Water is at the core of sustainable development and is critical for socio-economic development, healthy ecosystems and for human survival itself. Water is vital for reducing the global burden of disease and improving the health, welfare and productivity of populations.
Since 1900, more than 11 million people have died as a consequence of drought and more than 2 billion have been affected by drought, more than any other physical hazard.
Today, 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and 4.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation services.
By 2025, 1.8 billion people are expected to be living in conditions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world population could be under water stress conditions.
Who produces and publishes the United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR)?
United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR) is produced by the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme and published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water.
The United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR) is UN-Water’s flagship report on water and sanitation issues.
What is United Nations Water (UN-Water)?
United Nations Water (UN-Water) is an interagency mechanism that coordinates the efforts of United Nations entities and international organizations working on water and sanitation issues.
When was the first UN World Water Development Report presented?
The first UN World Water Development Report, called “Water for People, Water for Life” was presented at the third World Water Forum in Japan in 2003.
What is the focus area of the report?
The report focuses on a different theme each year and gives policy recommendations to decision-makers by offering best practices and in-depth analyses with respect to world’s freshwater resources and their management.
The report examines the ways that the world’s water resources are being managed and the varied water problems that different regions of the world are experiencing.
It takes a close look at growing water problems worldwide, such as access to clean water and sanitation, and the cross-cutting issues which affect them, such as: energy, climate change, agriculture, and urban growth.
The report also offers recommendations on how freshwater resources could be managed more sustainably.
What is the title of UN World Water Development Report (UN WWDR) 2023 and when it was released ?
The new edition of the UN World Water Development Report (UN WWDR) 2023, “Partnerships and Cooperation for Water”, was released on World Water Day, 22 March. https://www.unesco.org/reports/wwdr/2023/en
Also read https://fotisedu.com/traditional-practices-of-water-conservation/
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES 1 . Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: According to the United Nations’ ‘World Water Development Report, 2022,’ India extracts more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal every year.
Statement-II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world’s population living in it’s territory.
Which one of the following is correct in respect to the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (c) Explanation: According to the United Nations’ ‘World Water Development Report, 2022,’ India extracts more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal every year. About 89% of this groundwater is used in India for irrigation.
