Water scarcity in India

Water scarcity involves water stress, water shortage or deficits, and water crisis. This may be due to both natural and human factors. But, many reports suggest that the scarcity is more due to the human factor than anything - such as industrialization, irrigation, domestic use, etc.[1]

Effect on Animals

The acute water shortage prevailing in the forest areas of Tamil Nadu's districts of Madurai and Dindigul has led the Indian gaurs found in the forest of the region, to death as they come in search of water and end up dead by falling into the wells.[2]

Counter measures

Community led initiatives

With support from government and UNICEF, villagers in Palve Budruk, located in the drought-prone Parner Block in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, developed a catchment plan covering 1,400 hectors – that’s over 80% of the land available. The system has three check dams, 20 canal bunds, two small percolation tanks linked to the main tank and 19 village ponds. Water stored in the percolation tank, is strictly meant for domestic use only. Piped water is supplied for an hour a day in the morning, during which time families fill up water for drinking and cooking[3]

Government led initiatives

SIS Seoul International School is Fundraising to bring water to India, and can be found in South Korea, or siskorea. It also led to India by which it is governed.

Raising awareness

The Canadian start-up Decode Global has developed the mobile game Get Water!, a game for social change focusing on the water scarcity in India and the effect it has on girls' education. The game's primary goal is to raise awareness of the water crisis, by educating children as well as adult gamers. To put more focus on children'd learning, the company has published a 6-part lesson plan for 4-6 grade teachers, available for download as a pdf from the game's website.

Exploitation of Ground water

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)has notified 82 areas (Districts,Blocks, Mandals, Talukas, Municipalities) for regulation of ground water development.[4] In these areas, installation of new ground water abstraction structures is not permitted without prior specific approval of the Authority / Authorized officer. Moreover, proposals for setting up/expansion of ground water based industries including bottled water manufacturing units are forwarded by State Pollution Control Boards and Bureau of Indian Standards to CGWA for seeking No Objection Certificate (NOC) for ground water withdrawal. NOC is not accorded to such industries including bottled water manufacturing units proposed to be located in areas notified by the Authority. In non- notified areas, NOC is issued with mandatory pre-conditions of adoption of rain water harvesting system, monitoring of ground water abstraction as well as monitoring of ground water level and quality etc. by the industry. For enforcement of the regulatory directions issued under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,concerned Deputy Commissioners/ District Collectors have been authorized to take necessary action in case of violations of directives of CGWA in the notified areas.

See also

References

External links

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