Vijay Garg
The increasing water crisis is not only a matter of concern from the environmental point of view, but it also hinders the economic development of the country. Decreasing water resources and increasing demand for water are increasing instability in human life and economic development. Due to this, human life and existence of animals and birds is also in danger. The increasing water crisis is having a special impact on the sectors considered to be the backbone of the economy. It is faced most in agricultural production, tourism, animal husbandry, industry, horticulture, fishery, dairy.
Today one third of the world’s population does not have access to clean drinking water. The latest report of the United Nations has shown that at present every second person is facing serious water problem. About 733 million people in the world live in areas where water problems are extremely serious. Globally, the total demand for clean water is expected to increase by 30 percent by 2050.
The World Bank has stated in one of its reports that lack of clean water causes a loss of 260 billion dollars every year. Water crisis is a hindrance even in the world’s fastest growing Indian economy. This is putting citizens’ natural right to drinking water at risk, as well as threatening the livelihood of millions of people in the country and limiting jobs in various sectors.
Water is responsible for three out of four jobs created globally. In such a situation, the increasing water crisis will have a bad impact on jobs. The unemployment rate in the country is already at a high level, in such a situation, the unemployment rate will increase drastically due to water crisis.
Due to the rapidly growing Indian economy and increasing trend of urbanization, the demand for water is increasing rapidly. On the other hand, the possibility of increasing water supply is very limited. Ground water level is decreasing gradually. Due to increasing water crisis in cities, the economic development there also gets hampered. The prices of water-based food items increase, due to which inflation increases. Increasing inflation increases economic pressure on people, which leads to problems like poverty and hunger.
Lack of clean water impacts the productivity of the workforce and increases the financial burden on health services. A report by the ‘World Resources Institute’ has also mentioned India in the list of seventeen countries facing serious water crisis in the world. Water crisis is a serious challenge in many big cities. India’s third most populous city Bangalore is facing serious water crisis these days. Situations like ‘Day Zero’ can be seen there. This is having a negative impact on the business of schools, colleges, restaurants and hotels. This situation is not only in Bangalore, but in many big cities of India.
A UNESCO report says that by 2025, water crisis will increase in many big cities like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Maharashtra, many cities will join the ‘dry zone’. Report of ‘Centre for Science and Environment’ has also expressed fear of ‘Day Zero’ in thirteen states of India. In ‘Day Zero’ cities, water supply becomes dependent on other sources. Due to lack of adequate supply of pure drinking water, a large number of people die.
NITI Aayog’s report shows that every year about two lakh people in India die due to lack of adequate water supply. 18 percent of the world’s total population lives in India, while India has water availability for four percent of the population. The World Bank report shows that last year, about 91 million people in India were deprived of access to clean water. The World Bank in its 2016 report warned that countries suffering from water crisis may have to face a crisis in economic development by 2050. There are many reasons behind the water crisis. Changes in rainfall cycle due to climate change, rapid increase in unplanned urbanization, increasing population, excessive groundwater exploitation by companies manufacturing soft drinks, increasing number of hydroelectric projects, construction of dams on rivers, lack of proper management in water irrigated agriculture. Excessive cutting of trees, apart from this there are other reasons also which lead to water scarcity.
Without water, human expansion and economic development is not possible. Problems arising from water affect agriculture the most, food productivity decreases, farmers’ income declines, and the crisis on food security increases. This increases poverty, inequality and social instability in the country and increases the chances of political instability in the country. Also, rural and urban economies are badly affected.
Water crisis affects tourist destinations, affecting local people’s employment and regional development. The economy suffers losses. There is a decline in the industrial development and production of the country and the employment related to this sector decreases. Many social welfare related policies and schemes are hampered with external and internal trade. Water provides a fundamental resource for economic development, it is the lifeblood of humans and the country’s economy.
Water crisis and diminishing water resources are threatening the existence of all communities around the world. There is a need to stop irrational exploitation of water as soon as possible. To increase water resources, the Central and State Governments should identify and plan to renovate all the ponds, wells and small rivers from the time of independence to the present in cities and rural areas. Recycling of waste water for water-based industries, factories, agriculture and horticulture in urban areas should be promoted. MPs, MLAs should take initiative to adopt wells, ponds, small rivers in their respective areas, appoint water conservation watchdogs and spread awareness among the people. Awareness has to be created regarding water conservation. Budgetary provision should be made for proper water management. If the water crisis is not stopped in time, economic development will be hampered.
(The author is retired principal, educational columnist and can be reached at [email protected])
