India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity.

1. North and south Excessive groundwater extraction in North is leading to lowering of groundwater table

2. Urban and rural Urban floods, disappearing of urban lakes, pollution of rural bodies, water usage in rural agriculture.

3. Gender inequality : women are worst effected due to water scarcity in terms of collection, sanitation etc

Contributing factors

1. Unscientific use of water ex: excessive irrigation
2. Climate change droughts, floods.
3. pollution of water bodies making unsuitable for usage
4. lack of interest in following conservation methods like Rain water harvesting
5. Deforestation, land degradation and soil erosion

Multi dimensional implications:

1. On agriculture → may lead to droughts, food insecurity
2. Urban areas → floods → Droughts
3. health → Dehydration and cause pollution related disorder like Cholera, malaria (breeding grounds for mosquitos etc)
4. women → menstruation problems → extra burden of carrying water
5. Industries → stress on industries which are water intensive like paper, thermal etc.

Solutions needed :

1. To adopt sustainable water conservation strategy
2. Interlinking of rivers to provide water from surplus to deficient areas.
3. Awareness on pollution control and scientific usage
4. Incentives to encourage water