Biggest Problem for India - Will there be enough Water for Population?Solutions?

[goldieg]

Would like to know fellow readers opinion about Water problems in India and how do we solve it? This is my biggest fear of R2I. Has any of you thought about it? If yes tan how do you coop with that Issue? I can live with Pollution, bad infrastructure and Electricity cuts but without Water, Life is impossible.

[Janu2010]

Would like to know fellow readers opinion about Water problems in India and how do we solve it? This is my biggest fear of R2I. Has any of you thought about it? If yes tan how do you coop with that Issue? I can live with Pollution, bad infrastructure and Electricity cuts but without Water, Life is impossible.

Don't worry too much. In the long run everybody will be dead. You can't plan for everything. Nature will take care. We are not the General Managers of the Universe.

[scotchlvr]

On a lighter note, now you know why need to R2I with USC :)

[stup123]

I have no doubt about the fact that WATER will be a major issue in India,in future

Mismanagement coupled with exploitation of ground water has already lowered the water table to alarming levels

On the side note,US sits on largest world's fresh water reserves

I remember hearing these warnings about water shortage in India from all intl radio stations transmitting in SW during early 90s

Cauvery delta is already barren..Pennar,Krishna are following suit
the water flow in each rivers has dwindled of late compared to a couple of decades..and with dams getting build left and right for netting money on contracts/kickbacks, the delts that are supposed to be cradles of civilization will be wiped out

[Manonwheels]

Good point and I am already working out plans for desalination plants in India.
Watch out when this firm goes public....

[Rajahindustani]

This is very much a matter of concern and their have been sporadic efforts on the part of government. A multi pronged approach is needed including the following.

Rainwater harvesting- do a net search on efforts in India and especially in Rajasthan

injection wells and recharging of aquifers- this is also being practiced in Jaipur

In coastal cities such as chennai , sea water desalination is now a priority. Similar potential exists for Vizag, Goa , Mumbai etc

Reuse and recycling of water is being practiced in some gated communities utlizing combination of activated sludge and membrane treatment.

But by far the largest and most important project is the interlining of rivers basin. While this is ambitious but surely it can transform India. I have been to confernces in Delhi where several speakers have expressed the need for such project and if not at a pan India level at least some regional linkages such as
the ken Betwa and the Chambal betwa linkages are vialble options.

The matter of most concern is that peninsular India is on a higher level than ganges basin and areas of the north.
Also their was an interse concern about receiding of Himalyan glaciers which turned out to be not so correct.

[dbs]

But by far the largest and most important project is the interlining of rivers basin. While this is ambitious but surely it can transform India.

Raja, agree with your entire post, except the highlighted part.
I do not understand the concept. I do understand that some sort of lining will prevent seepage of water into the ground, and will allow more water availability down stream. But I am not too sure of its efficacy. The water seeping into ground is not lost but becomes available in some other form elsewhere locally. This also prevents the subterrain from becoming too dry and crumbling. That is probably a good thing.

[sumachechi]

dbs
iam sure he meant interlinking of rivers!

[dbs]

That explains it. Thanks.

[R2IedMumbai2007]

If you can leave with pollution then do not worry. You can always get polluted water....