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A well-designed system to encourage efficiency, equity and environmental sustainability and discourage wastage and inequity should be evolved.

India’s agricultural sector which is critical not only for providing the food security in the country but also is the backbone of the livelihood of more than half of the country’s population, uses about 80 per cent of the water resources in the country and faces the problem of low water use efficiency. Thus, there is an urgent need to improve the water use efficiency in irrigation in a substantial manner. Smart irrigation, application of water based on real time moisture in the soil, micro irrigation techniques such as drop and sprinkler irrigation have wide scope in enhancing water use efficiency in the irrigation sector. Similarly, rainwater harvesting, ground water recharge, crop diversification with less water intensive crops and participatory irrigation management will also greatly help in this regard. With the increasing pressure of population, ensuring sustainability of agriculture has become more and more challenging. Water management is key to ensure sustainability of agriculture, which in turn will boost the economic development.

Industrial sector which is witnessing substantial growth, requires increasing volume of water on reliable basis. We need to encourage the recycle and reuse of waste water to meet the growing demand of water for the industry. Other measures like water audit, reducing leakages and encouraging water efficient technologies will also be useful in this regard. The total demand for water will also rise. Efficiency of water use and reuse, therefore, must be built into the blueprint of industrial projects. We need to encourage industrial practices that have the minimum water footprint.

The issue of water is becoming more critical in view of climate change and related environmental concerns. Climate change is expected to play a substantial role in shaping the water scenario in the coming decades.

To be continued...