FINALLY, THE DAY HAS COME WHERE WE STRIVE HARD TO QUENCH; WHAT IF WE DIE OUT OF THIRSTY IT’S TIME TO RUN IN SEARCH OF H2O

India has taken a significant step that directs towards the reduction of poverty and mainly on the steps contributing to the improvement of the quality drinking water. Although India has made improvements over the past decades to both the availability and quality of municipal drinking water systems, its large population has stressed planned water resources and rural areas are left out. In addition, rapid growth in India’s urban areas has stretched government solutions, which have been compromised by over-privatization.

One concern is that India may lack the overall long-term availability of replenishable water resources. While India’s aquifers are currently associated with replenishing sources, the country is also a major grain producer with a great need for water to support the commodity. As with all countries with large agricultural output, excess water consumption for food production depletes the overall water table. (1)

This nature has given plenty of resources but we humans have depleted it to the far extent. Certainly, the impact of it reflects flora and fauna widely. The acute water shortage prevailing in the forest areas of Tamil Nadu’s districts of Madurai and Dindigul has led to the deaths of Indian gaurs found in the forest region, as they come in search of water are killed falling into the wells. (2)

Reasons behind water scarcity in India

The water scarcity is man-made due to excess population growth and industrialisation. This concern is also due to mismanagement of water resources. Some of the major reasons for water scarcity are:

• Traditional techniques of irrigation cause maximum water loss due to evaporation, drainage, percolation, water conveyance, and excess use of groundwater. It is far better to adopt modern agriculture techniques
• Rapid construction is ignoring traditional water bodies that have also acted as groundwater recharging mechanism. We need to urgently revive traditional aquifers while implementing new ones.
• Sewage and wastewater drainage into traditional water bodies. Government intervention at the source is urgently required if this problem is to be tackled. (3)
• The immediate action to release of chemicals and effluents into rivers, streams and ponds. Strict monitoring and implementation of laws by the government.
• Lack of on-time De-silting operations in large water bodies that can enhance water storage capacity during monsoon. It is surprising that the governments at state levels have not taken this up on priority as an annual practice.
• Lack of efficient water management and distribution of water between urban consumers, the agriculture sector and industry. The government needs to enhance its investment in technology and include all stakeholders at the planning level to ensure optimization of existing resources. (4)

WATER CRISIS HITS TAMIL NADU

Water levels in India’s major reservoirs have fallen to 21 per cent of the average of the last decade. Fifty-four per cent of the country’s groundwater is declining faster than it is being replenished and there is a crippling dependence on monsoon rains to replenish most of India’s key water sources– underground aquifers, lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Close to half the country, about 600 million people, face severe scarcity year after year. By 2020, India will be formally categorized as a “water-stressed” country, one where per capita availability of water is less than 1,000 cubic metres or less. (5)

The water levels in Chennai’s four main reservoirs have been at their lowest in seven decades, with the current quantities cumulatively adding only up to 1.3% of the total capacity. This is the fifth lowest quantity of water recorded in the last 74 years, making it one of the worst droughts the city has witnessed.

Private water suppliers are making the most of the crisis and have begun charging Rs 2,500-6,000 per load of a tanker in the city, depending upon the capacity of the vehicle.

While the administration points to deficient rainfall as a reason, experts and activists say the drought is mostly man-made. They fear the drought this year could be worse than what was witnessed in 2017. The average rainfall in the state during last year was 81 cm as against the normal rainfall of 96 cm. The state should have received 10 cm rainfall during January.

Of the 32 districts in the state, 24 have been declared drought-hit. The major reservoirs in Tamil Nadu have a 26% deficiency, even though live storage in six major reservoirs – Lower Bhavani, Mettur (Stanley), Vaigai, Parambikulam, Aliyar and Sholayar – is comparatively higher than last year’s levels. (6)

To know more information about the Water Scarcity, Read Steps To Overcome The Water Crisis