QUES . Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources? UPSC 2023 GS MAINS PAPER I, 150 words, 10 Marks
HINTS:
Key facts regarding water scarcity
Four billion people — almost two thirds of the world’s population — experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year.
Over two billion people live in countries where water supply is inadequate.
Half of the world’s population could be living in areas facing water scarcity by as early as 2025.
Some 700 million people could be displaced by intense water scarcity by 2030.
By 2040, roughly 1 in 4 children worldwide will be living in areas of extremely high water stress.
Reasons for crisis of availability of freshwater resources
Uneven distribution of freshwater resources temporally and spatially. For instance arid and semi-arid regions face inherent water scarcity due to their geographical location, receiving limited rainfall. On the other hand monsoons in India concentrate 85% of annual rainfall in just three to four month period.
Increasing global population even as water supply remains constant. The global population is estimated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050.
Climate change induced water shortage. Climate change is disrupting the natural hydrological cycle, leading to altered precipitation patterns. Many regions are experiencing more frequent and severe droughts. Rising sea levels and storm surges caused by intensifying tropical cyclones result in saline intrusion in coastal areas, further diminishing freshwater resources.
Also the supply of freshwater itself is very limited, as freshwater makes up only 1% of total global water supply.
Over-exploitation of groundwater resources. Unsustainable over-extraction of groundwater and surface water for irrigation, industry, and municipal use depletes aquifers and rivers faster than they can naturally recharge.
Pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, untreated sewage,etc. is contaminating freshwater sources. Contamination of water with arsenic, cadmium etc. is making it unusable.
Also there is low water use efficiency, particularly in agriculture. Wrong set of crops being promoted in different regions, For instance, sugarcane and rice in water-scarce areas due to poor agro-ecological planning.
Reasons for crisis of access to freshwater resources
Marginalized communities and low-income households often lack the means to invest in water infrastructure or pay for clean water services. Moreover, the privatization of water services in some regions has also resulted in limited access for those who cannot afford it.
Lack of cooperation on water among the states and federal units
Lack of proper water management and governance along with inadequate investment, lack of adequate political focus and poor management of water supply infrastructure.
Geographical factors like remoteness can limit access to freshwater resources.
Political instability, wars and conflicts can disrupt access to water sources.
Addressing the above challenges requires a combination of conservation efforts, sustainable water management practices, improved infrastructure,pollution control, better sewage treatment practices and social equity initiatives. By adopting these measures we can achieve the targets under SDG Goal 6 (Clean water and sanitation).
