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CHAPTER - VIII
SECTORAL DEMAND OF WATERAND
CHALLENGESAHEAD
No other natural resources were as badly managed as water in the last few
decades, at least in Indian context. Water is a scarce natural resource and
critical input for the survival of mankind, nay, the entire global system. Though
70% of the planet is covered by water, more than 97% occurs in oceans and
seas and only 0.3% is available as fresh water for human consumption. This
availability also varies in both space and time. It is estimated that total utilisable
water resources in India are 1123 BCM or 112 M ha m out of which surface
water resource is 690 BCM or 69 M ha m and that of groundwater resource is
433 BCM or 43.3 N ha m. Average per capita availability is 1720 m
3
. Due to
uneven distribution of water resources in the 20 river basins, the per capita
availability is already 500 - 1000 m
3
or less in a few basins showing water
stress. The situation may become critical in the coming decades with growth in
population and water demand. When the water availability falls below 1000 m
3
/
capita/year scarcity conditions develop and below 500 m
3
/capita/year water
shortage becomes primary constraint to life.
Requirement of water is the basic need for the following sectors :
1.
Irrigation/Agriculture
2.
Domestic
3.
Industry
4.
Power
5.
Inland Water supply
6.
Environment & Animal Husbandry
7.
Evaporation from the reservoir
Irrigation consumes more than 80% of water and is a major concern for the
government. Consumption of water for domestic and industry will increase with
the development and increase in the population.
