UPSC Mains Answer: Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenario.

Difficulty Level: Medium

Sub-category: Agriculture and Resource Management (GS-III)

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Introduction Water is the lifeblood of agriculture and economic growth, yet India faces severe depletion of its water resources due to over-extraction, inefficient use, and climate change. With over 60% of irrigation dependent on groundwater and aquifers depleting at alarming rates, urgent measures are required to improve water storage and irrigation systems for sustainable and judicious use.
Body 1. Revitalizing Traditional Water Storage Systems: India has a rich heritage of traditional water harvesting structures like ahars, kunds, baolis, and tankas. Reviving and modernizing these systems can enhance local water storage, recharge groundwater, and reduce dependency on monsoon variability. For instance, the Johad system in Rajasthan has successfully restored water tables through community participation.
2. Adoption of Modern Irrigation Techniques: Transitioning from flood irrigation to precision methods such as drip and sprinkler irrigation can reduce water wastage by up to 50%. Government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) must be accelerated, with subsidies and training for farmers to adopt micro-irrigation technologies.
3. Groundwater Management and Regulation: Enforcing the Model Groundwater (Sustainable Management) Act, 2017 is critical to regulate extraction, promote aquifer recharge, and penalize illegal borewells. Community-based groundwater management, as seen in Andhra Pradesh’s Neeru-Chettu program, should be scaled nationally.
4. Interlinking of Rivers and Watershed Development: Strategic interlinking of rivers, such as the Ken-Betwa Link Project, can redistribute water from surplus to deficit regions. Concurrently, watershed development programs under MGNREGA should focus on soil conservation, afforestation, and rainwater harvesting to improve water retention.
5. Policy and Behavioral Interventions: Mandating water audits for industries and agriculture, promoting water-efficient crops (e.g., millets), and incentivizing water recycling in urban areas are essential. Public awareness campaigns, like Jal Shakti Abhiyan, must emphasize water conservation as a civic duty.
Conclusion Improving water storage and irrigation systems demands a multi-pronged approach integrating traditional wisdom, modern technology, and robust policy enforcement. With climate change exacerbating water scarcity, India must act decisively to secure its water future, ensuring equitable access and sustainability for generations to come.