Forget the global financial turmoil, the swine flu epidemic and the drought, India has a much bigger problem in store, namely a looming 'water crisis'. As reported on Bloomberg, satellite data has shown that groundwater is shrinking in some of India's driest areas. Curbing demand for water seems like the most obvious solution but how feasible is that given India's rising population? Huge wastage is not helping matters either. And what is more, three-quarters of the country's rivers, lakes and dams are contaminated by human and agricultural waste and industrial effluent.
So, the big question, we believe, is - If monsoons play erratic and the groundwater is declining, where will India get its water from? It is not that India does not understand the importance of water as the fight between states over distribution of water in the past has proven. But really, this precious resource has to be given its due consideration as is given to oil and stress has to be laid on conservation, reducing wastage and preventing contamination. Is the government up to the task? Looks more unlikely than likely.
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