Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenarios.

According to the 2011 census, per capita water availability has declined from 5177 cubic meters in 1951 to 1545 cubic meters. This calls for some urgent measures to check the depletion of water resources in the country.

Some measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use are:

1. Watershed management: Includes checking wild run-off and intensive afforestation, thus reducing soil erosion, increasing water percolation and in turn replenishing groundwater reserves.

2. Rainwater harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater at surface or subsurface aquifers.

3. Micro Irrigation: Reduces water consumption in agriculture. Fertigation and chemigation are added advantages. 

4. River interlinking: It will result in the prevention of floods, droughts and would also enhance the irrigation potential of India as well as help in recharging groundwater.

5. Traditional water conservation and management system: They are not only inexpensive but can be implemented by the local population especially in rural areas. E.g.: Johad

6. Mass awareness programs: People need to be sensitized about the water scarcity problem. National as well as local awards could be instituted for incentivising good practices in water conservation and groundwater recharge.

Government has already initiated programs like Per Drop More Crop, Catch the Rain & Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) which are in consonance with the water conservation strategy. What remains to be done is their proper implementation and garnering the support of the public for its success.