Water stress is a situation in which the water resources in a region or country are insufficient for its needs. According to the World Resources Institute, India is ranked 13/ 17 in most water-stressed countries of the world. NITI Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index states that 21 major cities in India are threatened by severe water stress.
Regional Variation of water stress:
1. Eastern India receives adequate rainfall and hence suffers from minimum scarcity.
2. Though parts of North east India receive very heavy rainfall, in many parts there is flooding in the wet season while there is water scarcity in dry season. E.g., Cherrapunji.
3. Central and western India receive low rainfall hence are water stressed. E.g., Vidarbha.
4. Parts of upper gangetic plains and north west India are facing acute water stress due to overexploitation of groundwater for irrigation.
5. Coastal regions suffer from low water stress due to good orographic rainfall and proximity to the seas.
Reasons for regional variation:
1. Climatic variations create differences in rainfall in magnitude, intensity and duration, solar insolation etc.
2. Climate change leading to increased rain shadow zones, shorter downpour period and desertification.
3. Water pollution due to agricultural runoff, industrial discharge and waste water dumping make it unfit for use.
4. Naturally occurring water scarce regions. E.g.: Thar desert, Aravalli regions, etc.
5. Urbanisation and encroachment of urban water bodies is a major cause of urban water stress.
A host of measures like PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, National Mission For sustainable agriculture etc. have been initiated. Watershed Management, Decentralised planning, local level participation and revival of traditional water conservation practises like Aahar-Pyne (Bihar) are critical in mitigating water crisis under SDG 6 of clean water for all by 2030.
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