Government Policies and Initiatives

Water scarcity is a growing problem that affects every continent, with poorer communities most badly affected. The United Nations estimates that over half of the global population faces water scarcity for one or more months of the year. 

Water scarcity can be caused by a variety of factors, including physical scarcity, economic scarcity, and inadequate water infrastructure. The attainment of water security is further complicated by environmental degradation, poor wastewater treatment, and growing demand. 

Let’s look at some data: - 

• The net amount of water that can be used in India in a year is estimated at 1,121 billion cubic meters (bcm). However, the data published by the Ministry of Water Resources shows that the total water demand will be 1,093 bcm in 2025 and 1,447 bcm in 2050. 
• This means that there will be a major water shortage in India within 10 years.
• As per the Falkenmark Water Index (used for measuring water scarcity throughout the world), wherever the amount of water available per capita is below 1,700 cubic meters in a year, there is water scarcity. 
• Going by this index, almost 76% of people are already living with water scarcity in India.

Governments around the world have recognized the importance of addressing water scarcity and have implemented policies and initiatives to combat it.

What steps have been taken up by the Government of India: - 

1. National Water Policy, 2012
2. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana 
3. Jal Shakti Abhiyan- Catch the Rain Campaign
4. Atal Bhujal Yojana
5. Per Drop More Crop

National Water Policy, 2012: -

The National Water Policy (NWP) 2012 is a sectoral document that governs the planning and development of water resources and their optimum utilization in India. The policy recognizes the importance of water as a scarce natural resource that is fundamental to life, livelihood, food security, and sustainable development. The policy aims to take cognizance of the existing situation and propose a framework for the creation of a system of laws and institutions and a plan of action with a unified national perspective. The policy emphasizes the need for equitable access to water for all and its fair pricing, for drinking and other uses such as sanitation, agricultural, and industrial. The policy recommends the establishment of a Water Regulatory Authority to ensure equitable and sustainable development for all. The policy also promotes traditional water conservation methods like rainwater harvesting, construction of check dams, and promoting recharging of underground water. The policy recognizes the importance of addressing water scarcity and has launched several initiatives to combat it, including the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water to every rural household by 2024, and the Atal Bhujal Yojana, a national groundwater program, to facilitate sustainable management of groundwater resources.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana: - 

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is a national mission launched in 2015 to improve farm productivity and ensure better utilization of resources in India. The scheme aims to expand cultivated areas with assured irrigation, reduce wastage of water, and improve water use efficiency. The scheme has the following components:

• Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)
• Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)
• Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
• Watershed Development (WD)
• Repair, Renovation, and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies
• Sustainable Water Management (SWM)

The scheme also promotes organic farming through the Pramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and encourages the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations. The government has also started a dedicated Kisan Channel by Doordarshan to address various issues concerning farmers. The scheme has allocated a budget of ₹53 billion (US$660 million) in a time span of one year 2015-2016 and an outlay of 50000 crore for the period of 5 years (2015-16 to 2019-20). The scheme aims to double farmers' income by 2022 and make India a powerhouse of sustainable agriculture.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan- Catch the Rain Campaign: - 

The Jal Shakti Abhiyan - Catch the Rain Campaign is a national mission launched in India to conserve rainwater and recharge groundwater. The campaign was launched in 2019 with the vision to involve everybody in preparing for the rains, so that we can store and use as much of the rainwater as possible and replenish our groundwater reserves. The campaign is being organized annually through the length and breadth of the country. The campaign has the following components: 

• Creating appropriate rainwater harvesting structures
• Enumerating all water bodies in the districts and removing encroachments
• Requesting all stakeholders to create rainwater harvesting structures
• Renovation of traditional water bodies
• Reuse and recharge structures

The campaign aims to turn conservation of water into a mass campaign in the run-up to the monsoon season. The theme of the campaign is "Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls." 

The campaign is being led and inspired by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. The campaign is being organized in mission mode, and corporates, media houses, educational institutions, and all stakeholders are coming together to make this campaign successful. The campaign is being organized annually to optimize water conservation and ensure equitable access to water for all. 

Atal Bhujal Yojana: - 

The Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti to improve groundwater management through community participation in seven states, including Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The scheme was launched in 2019 to commemorate former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 95th birthday. The scheme has two components: Institutional Strengthening & Capacity Building component (Rs. 1,400 crore) and Incentive Component (Rs. 4,600 crore) for incentivizing the States. The scheme aims to ensure long-term sustainability of groundwater resources in the country. The scheme's overall budget is Rs. 6000 crore, with a funding pattern of 50:50 between the Government of India and the World Bank. The scheme aims to improve groundwater management through community participation in identified priority areas in seven states. The implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts in these states. The scheme is an initiative for ensuring the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources in the country. 

Per Drop More Crop: - 

Per Drop More Crop is a scheme launched under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) to improve water use efficiency in agriculture and ensure "more crop per drop" of water. The scheme aims to promote efficient water management practices and technologies to enhance crop productivity and reduce wastage of water. The scheme has the following components:

• Micro-irrigation
• Watershed development
• Sustainable water conservation practices
• Crop alignment
• Extension activities

The scheme aims to cover 11 million hectares of farmland and benefit around 6.5 million farmers across the country. The scheme is being implemented in a phased manner, with priority given to water-stressed areas. The scheme is being implemented with the help of state governments, which are responsible for identifying and implementing the scheme's components. The scheme is expected to improve water use efficiency in agriculture, reduce wastage of water, and increase crop productivity. The scheme is also expected to contribute to the government's goal of doubling farmers' income by 2022. The scheme is an important step towards sustainable agriculture and water management in India.