28-September-2024-Special-Article

8^th INDIA WATER WEEK (IWW) 2024

The 8th India Water Week (IWW) 2024 was inaugurated by the President of India in New Delhi, organized under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

This significant international event serves as a platform for discussions and collaboration on water resource management, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in addressing water-related challenges.

Aim of India Water Week

• Addressing Water Management Challenges: The primary goal of IWW 2024 is to tackle critical issues in water management and promote innovation in technologies and practices related to water.
• Evolution Since 2012: Since its launch in 2012, IWW has become a pivotal platform for global water diplomacy, encouraging dialogue, innovation, and the sharing of knowledge to address urgent water challenges.

Theme of IWW 2024

• Partnerships and Cooperation: The theme for 2024, “Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management,” emphasizes the significance of collaborative efforts across various sectors and countries.
• Integrated Approaches: The theme advocates for comprehensive strategies for water conservation, effective management, and fair distribution of water resources.
• International Cooperation: It highlights the importance of global partnerships and collaboration among multiple stakeholders to ensure sustainable water development and to tackle worldwide water security issues.

Participants at IWW 2024

• Global Participation: Nations such as Denmark, Israel, Australia, and Singapore showcased their water innovations and experiences.
• Notable Absences: China and Bangladesh were absent from the IWW events in India.
• Key Organizations: Representatives from the World Water Council, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank participated, enhancing the forum’s international significance.

International WASH Conference

About the Conference

• Key Highlight: A major event during IWW 2024 was the International Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Conference, organized by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Aim of the Conference

• Global Cooperation in WASH: The conference aimed to promote worldwide collaboration to tackle critical sanitation challenges and improve hygiene standards.

Theme of the Conference

• Sustaining Rural Water Supply: The conference focused on this theme, creating a platform for knowledge sharing, innovation, and the exchange of best practices to address global WASH issues, especially in light of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.

Outcomes

• Leadership in Rural Water Management: The conference underscored India’s leadership through initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Global Partnerships: It highlighted the importance of international cooperation, community-led solutions, and technology-driven innovations for addressing future water and sanitation challenges.

Highlighted Initiatives

• Catch the Rain Campaign (2021): A nationwide movement advocating community participation to confront the water crisis effectively.
• National Safe Water Dialogue: Focused on the implications of the Jal Jeevan Mission, discussing water disinfection, community engagement, and the mission’s impact assessment.

Current State of Water in India

Water Scarcity

• Population and Resources: India has 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its freshwater resources, making it one of the most water-stressed nations.

Groundwater Depletion

• Dependence on Groundwater: Groundwater supplies 80% of drinking water and two-thirds of irrigation needs.
• Severe Depletion: Over-extraction has led to critical depletion, especially in agricultural states like Punjab, where the water table is dropping rapidly.

Water Pollution

• Contamination Levels: Approximately 70% of India’s water sources are contaminated, with nearly half of the country’s rivers deemed unsafe for drinking or irrigation.
• Global Ranking: India ranks 120th out of 122 countries in the Global Water Quality Index 2024.

Rural Water Access

• Access Issues: About 163 million Indians lack safe drinking water, and 600 million face significant water stress, with many rural areas relying on unsafe sources.

Climate Vulnerability

• Impact of Climate Change: Climate change has worsened droughts and floods, threatening water availability. By 2030, India’s water supply may only meet half of its demand.

Factors Contributing to the Water Crisis in India

Rapid Population Growth and Urbanization

• Increased Demand: Rising population and urbanization intensify the demand for water, straining existing resources and infrastructure.

Depleting Groundwater Reserves

• Over-extraction for Agriculture: Excessive groundwater extraction for agricultural purposes has led to alarming depletion rates in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

Inefficient Agricultural Practices

• High Water Consumption: Agriculture, which uses around 80% of India’s freshwater, relies heavily on water-intensive crops and inefficient irrigation methods, resulting in unsustainable water use.

Pollution of Water Bodies

• Sources of Pollution: Industrial waste, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff have severely contaminated rivers, lakes, and groundwater, diminishing the availability of safe water.

Climate Change

• Erratic Weather Patterns: Changing rainfall patterns and increasing drought frequency due to climate change disrupt water availability, exacerbating issues in drought-prone regions.

Unequal Distribution and Access

• Regional Imbalances: Disparities in water availability lead to unequal access, particularly affecting rural and marginalized communities.

Aging Infrastructure and Poor Management

• Inefficiencies: Lack of modern water management systems and aging infrastructure result in wastage and inefficiencies in water distribution and treatment.

Over-reliance on Monsoons

• Vulnerability to Variability: India’s heavy reliance on monsoon rainfall makes it susceptible to changes in monsoon patterns, impacting agricultural output and water availability.

Weak Governance and Policy Implementation

• Fragmented Policies: Inconsistent water policies and weak governance hinder effective water management and conservation efforts.

Government Initiatives for Water Management

• National Water Policy (2012): A comprehensive framework for sustainable water resource management.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: A scheme aimed at improving irrigation efficiency.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain Campaign: A campaign to encourage community action for rainwater harvesting.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana: Focused on groundwater management and recharge.
• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): Aiming to provide safe drinking water to every household.
• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): Focused on cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga river.

Way Forward

Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)

• Holistic Framework: A coordinated approach for managing water resources across sectors, ensuring sustainable usage and ecological balance.

Promotion of Water-Efficient Agricultural Practices

• Sustainable Practices: Encouraging the use of water-efficient crops and micro-irrigation systems to reduce agricultural water consumption.

Strengthening Groundwater Regulation and Recharge

• Regulatory Frameworks: Implementing stronger regulations to prevent over-extraction and promote community-led groundwater recharge initiatives.

Revitalization of Water Bodies

• Restoration Efforts: Rejuvenating traditional water bodies to enhance water retention and recharge while preventing pollution.

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

• Planning for Extremes: Developing infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, integrating water resource planning into development efforts.

Effective Policy Implementation

• Strengthening Governance: Enhancing coordination among institutions and timely interventions for better water management.

Fostering International Cooperation

• Engagement in Shared Resources: Actively pursuing collaboration on transboundary water resources to ensure sustainable management.

Mains Question:

1. Discuss the significance of the India Water Week 2024 in addressing water management challenges in India and highlight the role of international cooperation in this context. (150 WORDS)