Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources?

GS 1
World Geography
2023
10 Marks

Freshwater constitutes only 2.5% of the total water on Earth, and less than 1% is easily accessible. Yet, demand for water has tripled in the last 50 years due to population growth, urbanisation, and industrialisation, leading to a freshwater crisis both in terms of availability and access.

Map of global water stress regions

Map of global water stress regions

Causes of the Freshwater Crisis

  1. Unequal Geographical Distribution

    • ~60% of global freshwater lies in just 10 countries (e.g., Brazil, Canada, Russia).
    • Water-stressed regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and western India face chronic shortages.
  2. Over-extraction of Groundwater

    • India is the largest extractor of groundwater—more than China and the US combined (World Bank).
    • Punjab’s water table is falling by >1 metre annually.
  3. Climate Change and Glacial Melt

    • Glaciers feeding rivers like Ganga, Yangtze, and Mekong are melting rapidly.
    • Erratic rainfall patterns cause prolonged droughts (e.g., Horn of Africa) and flash floods (e.g., Pakistan, 2022).
  4. Pollution of Water Bodies

    • Industrial waste, sewage, and agricultural runoff pollute rivers and lakes.
    • Yamuna and Citarum (Indonesia) are among the world’s most polluted rivers.
  5. Rapid Urbanisation and Infrastructure Deficits

    • Cities like Jakarta and Bangalore struggle with inadequate water supply and waste treatment.
    • Leakages and theft lead to 30–40% water loss in urban water systems.
  6. Population Growth and Rising Demand

    • Global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050.
    • Water demand may rise by 50% by 2030 (UN Water Report).
  7. Unsustainable Agriculture Practices

    • Agriculture consumes ~70% of global freshwater.
    • Flood irrigation and water-intensive crops (e.g., rice, sugarcane) deplete aquifers—seen in Maharashtra and Punjab.
  8. Transboundary Water Disputes

    • Rivers like Nile, Tigris-Euphrates, and Indus are shared by multiple countries.
    • Disputes over water allocation (e.g., India–Pakistan Indus Water Treaty) hamper equitable access.
  9. Weak Governance and Regulatory Gaps

    • Many countries lack Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM).
    • Poor implementation of policies like Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 in India.

The freshwater crisis reflects a complex interplay of natural and anthropogenic factors. A sustainable way forward involves efficient water management, pollution control, equitable sharing, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

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