Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Disaster and Disaster Management.
Context
Bengaluru, the third most populated city in India, is experiencing the most severe drinking water shortage in its almost half a millennium existence.
Bengaluru Water Shortage
Introduction
Bengaluru, India’s third most populous city, is grappling with an escalating water crisis that has led to substantial shortages in many areas. Reports indicate that drought affects 223 out of 236 talukas in Karnataka, including Mandya and Mysuru districts, which are the primary sources of Bengaluru’s water. As the summer heat intensifies, approximately 7,082 villages throughout Karnataka are on the brink of a severe drinking water crisis in the forthcoming months. Once known as the “necklace of lakes,” Bengaluru is home to several significant lakes such as Dharmambudhi Lake, Shoolay Lake, Akkithimanhalli Lake, Sampangi Lake, Bellandur Lake, Hebbal Lake, Madiwala lake, Ulsoor lake, Lalbagh Lake, Agara Lake, and others. The city is also nourished by important rivers like Vrishabhavathi, Arkavathi, Dakshina Pinakini, Chinnar, Suvarnamukhi, Cauvery, and Netravathi.
Reasons for Water Shortage
- Reduced Rainfall and Empty Water Reservoirs: Bengaluru has experienced a decline in rainfall over the past few monsoons, severely affecting the Cauvery River, a crucial water source for the city. Lower river levels translate into less water available for drinking and agriculture. Karnataka has seen a 38% shortfall in north-east Monsoon showers from October to December and a 25% deficit in southwest monsoon rain from June to September. According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC), the water levels in Cauvery Basin reservoirs like Harangi, Hemavathi, and Kabini are at 39% of their total capacity as of 2024.
- Depletion of Groundwater Sources: The rapid urbanization of Bengaluru has led to the concretisation of natural landscapes that were once rainwater absorbents. This results in reduced groundwater recharge and increased surface runoff, leading to less water percolation. Residents depend on borewells to supplement the water supply. However, due to decreased rainfall and excessive extraction, groundwater levels are rapidly declining, causing many borewells to dry up.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: The city’s infrastructure, including water supply systems and sewage networks, has not kept pace with its rapid growth. This inadequacy exacerbates the challenges of distributing water efficiently to meet the demands of the expanding population. The anticipated completion of Phase-5 of the Cauvery project, designed to provide 110 litres of drinking water daily to 12 lakh people, is expected by May 2024.
- Climate Change: Changing weather patterns, including erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts, attributed to climate change, have reduced the availability of water in Bengaluru’s reservoirs and natural water bodies. The Indian Meteorological Department attributes the region’s poor rainfall to the El Niño phenomenon.
- Pollution of Water Bodies: Pollution from industrial discharge, untreated sewage, and solid waste dumping has contaminated water sources, rendering them unfit for consumption and further reducing the available water supply. A study conducted by the Environmental Management & Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) states that about 85% of Bengaluru’s water bodies are polluted by industrial effluents, sewage, and solid waste dumping.
- Mismanagement and Inequitable Distribution: Inefficient water management practices, including wastage, leakage, and unequal distribution of water resources, contribute to the severity of the water scarcity crisis, with some areas receiving inadequate or irregular water supply.
- Legal and Political Challenges: Disputes over water sharing between Karnataka and neighbouring states, particularly with regard to rivers like the Cauvery, further complicate efforts to manage and secure water resources for Bengaluru’s residents. There is an ongoing tussle between the central and state governments concerning the distribution and allocation of funds aimed at addressing the drought situation in Karnataka.
Efforts and initiatives
- Ban on Use of Drinking Water for Non-Essential Purposes: The Karnataka government has prohibited the use of drinking water for non-essential activities such as gardening.
- Water Supply from Adjoining Towns: The government has ordered the transportation of water in large tankers from neighbouring towns to Bengaluru.
- Budget Allocation for Borewells: A significant budget of Rs 131 crore has been allocated by civil bodies for drilling borewells in priority areas.
- Regulation of Water Prices: To regulate water prices, all private water tankers and borewells are required to register with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).
- Phase-5 of the Cauvery Project: In the 2024-2025 budget speech, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the commencement of Phase-5 of the Cauvery project by the BWSSB. The project aims to provide 110 litres of drinking water daily to 12 lakh people and is expected to be completed by May 2024.
- Karnataka Water Policy 2022: The Karnataka Water Policy 2022 suggested strategies such as recycling, reusing treated wastewater, rainwater harvesting, and industrial water use planning.
- India’s Commitment to Water Conservation: India was one of the first signatories to the First World Convention on Waterbodies and Conservation held in Ramsar, Iran in 1971, demonstrating its commitment to water conservation.
Government Schemes to tackle Groundwater Crisis in India
- MGNREGA for Water Conservation: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has been instrumental in driving water conservation efforts across rural India. It promotes the construction of water conservation structures like check dams and percolation tanks, enhancing water availability and preventing soil erosion.
- Jal Kranti Abhiyan: The Jal Kranti Abhiyan is a nationwide initiative launched in 2015 to conserve water and manage it efficiently. It aims to involve all stakeholders in water conservation and management, making it a mass movement.
- National Water Mission: The National Water Mission aims to conserve water, minimize wastage, and ensure equitable distribution across and within states. It focuses on increasing water use efficiency by 20% through regulatory mechanisms and differential entitlements.
- Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY): The Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) is a central sector scheme aimed at facilitating sustainable groundwater management with community participation. It emphasizes the formation of ‘Water User Associations’, water budgeting, and the preparation & implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans.
- Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)envisions providing safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India. It also implements source sustainability measures such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, and rainwater harvesting.
- National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is an integrated conservation mission aimed at the effective abatement of pollution and the conservation and rejuvenation of the National River Ganga.
Suggestions and the way forward
- Interlinking of Rivers: The concept of Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) proposes the connection of rivers, allowing for the transfer of water from surplus rivers and regions to those that are deficient, as a solution to water scarcity.
- Promotion of Water Conservation: It is vital to implement water conservation measures at individual, community, and national levels. This includes the promotion of rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation techniques, and the minimisation of water wastage in domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors.
- Investment in Infrastructure: There is a need to allocate sufficient financial resources for the development, maintenance, and rehabilitation of water infrastructure. Innovative financing mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, water tariffs, and user fees can be explored to mobilise funding for water projects.
- Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture: Farmers should be encouraged to adopt water-efficient farming practices such as drip irrigation, precision agriculture, crop rotation, and agroforestry. Incentives and subsidies for implementing water-saving technologies can facilitate this transition. According to the MS Swaminathan committee report on ‘More Crop and Income Per Drop of Water’ (2006), drip and sprinkler irrigation can save around 50% of water in crop cultivation and increase the yield of crops by 40-60%.
- Addressing Pollution: Efforts should be made to combat water pollution by enforcing strict regulations on industrial discharge, sewage treatment, and agricultural runoff. The implementation of wastewater treatment plants and the adoption of eco-friendly practices can help reduce pollution levels in rivers, lakes, and groundwater sources.
- Legislation and Governance: Water governance frameworks should be strengthened by enacting and enforcing water-related legislation, policies, and regulatory mechanisms. The establishment of local, regional, and national water management authorities can facilitate coordinated decision-making and implementation of water management strategies. Introducing minimum support policies for less water-intensive crops can reduce the pressure on agricultural water use.
- Community Participation: Community participation and rights in groundwater governance should be strengthened to improve groundwater management. World Bank projects for groundwater governance in peninsular India were successful on several fronts by implementing the Participatory Groundwater Management approach (PGM).
- Adoption of One Water Approach: The One Water Approach, also referred to as Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), recognises that all water, regardless of its source, has value. It advocates for the management of that source in an integrated, inclusive, and sustainable manner by including the community, business leaders, industries, farmers, conservationists, policymakers, academics, and others for ecological and economic benefits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bengaluru’s water crisis can be mitigated through a combination of innovative measures, infrastructure changes, and community involvement. The ‘Mattondu Cauvery’ vision document suggests that harvesting just 10% of rainwater could double the region’s water supply. Minor modifications to building codes could enhance groundwater recharge. The BWSSB has proposed innovative water management strategies, including the establishment of a Water Future Hub and a Water Centre. Emphasising people-centred planning, local water management, and the use of treated water can further alleviate the crisis. By rejuvenating lakes, enforcing dual piping in new constructions, and prioritising long-term sustainability, India can ensure safe and reliable groundwater access for all.
Related Article: Groundwater Crisis in India
Sources and References: Times of India | The Wire | Deccan Herald
Practice Question
Examine the causes and implications of the water crisis in Bengaluru, India’s third most populous city. Discuss the strategies and measures taken by the government and local bodies to address this issue. Evaluate the effectiveness of these measures and suggest innovative solutions for sustainable water management in the city. (250 words)
How to approach this Question?
Introduction:
- Begin by briefly introducing the issue of the water crisis in Bengaluru.
- Mention its status as India’s third most populous city and the significance of this issue in that context.
Body:
- Causes: Discuss the various causes of the water crisis, such as reduced rainfall, depletion of groundwater sources, inadequate infrastructure, climate change, pollution of water bodies, mismanagement and inequitable distribution, and legal and political challenges.
- Implications: Discuss the implications of the water crisis on the city’s population, economy, and environment.
- Government Measures: Discuss the strategies and measures taken by the government and local bodies to address the issue. This could include schemes like MGNREGA, Jal Kranti Abhiyan, National Water Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY), Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and others.
- Evaluation: Evaluate the effectiveness of these measures. Discuss their successes, failures, and areas of improvement.
Conclusion:
- Suggest innovative solutions for sustainable water management in the city. This could include promoting water conservation, investing in infrastructure, promoting sustainable agriculture, addressing pollution, strengthening legislation and governance, encouraging community participation, and adopting the One Water Approach.
- Conclude by emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue for the sustainable development of Bengaluru and the well-being of its residents.
Remember to provide a balanced answer, incorporating relevant facts and figures, and propose feasible solutions. Structure your answer well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, ensure that your answer is within the word limit specified for the exam. Good luck!