Introduction of National Water Policy

Introduction of National Water Policy

Water is a very basic need of life. It is the foundation for human development and survival. Through water conservation technologies, Sustainable and equitable use of water over millennia has been ensured. It also ensures cultural adaptation to water availability, agricultural systems and cropping patterns, adaptation to different climatic zones, and conservation-based lifestyles....

Importance for National Water Policy:

India has 17.8% of the world’s population. It is carried 4% of the world’s freshwater, out of which 80% is used in agriculture. India receives an average of 400 million hectares meters of rain and snowfall every year. Only 48% of surface and groundwater bodies are being used in India.  The dearth of storage procedures, lack of adequate infrastructure, and inappropriate water management have created such a situation. In India,  only 18-20% of the water is actually used. India’s annual rainfall is around 1184 mm, out of which 75% is received in a short span of four months during monsoon (from July to September). This results in runoffs during monsoon and calls for irrigation investments for the rest of the year. The population of India is likely to be 1.6 billion by 2050 and this will increase the demand for water, food, and energy. According to the report, it is said that at present India is the world’s largest extractor of groundwater. It is more than China and the US combined. Which is accounting for almost a quarter of the total extracted globally. Therefore, it will be essential to ensure food security for our emerging population and to eliminate poverty through proper water management policy....

Benefits and Potential in Promoting Water Uses in Agriculture:

The farmers love to cultivate wheat and rice. It is because of stable prices and assurance of the state’s purchases. It must be noted that those two staple crops along with other water consume crops such as sugar cane are grown in 40% of the country’s gross farmed area. But it consumes almost about 80% of its irrigation water. The National Water Policy 2020 has recommended and encouraged farmers to move away from growing rice and wheat to the Irrigation Water Fee, from Crop/Acreage/Season to Volumetric basis, Volumetric basis meaning. At present farmers pay a fixed amount, regardless of how much they consume. Therefore, It is expected that farmers will diversify to crops, other than water-intensive rice and wheat....