is an urgent need to map our aquifers as they are at the root of water
conservation. Agricultural policy needs a re-think for putting ecology before
economics
 There needs to be a rational prioritization for the use of water
 Practices such as rainwater harvesting, watershed management, contour bunding
and agroforestry should be encouraged and the citizens should be educated of
these best practices in their best interests
 The government needs to invest in de-silting and upgrading water storage in
canals and minor water bodies
 According to Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga
Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti, supply and demand side management should
go hand in hand to address the depleting ground water levels in various parts of
the country

Apart from the above steps, it should also be ensured that the farmers affected
from this massive drought should be looked after in terms of alternative
employment. MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act) can play a major role in this regard. The Supreme Court of India
has also stated:

‘NREGA funds to be released in time for the drought hit states’

However, it should be noted here that declaring drought is the
responsibility of the state government, whereas release of funds is in
the hands of the Central government. Hence it is imperative that there be a
harmonious cooperation in action among both the governments.

Government Measures

1. National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP)

It aims to:
 Provide adequate water supply
 Encourage sustainable use of water
 Meet the basic quality standards
 Make water readily available at all times

2. Shikayat Nirvan Kendra

It is a good governance initiative in the form of a centralized web enabled

redressal system.

3. National Water Policy 2012

It aims at:
 Using scientific inputs from research for agricultural strategies for
management of soil, land, energy and water management
 Improving the soil and water productivity along with managing droughts

4. National Water Mission

It aims at:
 Conservation of water
 Equitable distribution of water
 5. India Water Week

 The 4th India Water Week was organised during the first week of April’16
to elicit ideas and opinions from global-level decision makers, politicians,
researchers and entrepreneurs in the field of water resources for mutual
benefit and goodwill

 Theme: ‘Water for all: Striving Together’

What the 12th Five Year Plan says

1. Moving from a single source to multiple sources such as ground

water, rainwater harvesting and groundwater
2. Sustainability in drinking water and avoiding slip back
3. Revival of traditional water bodies for water conservation
4. Proper water demand and budgeting
5. Convergence of all water conservation programmes at the village
level
6. Development of alternative sources for treating arsenic or fluoride
contamination than high cost treatment
7. For nitrate contamination:
 Treatment of catchment area through fencing
 Effective implementation of Total Sanitation Campaign
 Prevention of sewage seeping into underground water
sources
 Ecological sanitation by reducing use of inorganic water
sources
8. Salinity Problem:
 Solar desalination
 Dilution through rainwater harvesting
9. Jalmani guidelines: for implementation of standalone drinking
water purifications systems in rural schools

Water in Indian Constitution

 Article 246: Laws to be made by the Parliament and the states

 Article 262: Regarding disputes
 7th Schedule: Regulation and development of inter-state rivers

According to the Indian Meteorological Department

What is a Drought?
Drought is the consequence of a natural reduction in the amount of precipitation
over an extended period of time, usually a season or more in length, often
associated with other climatic factors (viz. high temperatures, high winds and low
relative humidity) that can aggravate the severity of the drought event.

Types of Drought

 Meteorological Drought: seasonal rainfall received over the area is less

than75% of its long term average value
 Hydrological Drought: period during which the stream flows are
inadequate to supply established use of water under a given water
management system
 Agricultural Drought: It occurs when available soil moisture is
inadequate for healthy crop growth and cause extreme stress and wilting
 Socio-Economic Drought: meteorological, hydrological and agricultural
drought often lead to what is termed as ‘Socio-economic drought’

How to approach for the Civil Services exam

General Studies 1:

a. Society

 Best Practices

- Mission Kakatiya (Telangana)– for restoration of irrigation tanks,

- Village Mawlynnong in Maghalaya termed as Asia’s cleanest village,

- Bio-toilets by DRDO

 Implication on Women especially lower income groups

 Implication on the lower income groups as a whole

b. Geography

 Water as a resource
 Drought, classification and declaration

General Studies 2:

Policies of the government

 General Studies 3:

 Agriculture
 Unemployment
 Integrated development
 Disaster Management
 Conservation of water for sustainable development

(Sources for reference: Rajya Sabha discussions, 12th Five Year Plan, PIB,
Government Ministries websites, India Water Week website)

Important Links

1. Rajya Sabha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDcUwP2Jfvk

2. Byjus Website:
http://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/no-more-droughts-in-india-says-imd
http://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/low-outgo-drought-relief-sc
http://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/comprehensive-news-analysis-27-april-2016#a