WORLD WATER DAY is observed on March 22 every year since 1993, but India is now facing water insecurity amid increasing population and reducing rainfall. It may be noted that India represents 21% of global population, but possesses only 4% of freshwater in the world, placing the country in the 13th most water-stressed country. By 2030, India will have a water deficit of 52% and nearly 42% of population will face extreme water stress as per a report from Asian Development Bank.
Water Stress in Manipur
In Manipur, acute water scarcity is more severe in hill districts, such as Ukhrul. Most of the water sources have dried up due to lack of vegetation in the upper reaches. Many villages in the hills are likely to shift down to the valley areas due to water crisis in the next few years. Hence, there is an urgent need to spread awareness on water conservation techniques.
To address the state’s water crisis, we need to conserve and protect our forests, spring-sheds, catchments and wetlands. The state does not have a long-term water plan like big dams and other water storage facilities for any eventualities. All the rivers in the region are rain fed. Without a snow fed river in the state, in events of scanty rainfall, the state will face severe calamity. As an impact of climate variation, the state is facing scanty rainfall.
Felling of trees in the catchments should immediately be stopped. Every new house should have rain water harvesting facilities. The authority should enhance installation for more water treatment facilities from all sources. Promoting ideas for making the best use of existing water supplies should also be the core initiative.
Manipur needs to have a sewage water treatment plant which may save around 200 million litres water annually from unnecessary waste. Without the source, implementing Jal Jeevan Mission will not solve the water problem.
Water and Gender
Having free access to freshwater is a basic human right. The theme for World Water Day 2026 is “Water and Gender,” with the slogan “Where water flows, equality grows”. The theme recognizes and emphasizes the critical role of women and girls in managing water resources and ensuring that gender equality is part of the global conversation on water and sanitation. Women are disproportionately affected by the water crisis and are critical to sustainable water management and decision-making. By involving women and girls in decision-making, we can build a sustainable future for water management, ultimately improving lives for all and future water crisis.
Water scarcity leads to every global problem right from food shortages, economies, international peace and even civil unrest. Globally, nearly two-thirds of the world’s population, experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year. By 2050, 5 billion people are expected to live with extremely high-water stress as the water demand will increase by 55% due to increase in population, manufacturing, thermal electricity and domestic use. Living with water stress, jeopardizes people’s lives, jobs, food and energy security.
Water has the power to unlock human resources. But the problem faced is its scarcity due to injudicious use. Without intervention, such as investment in water infrastructure and better water governance – water stress will continue to get worse, particularly in places with rapidly growing populations and economies.
Increasing water stress threatens countries’ economic growth and food security. Due to climate variation, world’s irrigated agriculture faces extreme high-water stress up to 84%, with a loss of water supplies in about 60% of those croplands -particularly rice, sugarcane, wheat and maize. Yet to feed a projected 10 billion people by 2050, the world will need to produce 56% more food calories than it did in 2010, all while dealing with increasing water stress as well as climate-driven disasters like droughts and floods.
Climate variation is expected to severely alter the quantity, quality and spatial distribution of global water resources. Warmer temperatures increase evaporation, change the moisture holding capacity in the air and alter rainfall patterns.
Without better water management, population growth, economic development and climate variation would worsen water stress.
According to the Global Commission on Adaptation, failing to implement better water management policies could result in GDP losses in India from 7% to 12% by 2050. In India, water shortages can lead to industrial interruptions, energy outages and agricultural production losses – like those already being seen, where lack of water to cool thermal power-plants between 2017 and 2021 resulted in 8.2 terawatt-hours in lost energy – or enough electricity to power 1.5 million Indian households for five years.
As global inequality worsens, more people will be unable to afford clean drinking water and now, we need water rights to prevent conflicts and water war.
Water Facts
All organisms contain water and depend on water for survival. Water is nature’s most precious gift. Water is central to grow crops and raise livestock, producing electricity, maintaining human health, fostering equitable societies and meeting the world’s climate goals.
Water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface. 96.5% of the planet’s water is saline and 3.5% are fresh water. Out of it, 1.7% is in groundwater, 1.7% in glaciers and ice caps.
Only 0.1% of the Earth’s water is available with us. Of this palatable, maximum is again in the lakes and rivers. Hence only a little fraction of water is available for us.
The human body contains about 70% water. To keep us healthy, we need about 3% of our body weight equivalent to 3 litres of water daily.
Water is necessary for digestion and absorption of food; helps maintain proper muscle tone; supplies oxygen and nutrients to the cells; rids the body of wastes; and serves as a natural air conditioning system.
Water bodies, Rivers and wetlands are among the world’s most productive ecosystems. In short, water is lifeblood for our planet.
(The author is an Environmentalist, presently working as District Forest Officer, Chandel district, Manipur. The views expressed are personal. The author can be reached at nmunall@yahoo.in.)
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