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Mainstream, VOL 62 No 20, May 18, 2024

India’s Water Woes: Governance to Sustainability — With Reference to Maharashtra | S N Tripathy

Friday 17 May 2024, by S N Tripathy

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Global freshwater reserves are dwindling at an alarming rate, posing imminent threats to densely populated regions worldwide. Both low- to middle-income developing nations and highly developed countries are exalted to confront water stress unless proactive measures are taken to manage existing reserves effectively. Developing countries, although exhibiting low per capita water consumption, face water scarcity due to rapid population growth and inefficient water usage across sectors. Conversely, developed nations, characterized by historically high per capita water consumption, must prioritize reducing their usage through enhanced water management practices.

By 2025, countries like India, China, and select regions in Europe and Africa will need substantial and sustainable water management interventions to avoid severe water scarcity. India, once blessed with abundant freshwater resources, now grapples with water scarcity in certain pockets due to burgeoning population growth and overexploitation of surface and groundwater reserves over the past decades. The country’s economic expansion has catalyzed increased water usage across various sectors, accompanied by a surge in wastewater generation, further polluting existing freshwater sources.

Urbanization exacerbates the situation, driving heightened per capita water consumption in cities and altering consumption patterns towards water-intensive agricultural and industrial products. While India acknowledges the imperative of managing water resources, existing initiatives still need to be completed and sufficient for a nation of its vast expanse. Establishing an independent central regulatory agency dedicated to designing, controlling, and coordinating national water conservation programs could provide much-needed cohesion and direction.

In the domestic sphere, mandates for rainwater harvesting in new construction projects and community-based educational initiatives promoting efficient water usage are imperative. Prioritizing large-scale projects like the National River Link Project, which aims to interlink major rivers and alleviate regional water disparities, is pivotal.] Further, resolving shifts in food consumption patterns towards water-intensive agricultural products and the looming threat of groundwater depletion necessitates multifaceted approaches encompassing regulatory reforms, technological innovations, and community engagement. Only through concerted, coordinated efforts can India navigate the complex challenges of water scarcity and ensure sustainable water management for future generations.

The National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) provides crucial insights into the status of domestic water supply and governance in India. The survey, covering over 5,72,000 sample households across various states and union territories, sheds light on access to improved drinking water sources, sanitation facilities, and using clean fuels for cooking.

Access to improved drinking water sources is a crucial indicator of public health and well-being. NFHS-4 reveals that rural regions face significant disparities across states while access to such sources is relatively high in urban areas. In Meghalaya and Madhya Pradesh, urban-rural differentials are particularly pronounced, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to bridge this gap. Despite improvements since NFHS-3, states like Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana need better access to improved drinking water sources, indicating persistent challenges in water infrastructure development.

Similarly, access to improved sanitation facilities remains a concern, with significant variations observed among states and urban-rural divides. While states like Sikkim and Haryana exhibit relatively high access rates, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh must catch up. Urban areas generally enjoy better access than rural counterparts, exacerbating state disparities. However, noteworthy improvements have been observed since NFHS-3 in states like Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Bihar, underscoring the impact of targeted interventions and policy initiatives.

Furthermore, the survey highlights the prevalence of indoor pollution and associated health risks due to using unclean fuels for cooking. Clean fuels, including electricity, LPG/natural gas, and biogas, are essential for mitigating indoor pollution and improving household health outcomes. NFHS-4 reveals wide variations in the usage of clean fuels across states, with Bihar exhibiting the lowest usage rate and Puducherry and Goa leading the way. Notably, urban areas report higher usage rates than rural regions, indicating disparities in access and affordability. Despite the low usage rates, several states have witnessed significant improvements since NFHS-3, highlighting the efficacy of policy interventions and awareness campaigns.

The findings of NFHS-4 underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to improve domestic water supply and governance in India. Targeted efforts should focus on enhancing access to improved drinking water sources and sanitation facilities, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Further, promoting the adoption of clean cooking fuels through subsidies, awareness campaigns, and infrastructure development initiatives is essential for mitigating indoor pollution and improving public health outcomes.

Maharashtra, a state boasting 1,845 dams, holds the unfortunate distinction of having only 18% of its farmland irrigated, showcasing a glaring disparity between infrastructure and actual benefits. The recent "dam scam" laid bare the misuse of public funds, with a mere 12% of minor irrigation projects operational. Political forces, notably the influential "sugar lobby," prioritize water allocation for water-intensive crops like sugarcane, exacerbating water scarcity in regions like Marathwada. Despite mounting evidence of unsustainable practices, such as increased sugarcane cultivation despite rainfall failures, political will to curb these trends still needs to be improved.

Moreover, the Madhav Chitale Committee’s findings highlight the rampant misallocation of funds in the guise of irrigation development, with a meagre 0.1% increase in irrigated areas despite staggering expenditures. The allure of water-centric projects has become a lucrative endeavour for vested interests.

However, the core of Maharashtra’s water crisis lies in groundwater mismanagement. Despite dam constructions, the state heavily relies on rain-fed agriculture, exacerbating dependence on groundwater. The reckless exploitation of these reserves and inadequate replenishment measures perpetuate a cycle of pre-monsoon crises reminiscent of the catastrophic 1972 drought. This historic calamity birthed the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS), a beacon of hope that provided rural employment and championed water conservation initiatives, serving as a precursor to the national MGNREGS. Moreover, withholding crucial MGNREGS funds amidst widespread drought exposes a detrimental short-sightedness at the central level.

Amidst these challenges, urban water management emerges as a critical frontier. Urban landscapes, mirroring industrialized counterparts without accounting for water scarcity, face an imminent reckoning. Rapid groundwater depletion and deliberate encroachment upon surface sources portend an escalation of water conflicts within urban centers. Equitable water distribution will remain a distant ideal without stringent regulations and proactive conservation efforts.

In Maharashtra and beyond, the water crisis demands a paradigm shift. It necessitates transcending political agendas to prioritize sustainable practices, equitable distribution, and community-driven solutions. The path forward lies in concerted efforts to harness technological innovation, revive traditional wisdom, and foster a culture of responsible stewardship. Only through collective action can we navigate the looming spectre of water scarcity, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

The global water crisis emphasizes the urgency of sustainable solutions. By 2025, over 3.2 billion people will struggle with water stress, necessitating decisive action. Agricultural and industrial demands constitute over 85% of global water usage, highlighting the pivotal role of these sectors in conservation efforts. Technologies like desalination offer promise, transitioning from luxury to necessity in addressing coastal water shortages. Concurrently, traditional practices like tank irrigation present viable, community-centric alternatives, offering equitable solutions without displacement.

Revitalizing agriculture through efficient water management is key to ensuring food security amidst growing demand. Organic farming, fertigation, and cultivating less water-intensive crops offer pathways to strengthen productivity while conserving water resources. Moreover, holistic approaches encompassing recycling, rainwater harvesting, and interlinking rivers can augment water availability while mitigating scarcity.

Policy reforms are essential across sectors to ensure adequate water management nationwide. Enhancing water usage efficiency for crops like rice, wheat, and sugarcane, coupled with promoting techniques like rainwater harvesting and watershed management, is critical in agriculture. Subsidy reforms are warranted, including customized pricing models to discourage groundwater exploitation. Similarly, the industrial sector should be incentivized to invest in wastewater recycling and treatment through regulations and subsidies for water treatment facilities.

Policy reforms to strengthen water infrastructure, enhance regulatory frameworks, and foster multi-stakeholder collaborations are critical for addressing the complex challenges facing India’s domestic water sector. By prioritizing investments in water infrastructure, promoting sustainable practices, and leveraging technology and innovation, India can ensure equitable access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and clean cooking fuels for all its citizens.

(Author: Prof (Dr.) S N Tripathy, Former Professor of Economics, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, currently at Berhampur, Odisha)

* [Editors Note: Leading ecologists in India and people activists from environmental groups have warned against the technocratic folly of interlinking rivers which could lead to untoward environmental consequences.

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