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Table indicates an estimate of requirement of water at year 2020, 2025 and
2050 at different sectors keeping 1997-98 as base year.[Source : Basu, P.K.,
2004]
Table 8.1 : Requirement of water in different sectors (In Km3)
It will be observed from the above able that maximum water requirement in
2050 will be 1180 Km3 or 118 M ha m as against the total availability of 112 M ha
m. Thus there will be shortage in the water in 2050, keeping in view the develop-
ment space. With a view to mitigate this we need to conserve water, resort to
waste water management and recycling water.
Conservation of Water
In India, one of the major problems in Irrigation sector is underutilization of most
of the irrigation systems entailing loss of water through seepage, over irrigation
etc. Government of India and State Governments are all aware of this problem
and aiming to bridge the gap by introduction of Farmers participation, CADA etc.
Rotational system of irrigation or 'wara bandi' is also introduced for better man-
agement of irrigation system. Consumptive use of surface and
groundwater is another step where either surface or groundwater to be used in
the same command area. Ideally, during dry period or when surface water can
not be released, groundwater can be used. Use of sprinkler, micro-sprinklers,
drip irrigation system conserve precious water. Artificial recharge can be
introduced with suitable structure for capturing excess surface water from
