Water Conservation In India

• India is home to nearly 18% of the global population.
• However, India has access to only about 4% of the world’s freshwater resources.
• This includes water from rivers, lakes, groundwater, and rainfall that is usable for consumption, agriculture, and industries.
• This large gap between population and freshwater availability creates a major imbalance.
• The demand for water far exceeds its supply, particularly in densely populated and agriculturally intensive regions.
• As a result, India is under severe water stress.
• Many parts of the country face water scarcity, especially during summers or drought years.
• Rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth are putting further strain on these limited water resources.
• With more people moving to cities and industrial output increasing, water consumption is rising, while natural sources are depleting.

Groundwater Usage Status (According to the 2024 Report)

• Report Overview: The 2024 Dynamic Groundwater Resource Assessment Report was released by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, assessing groundwater resources across India.
• Recharge Trends: The total annual groundwater recharge has decreased marginally in 2024.
• Critical and Over-exploited Units:
  • 3.05% of assessment units are categorized as Critical, indicating rapid depletion of groundwater.
  • 11.1% of units are Over-exploited, meaning extraction exceeds recharge.
• Regional Concentration: Over-exploitation is primarily observed in regions like Northwest (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Western UP), West (Rajasthan, Gujarat), and South (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh).

Water Accessibility and Urban Water Use

• Urban Access: In urban areas, 31% of households lack piped water connections.
• Sewage Systems: Additionally, 67% of households are not connected to a piped sewage system, leading to challenges in sanitation and water quality.
• Health Implications: This lack of infrastructure contributes to waterborne diseases and complicates water reuse efforts.

Water Use in Agriculture

• Major Consumer: Agriculture is the largest consumer of water in India, utilizing 78% of the total water resources.
• Irrigation Practices: Traditional flood irrigation methods are water-intensive, necessitating a shift towards micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation to enhance water use efficiency.

Traditional Water Storage Systems in India

• India has a rich heritage of traditional water conservation methods.
• These systems were developed centuries ago and are still relevant for sustainable water management today.
• Jal Mandir in Gujarat is a temple structure built around a water source.
  • It serves both religious and water conservation purposes.
• Kuhl in Himachal Pradesh are small irrigation canals.
  • They divert water from glaciers or streams to agricultural fields on hilly terrain.
• Zabo in Nagaland is a system that combines water harvesting with forest and farming management.
  • It is practiced mostly in the hilly regions to preserve rainwater and reduce erosion.
• Eri and Ooranis in Tamil Nadu are traditional tank systems.
  • They store rainwater for irrigation, recharge groundwater, and support biodiversity.
• Dongs in Assam are flood water harvesting systems used in low-lying areas.
  • These help manage excess water during monsoons.
• Katas and Bandhas in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh are traditional ponds and embankments.
  • They are used for irrigation and drinking water storage.
• Paar and Johad in Rajasthan are small earthen check dams.
  • They help collect rainwater and recharge groundwater in arid regions.
• Pat in Madhya Pradesh is a small channel system built to divert water from streams to fields.
  • It is community-managed and supports local agriculture.
• These systems are integral to local water management and conservation practices.
  • They reflect the deep ecological wisdom of communities adapted to regional climates and geographies.

Central Government Initiatives for Water Conservation

• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): Aiming to provide piped potable water to every rural household by 2024.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY):
• Har Khet Ko Pani: Ensuring irrigation facilities for every farm.
• Per Drop More Crop: Promoting micro-irrigation systems.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana: Focused on sustainable groundwater management with community participation.
• Catch the Rain Campaign: Encourages rainwater harvesting and conservation practices.
• National Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Water (2022): Guidelines for the safe reuse of treated wastewater.
• Power Tariff Policy (2016): Mandates thermal power plants to use treated sewage water from Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) within a 50 km radius for non-potable purposes.
• National Water Policy (2012): Emphasizes the recycling and reuse of water and the implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) guidelines.

State Government Initiatives for Water Conservation

• Neeru-Chettu (Andhra Pradesh): Revitalizing and rejuvenating natural resources.
• Jal Jeevan Hariyali (Bihar): Identification, restoration, and renovation of all public water storage structures.
• Jal Hi Jeevan Hai (Haryana): Encouraging crop diversification and promoting cultivation of less water-intensive crops like maize and arhar.
• Mission Kakatiya (Telangana): Reclamation of water tanks by restoring minor irrigation sources.