Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Water is a critical resource for India’s economic and social development, yet the country faces a severe water crisis due to increasing demand, climate change, and inefficient management. According to the NITI Aayog’s 2018 report, ‘India’s Water Security’, nearly 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress, and about 200 million people lack access to safe drinking water. Depleting groundwater levels, coupled with erratic monsoon patterns, necessitate urgent measures to improve water storage and irrigation systems to ensure judicious water use and sustainable agricultural practices. This requires a holistic approach encompassing both supply-side (storage) and demand-side (irrigation) management.
Enhancing Water Storage
Improving water storage capacity is crucial to mitigate the impacts of water scarcity. This can be achieved through a combination of traditional and modern techniques:
- Revival of Traditional Water Harvesting Structures: Structures like johads (Rajasthan), kulhs (Himachal Pradesh), and aahar-pyne (Bihar) have proven effective in localized water conservation. Government schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) can be leveraged for their restoration and construction.
- Construction of Large Dams and Reservoirs: While controversial due to environmental and social impacts, large dams remain a significant source of water storage. However, emphasis should be on completing stalled projects and ensuring efficient reservoir management.
- Groundwater Recharge: Artificial groundwater recharge techniques, such as rainwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge (MAR), can replenish depleted aquifers. The Atal Bhujal Yojana aims to improve groundwater management and recharge in select districts.
- Small-Scale Storage Structures: Farm ponds, check dams, and percolation tanks can provide localized water storage for irrigation and other uses.
- Interlinking of Rivers (ILR): Though a complex and debated project, ILR aims to transfer water from water-surplus basins to water-deficit basins, enhancing overall water availability.
Improving Irrigation Systems
Efficient irrigation is vital for minimizing water wastage and maximizing agricultural productivity. Key measures include:
- Micro-Irrigation Techniques: Promoting drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, which deliver water directly to plant roots, significantly reduces water loss through evaporation and runoff. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) provides subsidies for these technologies.
- Canal Lining: Lining irrigation canals with concrete or other materials prevents seepage and improves water conveyance efficiency.
- System of Rice Intensification (SRI): SRI is a water-saving technique for rice cultivation that involves alternate wetting and drying of fields, reducing water consumption by 25-50%.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Control: Utilizing sensors, remote sensing, and data analytics to monitor water levels, soil moisture, and crop water requirements enables precise irrigation scheduling.
- Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM): Empowering water user associations (WUAs) to manage irrigation systems promotes local ownership and improves water distribution efficiency.
- Diversification of Crops: Encouraging farmers to shift to less water-intensive crops can reduce overall water demand in agriculture.
Addressing Challenges
Implementing these measures faces several challenges:
- Inter-State Water Disputes: Sharing of water resources between states often leads to conflicts, hindering effective water management.
- Financial Constraints: Investing in water storage and irrigation infrastructure requires substantial financial resources.
- Land Acquisition Issues: Construction of dams and canals often involves land acquisition, leading to displacement and social unrest.
- Lack of Awareness: Farmers often lack awareness about water-saving techniques and the benefits of efficient irrigation.
- Climate Change Impacts: Erratic rainfall patterns and increased frequency of droughts pose significant challenges to water management.
To overcome these challenges, a collaborative approach involving the central and state governments, local communities, and the private sector is essential. Strengthening water governance, promoting public awareness, and investing in research and development are also crucial.
Conclusion
Addressing India’s water crisis requires a paradigm shift towards integrated water resource management. Prioritizing water storage augmentation, promoting efficient irrigation techniques, and fostering community participation are essential steps. Investing in innovative technologies, strengthening institutional frameworks, and resolving inter-state water disputes will be crucial for ensuring water security and sustainable development in the face of a depleting water scenario. A long-term vision, coupled with effective implementation, is vital for securing water resources for future generations.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.