Water is the next frontier for countries and everyone is trying to protect their water areas.
What does the future of water look like in India? Let’s look at different perspectives from the experts.
1. The future ain't look good, if we do not act now!
Abhishek Rai2. Prediction of India's water future till 2050
The total water demand in India is expected to increase by 22% and 32% by 2025 and 2050, respectively, from the present level of 680 billion cubic meters (Bm3). The industrial and domestic sectors will account for most of this excess demand(almost) 85% ).
While efficiencies in irrigation would lead to a drop in demand for water in farmlands, a small decline in food production is expected overall. Overall, water in India in future would be almost sufficient for food production.
However, the water usage pattern for food production would change, and lead to regional water crisis in many places.
Needless to say India requires investments and education in recharging groundwater, spreading water saving technologies and increasing crop productivity growth.
3. This is what we can do to secure India's water future !
Securing water for our future cannot be left on government's court alone. Unless, we all have put our stakes in the mission, there would not be any water left fit for drinking for our coming generations.
This is what we can do to secure our water future.
4. The turbulent future of water in India
A lot of human ingenuity, willpower and investment would be required to secure the future of water in India, which currently looks bleak and turbulent.
India’s dams can store only 200 cubic meters per person. India can store only about 30 days of rainfall, compared to 900 days in major river basins in arid areas of developed countries.
The need for storage will only grow because global climate change is going to have major impacts in India.
Not only there is likely to be rapid glacial melting in coming decades in the western Himalayas, there would be increased variability of rainfall in large parts of the subcontinent.
While industrialized countries harness over 80% of their economically-viable hydro-power potential, in India the figure is only 20%.
In the water-rich northeast of the country, water can be transformed from a curse to a blessing only if major investments are made in water infrastructure.
5. Cry of a River. The trouble with India’s toilets and drinking water.
The land where rivers are worshiped as goddesses, but not respected.
This documentary talks about the real truth and how we are bent on destroying our own water security.
Ashiish K Sinha
