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India is second largest populous country, but has only 4% of the water resources. In India, we are overwhelmed by the size and complexity of the water problems we face. India largely depends on monsoon rains for its water resources. The water resources are not distributed either in a temporal or spatial sense, equitably. A big challenge is to manage water resources due to this inequitable distribution of water in the country, some regions are facing floods and some regions are water stressed. With the growing population, there is a continuous increase in water requirement for various purposes. Water related disasters, particularly flood and drought are being faced very frequently in one part or the other of our country. As mentioned earlier water quality issues are also increasing with time. Yet another challenge relates to global warming and climate change. Water resources are likely to get impacted adversely, particularly in the form of intensification of extremal events.

Sustainable Development and Management

With growing population and rapid socio-economic development in India, it is becoming more challenging to meet the growing demand for water for various uses. Droughts and floods occur in various parts of the country and sometime simultaneously in two or more regions. Proper conservation, development and management of water resources including groundwater in holistic manner is important to meet the growing challenges. All options such as supply augmentation, demand management, protection and management of watersheds, concern for water quality and enforcing environmental standards should be considered. Simultaneously we have to pay due attention to the ground water availability and its quality through proper assessment and aquifer management.

To be continued....