Article
Ending India’s Water Stress: The Road Ahead

By : Heena Samant

Page No: 215-231

Abstract
India is facing water distress in both quality and quantity. This is expected to worsen if urgent all-round remedial measures being taken prove to be inadequate. Water shortages, pollution, overuse and significant wastage, low to no water pricing, floods in monsoon when water is abundant, among others, characterise the prevailing situation in parts of the country. Several factors, such as exponential population growth, rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, antiquated infrastructure, and inadequate water governance, can be credited for this plight. There are major reforms and changes underway that raise hopes for a more secure future. The Government has made ‘water governance’ one of the main priorities in its policies and decisions, and significant advances in overcoming water related challenges are being made. Despite these measures, a crisis could still be inevitable due to the challenges posed by climate change. India needs to make its people conscious of the finite nature of water and the utmost need to avoid waste and overuse. They need to learn to nurture, conserve, reuse, and recycle this invaluable resource of nature.

Author : 
Heena Samant is a Research Assistant with the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF). She pursues research on climate change and water security issues. She has done her M. Phil in Southeast Asian Studies and Master’s in Politics and International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.