23-November-2024-Special-Article

DECLINE IN EARTH’S FRESHWATER RESERVES

Freshwater resources are vital for human survival, ecosystem balance, and economic development. However, recent findings from NASA-German GRACE satellites and other global reports indicate a sharp decline in Earth’s freshwater levels since 2014.

This worrying trend is evident both globally and in India, driven by climatic changes, over-extraction, and mismanagement of water resources.

    

Status of Freshwater Decline

Global Scenario:

• Between 2015 and 2023, the total volume of freshwater stored in lakes, rivers, and groundwater decreased by 1,200 cubic kilometers.
• Over 400 river basins worldwide, including prominent ones like the Congo Basin, report reduced water flows.
• The World Meteorological Organization highlighted that 2023 was the driest year for global rivers in three decades.

India’s Challenges:

• India supports 18% of the world’s population but has only 4% of its freshwater resources.
• Nearly 50% of Indian rivers are polluted, and many reservoirs hold just 38% of their storage capacity.
• According to NITI Aayog’s 2018 Composite Water Management Index, 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress.
• Groundwater depletion is acute in agrarian states like Punjab and Haryana, where excessive irrigation has caused water table levels to plummet.
• Drought-prone areas like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat experience chronic water scarcity.

Causes of Freshwater Depletion

Impact of El Niño Events:

• El Niño events, like the 2014–2016 episode, have disrupted global rainfall patterns, leading to prolonged droughts.
• Warmer Pacific Ocean temperatures altered jet streams, intensifying arid conditions.

Climate Change:

• Uneven and erratic rainfall patterns due to climate change result in droughts and irregular monsoons.
• Heavy rainfall events lead to runoff rather than groundwater recharge.
• Higher evaporation rates and increased atmospheric water retention worsen droughts.

Over-Extraction of Groundwater:

• Reliance on groundwater for irrigation exceeds natural replenishment, especially in regions with insufficient rainfall.
• Urbanization and industrial demand further stress groundwater resources.

Loss of Ecosystems:

• The destruction of wetlands and forests reduces the land’s capacity to hold water.
• Deforestation and soil erosion decrease rainwater absorption, reducing water body replenishment.

Unsustainable Agricultural Practices and Pollution:

• Agriculture consumes 70% of accessible freshwater, often wasted through inefficient irrigation.
• Water-intensive crops deplete resources further.
• Untreated industrial and domestic wastewater contaminates rivers and lakes, diminishing their usability.

Implications of Freshwater Decline

Impact on Biodiversity:

• According to the World Wildlife Fund, freshwater species populations have dropped by 84% since 1970 due to habitat destruction, pollution, and dam constructions.
• Such losses disrupt ecosystems and their essential services.

Effects on Human Communities:

• Water scarcity leads to food shortages, poverty, and migration, especially in vulnerable regions.
• By 2025, over 1.8 billion people could face extreme water scarcity.
• Urban centers like Chennai and Bengaluru frequently experience water shortages, disrupting daily life and increasing costs.

Threats to Ecosystem Services:

• Degraded freshwater ecosystems hinder processes like nutrient cycling and flood mitigation.
• These changes weaken climate resilience and community stability.

Geopolitical Conflicts:

• Over 60% of global freshwater is shared across borders, leading to disputes over usage.
• International tensions, like the Nile River conflict among Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, and India’s disputes over the Indus and Cauvery rivers, exemplify such challenges.

Challenges for Technology:

• Water-intensive cooling systems in data centers for Artificial Intelligence (AI) are expected to consume 4.2–6.6 billion cubic meters of water annually by 2027, increasing pressure on resources.

Water Conservation Initiatives

Global Measures:

• World Water Day: Raises awareness about water conservation.
• Water Credit: Promotes microloans to improve water access.
• Water Action Agenda (2023): Focuses on fast-tracking progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6, which ensures access to clean water and sanitation.

India’s Efforts:

• National Water Policy (2012): Advocates integrated water resource management.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana: Aims to improve groundwater management in water-stressed areas.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Promotes rainwater harvesting and water conservation.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana: Encourages efficient irrigation practices.
• Mission Amrit Sarovar: Focuses on creating water reservoirs.
• Bhu-Neer Portal: Provides centralized groundwater-related data to improve regulation.

Way Forward

Policy Reforms:

• Recognize water as a shared resource.
• Implement policies on pricing, subsidies, and public procurement to encourage conservation.
• Ensure equitable access to clean water for marginalized communities.

Rainwater Harvesting:

• Promote large-scale and small-scale rainwater harvesting in water-scarce areas to supplement supplies.

Optimize Desalination:

• Develop energy-efficient desalination methods, such as reverse osmosis and nanotechnology-based purification.

Infrastructure Improvement:

• Strengthen storage and distribution systems like dams, aqueducts, and reservoirs, with careful planning to avoid ecological harm.
• Incorporate sediment management and fair water allocation in new projects.

Promote Sustainable Practices:

• Encourage alternatives to bottled water, such as filters and refillable containers, to reduce waste.

Conclusion

The alarming decline in freshwater reserves demands immediate attention. Addressing the issue requires a multifaceted approach combining policy, technology, and sustainable practices. Collaborative efforts at global, national, and local levels can ensure the availability of this precious resource for future generations.

Mains Question:

1. “Examine the causes and implications of the decline in Earth’s freshwater reserves and suggest sustainable strategies to address water scarcity in India.” (150 WORDS)