UPSC GS Paper-1: Q:5- Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources?

Ashutosh Bansal September 30, 2023 02:26 6914 0

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

UPSC GS Paper-1: Q:5- Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources?

Q.5 Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources?

How to approach the question

Introduction:

  • Start with a brief introduction highlighting the global freshwater crisis, emphasizing its importance for human needs and ecological stability.

Body:

  • Organize reasons behind the crisis into two categories: “Availability” and “Access,” using clear subheadings.
  • Support each point with specific examples and statistics to illustrate the severity of the issues.

Proposed Solutions:

  • List and briefly explain key solutions, citing successful initiatives from different parts of the world.

Conclusion:

  • Summarize the urgency of addressing the freshwater crisis and highlight the interconnectedness of freshwater availability and access with global well-being.

Introduction

Freshwater resources encompass naturally occurring low-salt water sources like rivers, lakes, groundwater, and glaciers, serving vital human needs such as drinking, irrigation, industry, and ecological stability. Yet, in the present world, about 1.1 billion lack consistent access to clean drinking water, and roughly 2.7 billion grapples with recurring water scarcity, vividly highlighting the crisis in freshwater availability and access.

Body

Reasons Behind the Crisis of Availability of Freshwater Resources:

  • Growing Demand vs. Limited Supply: The world’s population is on a continuous rise, with projections indicating an increase of nearly 2 billion people over the next 30 years, leading to a surge in demand for freshwater resources, while the available supply remains relatively constant.
  • Climate Change and Altered Precipitation Patterns: Climate change is causing shifts in weather patterns, leading to unpredictable rainfall and prolonged droughts in certain regions. This disrupts the natural replenishment of freshwater sources. For instance, in August 2023, India experienced an extraordinary shortfall in rainfall, amounting to 36% below the normal levels.
  • Over-Extraction and Depletion of Aquifers: Many regions are over-pumping groundwater faster than it can be naturally replenished, leading to the depletion of aquifers, which are critical sources of freshwater. For instance, if current patterns persist, it is projected that approximately 60% of India’s aquifers will be in a critical state within the next two decades.
  • Pollution and Contamination: Industrial, agricultural, and domestic activities release pollutants into freshwater sources, making them unsuitable for consumption and other critical uses. The World Bank reports that over 80% of wastewater in developing countries is discharged into rivers and lakes without treatment, leading to pollution.
  • Inefficient Water Management: Inadequate infrastructure for water storage, treatment, and distribution, as well as wasteful irrigation practices, contribute to the inefficient use of available freshwater resources. An improperly maintained and operated automatic landscape irrigation system in a household has the potential to squander approximately 25,000 gallons of water each year.

Reasons Behind the Crisis of Access to Freshwater Resources:

  • Inadequate Infrastructure: Many regions lack the necessary infrastructure to provide freshwater to their populations, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. For example, even though the Democratic Republic of Congo possesses 50% of Africa’s water resources, it lacks access to potable water.
  • Economic Disparities: In many parts of the world, low-income communities struggle to afford the cost of water services. For instance, in urban slums of Mumbai, India, thousands of families are forced to rely on limited and often contaminated water sources due to the high price of clean water.
  • Political and Social Conflicts: Disputes over water rights, both within countries and between neighboring nations, can lead to restricted access to shared water resources, as exemplified by the ongoing conflict between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River.
  • Natural Disasters and Conflicts: Natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, and conflicts can disrupt water infrastructure, leading to restricted access to freshwater.
  • Lack of Education and Awareness: Limited understanding of water hygiene and conservation practices hinder efforts to improve access to fresh water in certain communities.

Proposed Solutions:

  • Sustainable Water Management: Implement sustainable water management practices, including watershed protection, efficient water allocation, and integrated water resource management as exemplified by Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
  • Efficient Agricultural Irrigation: Implement precision irrigation techniques and smart farming practices, such as Israel’s use of drip irrigation to maximize crop yields with minimal water usage.
  • Improved Infrastructure: Invest in modern water infrastructure, including maintenance and expansion, akin to India’s Jal Jeevan Mission, which upgrades water supply systems in rural areas.
  • Upgraded Water Treatment Plants: Upgrade and expand water treatment facilities, like Singapore’s NEWater program, which reclaims and purifies wastewater for freshwater supply.
  • Community Rainwater Collection Systems: Establish community-based rainwater harvesting systems, as exemplified by the Rainwater Harvesting in Kenya.
  • Solar-Powered Desalination:  Invest in solar-powered desalination in arid coastal areas, as seen in Saudi Arabia’s use of solar energy for large-scale desalination.
  • Water-Efficiency Education Programs: Develop and promote educational initiatives for water-efficient behaviors, such as California’s Save Our Water campaign, which raises awareness and educates on water-saving practices.

Conclusion

The urgency of addressing the crisis of availability and access to freshwater cannot be overstated, considering the vital role of freshwater in sustaining life, ecosystems, and socio-economic development. By implementing the proposed solutions and fostering collaboration among nations and communities, we can strive for a future where clean and accessible freshwater is available to all, thereby ensuring the well-being and sustainability of our planet.

 

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-01 Mains question 2023, click here.

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-02 Mains question 2023, click here.

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-03 Mains question 2023, click here.

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-04 Mains question 2023, click here.

 

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