Mohd Haris for BeyondHeadlines
Debate over privatization of water supply is burning nowadays. On contemplating present water problems it seems as an area of great concern. Many parts of India are yearning for water, but our stereotypes and prejudices toward the private companies do not let us make any reform in water supply chain. Notably, India has more than 17 percent of the world population, but has only 4 percent of world’s renewable water resources. Water is in a scarce situation and on the other hand, reforms are also being not made. Therefore, the question of well utilization and equal distribution of water is more complex in India. Recently govt. drafted a national water policy-2012 (DNWP) to deal with problems related to water and its efficient use.
United Nation’s ‘World Water Development report’ says that 70% of water is used in agricultural works, which is 44 percent in underdeveloped countries and reaches to a high amount of 90 percent in developed country. As per present data, India receives an average annual precipitation of about 4000 billion cubic meter (BCM). Of this, only about 1123 BCM is utilizable through the present strategies, if inter-basin transfers are not considered. Considerably, about two-third (about 70%) ground-water has been emptied, remaining is being polluted. This present situation of water is a wake-up call for govt. to accommodate developmental needs as soon as possible. Water has become a rare resource like other resources. Human beings, animals and plants depend upon it for their survival. To patch up this soon is a need of hour.
If there is water crisis, it is not because water is not available but because we are mismanaging it. It is reality, but our water supply institutions have aggravated this problem and even are not taking any concrete actions to deal with this. Idea of inter-linking rivers (ILR) is being imposed as a panacea by water supplier institutions in DNWP-2012 to alleviate water problems. But, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in New Delhi, a leading environmental organization, has been examining economic and ecological feasibility of the project and said “this is delicious idea where the water from flooded river basins can be diverted to dry river basins through canal and storages. While it may sound really good on paper, it is technically implausible”.
Idea of ILR would give the negative effects to the soil also because the nature of soil is decided by the water quality of rivers and if rivers inter-link, the quality of water will also be changed this lead to an adverse effect on agriculture’s quality. Federalism is also another constrain in the way of ILR, because any state is not agree to share its water to another state.
According to DNWP-2012 “over and above the pre-emptive uses for sustaining life and ecosystem, water needs to be treated as an economic good and therefore, may be priced to promote efficient use and maximizing value of water”. This decision by the government is commendable and should be promoted. The Indian Easements Act, 1882 may also have to be modified accordingly in as much as it appears to give proprietary rights to a land owner on groundwater under his/her land. Considerably, in 1951 per capita availability of water was 5177 cubic meter, which had been reduced to 1829 cubic meter in 2001. And studies show that it will be reduced to 1342 cubic meter by 2025. Per capita availability below 1000 cubic meter connotes a formidable situation. It arouses us toward profound and grim situations to be solved as soon as possible. Otherwise, further generation will have to pay for this in cost of their lives. At this time, the proposed step by the govt. to hike the price of water is excellent. It doesn’t mean that if water prices increase it would make a huge problem for present generation. But, increased price means less demand which is directly related with the economical use of water and reduction of its wastage. Albeit, if we can buy the petrol at the cost of Rs.70/litre. So, water can also be bought at slight high prices if it is giving benefit to another generation.
Now, the problem is to discern the solutions of this ‘manmade’ calamity to prevent next generation from any harsh situation by dissipating wastage of water and to confer the management of water supply to the institutions which can manage it effectively, whether it is a private institution or a public body. We should not put ourselves in ‘corporate Vs public’ intricacy, which is a major constraining in the way of every reform. And, other suitable policies should also be decreed by the govt. which can minimize this jeopardy and can secure a good future for further generation from any unforeseen grim situation related to water. It is being said that 3rd World War will be broken out over water. Let’s make efforts to avoid war for water.
