Context:

• World Water Day, which falls on March 22, is a global initiative backed by the United Nations, and has been observed every year since 1993. 
• Under different themes, the attempt has been to raise awareness among stakeholders about the importance of freshwater. The UN’s theme this year is “Leveraging Water for Peace”. 
• As everyone knows, there was a time when clean water was available in wells, ponds, streams, rivers and other sources, but the situation is vastly different now. There is a problem of water availability with respect to quantity or quality.

Problems in Achieving Water Security in India:

• Water Scarcity: India faces issues of water scarcity due to various factors such as rapid urbanisation, industrialization, unsustainable agricultural practices, and climate change.
  • According to the World Resources Institute(WRI), India faces ‘extremely high’ levels of water stress which is threatening to result in conflict, unrest and peace among people.
• Groundwater Depletion: Groundwater levels are depleting rapidly in many states, leading to concerns about long-term water availability.
  • The example of Bengaluru is one prominent example. In Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana, the ratio of groundwater consumption to availability is 172%, 137%, 137% and 133%, respectively, which is cause for alarm.
• Unequal Distribution: There’s a significant disparity in water availability and distribution between different regions and rural-urban areas.
  • Water access within and near home is high in urban areas but low in rural areas.
• Water Quality: Pollution from various sources such as industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage is deteriorating the quality of water in rivers, lakes, and groundwater reservoirs.
• Inefficient Water Management: Inadequate infrastructure, poor maintenance of water bodies, and inefficient use of water resources contribute to the water crisis.
  • 72% of all water withdrawals are for use in agriculture, which is known for low water use efficiency, followed by,  16% by municipalities for households and services, and 12% by industries.
• Climate Change Impact: Erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather events exacerbate water scarcity and pose challenges for water management.
  • Rainfed regions in India which comprise over 48% of land area produces nearly 45% of the gross agricultural product. So, a large amount of India’s food grains is from the rainfed region and erratic rainfall affects food security.
• Problem of Water sharing: These problems exist between different states of India and between India and its neighbouring countries. 
  • Different states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana are entangled in water sharing issues.
  • India has issues with Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan over water and flood management. 

Specific Impacts of Water insecurity on Women:

• Time poverty: In households whose principal water source lies outside their household premises, water collection is typically perceived as a gendered activity, with the time burden of collecting water inevitably falling on women and girls of the household. 

• Shortcomings in Education: Water insecurity affects the school attendance and academic performance of girls. 

• Violence on women: Women also face gender based violence during the commute for water collection, which has an adverse impact on their mental health. 

• Health issues: Research suggests that lack of access to adequate water leads to the practice of open defecation. Apart from the health impacts like diarrhoea, typhoid and cholera, and impacts on menstrual health, women who practise open defecation also face psychosocial stress as well as a greater risk of non-partner sexual violence. 

Steps Taken by the Government:

• National Water Mission: The mission aims to ensure integrated water resource management helping to conserve water, minimise wastage and ensure more equitable distribution both across and within states. 
  • The Mission will develop a framework to optimise water use by increasing water use efficiency by 20% through regulatory mechanisms with differential entitlements and pricing. 
  • It will seek to address the water concerns of cities through solutions like water recycling and sea water desalination.
• Jal Jeevan Mission is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India. 
  • The programme will also implement source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, rain water harvesting. 
  • The Jal Jeevan Mission will be based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan- Catch the Rain 2022(JSA-CTR 2022): This campaign was started to spread awareness about the importance of water conservation and rainwater harvesting  among the public in India. 
• The Atal Bhujal Yojana, India’s largest community-led groundwater management program, is helping improve rural livelihoods and build resilience in 7 Indian states which have the highest rates of groundwater depletion.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): The government has launched schemes like PMKSY to promote efficient water use in agriculture through micro-irrigation techniques.

Solutions to Address Water insecurity:

• • Smart Water Management Systems: Implementing IoT-based technologies for real-time monitoring and management of water resources can optimise water use and reduce wastage.
  • Revival of Water Bodies: Efforts to revive and maintain water bodies like ponds, lakes, and wetlands to enhance water storage and recharge groundwater. This will be of great use in urban areas.

• Groundwater use neutrality: Taking steps to ensure that groundwater recharge is done adequately. This can arrest the fast depleting groundwater resources in India.

• Reorientation of Agriculture: Cropping pattern and crop selection in different areas should be reoriented in such a way to avoid a water crisis.

• Community Participation: Involving local communities in water management and conservation efforts can ensure sustainable usage and equitable distribution of water resources.
• Water Pricing: Implementing water pricing mechanisms based on usage can encourage efficient water use and discourage wastage.
• Integrated Farming Systems: Promoting integrated farming systems that optimise water use and crop selection can improve agricultural productivity while conserving water.
• Desalination and Wastewater Reuse: Investing in desalination plants and promoting safe reuse of treated wastewater can augment water supply and reduce pressure on freshwater sources.
• Research and Innovation: Encouraging research and innovation in water conservation technologies and practices can lead to novel solutions for addressing water scarcity and improving water management.

These solutions, on proper implementation can help strengthen the theme of World Water Day 2024  and can help India become water secure.