Main Body
India is home to 18% of human population, but has only 4% of global freshwater resources. This is a structural issue for water crisis, due to:
Availability:
1Southern plateau, especially semi-shadow regions have less amount of water.
2Seasonal nature of peninsulas offer less amount of water.
3Regions of desert and dryness also have naturally low availability.
Management Issues:
1Overexploitation of groundwater - 80% of ground on population basis.
2GOI of groundwater used for agriculture - highly inefficient irrigation.
3Industrial efficiency reduced - due to increased cost of water.
4Disparaging effect on women - economically vulnerable for water extraction from long distances.
5Increased urbanization - high encroachment from local aquifer; and reduced recharge capacity
6Pollution by industry, sewage waste, and agricultural runoff
5Poor watershed management.
Impact on Society & Economy:
1Reduced agricultural productivity - causing income and job losses.
2Urban drinking water crisis - sanitation issues with Delhi, Chennai
3Industrial efficiency reduced - due to increased cost of water.
4Disparaging effect on women - economically vulnerable for water extraction from long distances.
Remedial measures needed:
1Agriculture → Efficient irrigation (per drop more crop)
Agro-ecological zoning for producing local varieties (ICAR)
2Pollution → Strict enforcement of EPA, 1986 limits.
Mandatory sewage management by local bodies
3Availability → At household level through Tal Deevan Nirman
Inter-basin transfer through River interlinkage (KL Rao Scheme)
4Recycle & Reuse of water - water is essential for life itself. The crisis need to be managed for 'Sabka Paani'.
262 words21 paragraphs
- Quantifies India's water share (4% for 18% population)
- Distinguishes between availability and management issues
- Includes gender dimension
- Links to economic impacts
- Comprehensive coverage of pollution sources
- Cites real city examples (Delhi, Chennai)
- Links to employment and livelihoods
- Addresses gender inequality
- Multidimensional approach to solutions
- Mentions specific schemes and acts
- Links micro-level (household) to macro-level (interlinkage)
- Includes recycling perspective
Topper
ABHISHEK KUMAR JHA
AIR 2312025
Subject & Paper
GS1GS1
Topic
Salient features of Indian Society and Diversity
Water Resources and Management
Water Crisis in India - Causes and Impacts
Writing Stats
262
Total words
21
Paragraphs
prescriptive
Tone