Effects of Water Scarcity


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Effects of Water Scarcity

Water Scarcity: Shortage of water as compared to its demand is known as water scarcity. This is a situation in which there is not enough water to meet all demands, including that needed for ecosystems to function effectively. However, water scarcity in most cases is caused by over-exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to water among different social groups. Though the average annual precipitation in India as a whole is 114 cm, the variation in seasonal and annual precipitation, with some areas like Western Rajasthan and Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir receiving less than 20 cm annually.

Causes of Water Scarcity: Water scarcity is the result of depletion of limited availability of fresh water. It may occur in regions having ample water sources, but suffer from unequal access. According to Falkenmark, a Swedish expert, water stress occurs when water availability is between 1000 and 1600 cubic metre per person per year.

A large Population:  Large population of India requires more food so agriculture is done on a large scale. This requires more water which reduces the supply of fresh water in wells and rivers. The states of Punjab and Haryana suffer from over utilization of water needed for agriculture.

Intensive Industrialization:  The increasing number of industries has made matters worse by exerting pressure on existing fresh water resources. Industries apart from being heavy users of water also require power to run them. Much of the energy comes from hydroelectric power. Now-a-days in India, hydroelectric power contributes approx. 22% of the total electricity produced.

Increasing Urbanization: It has increased pressure on fresh water resources, due to its requirement for domestic purposes as well as for industrial use. Emergences of urban centres with large and dense population and urban lifestyles have not only added to water requirements, but have further aggravated the problem. Most societies and colonies their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs with over-exploitation, this causes the depletion in several of these cities.

Sample Questions
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Question : 1

Where can we find water market in India?

Right Option : B
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