Water resources in India
Other than rains, the melting of snow over the Himalayas after the winter season feeds the northern rivers to varying degrees.
India harnessed 761 cubic kilometres (183 cu mi) (20 percent) of its water resources in 2010, part of which came from unsustainable use of groundwater.
[1] Vast area of India is under a tropical climate which is conducive throughout the year for agriculture due to favorable warm and sunny conditions provided perennial water supply is available to cater to the high rate of evapotranspiration from the cultivated land.
Shade nets or polytunnels installed over the agricultural lands suitable for all weather conditions would reduce the potential evaporation drastically by reflecting the excessive and harmful sun light without falling on the cropped area.
The northeastern region of the country receives heavy precipitation, in comparison with the northwestern, western and southern parts.
[12] Dependence on erratic rains and lack of irrigation water supply regionally leads to crop failures and farmer suicides.
[14] India also relies excessively on groundwater resources, which accounts for over 50 percent of the irrigated area with 20 million tube wells installed.
[15] The important dams (59 nos) have an aggregate gross storage capacity of 170 billion cubic metres (6.0×10^12 cu ft).
The end of the era of massive expansion in groundwater use is going to demand greater reliance on surface water supply systems.
The hydropower potential keeps on varying depending on technological developments including alternate power sources, priorities and limitations.
Pumped-storage hydroelectricity potential can also be created economically by constructing embankment canals associated with freshwater coastal reservoirs while harnessing the water resources for various needs.
[24] At the same time, local government institutions in charge of operating and maintaining the infrastructure are seen as weak and lack the financial resources to carry out their functions.
In addition, no major city in India is known to have a continuous water supply[26] and an estimated 72% of Indians still lack access to improved sanitation facilities.
[32] In northeastern states high acidic nature of soils due to excessive rainfall is effecting the agriculture productivity.
There is intense competition for the water available in the inter-state rivers such as Kavery, Krishna, Godavari, Vamsadhara, Mandovi, Ravi-Beas-Sutlez, Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi, etc.
[39] Vast area of the Indian subcontinent is under tropical climate which is conducive for agriculture due to favorable warm and sunny conditions provided perennial water supply is available to cater to the high rate of evapotranspiration from the cultivated land.
There is intense competition for the water available in the inter-state rivers such as Kavery, Krishna, Godavari, Vamsadhara, Mandovi, Ravi-Beas-Sutlez, Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi, etc.
All river basins face severe water shortages even for the drinking needs of people, cattle, and wildlife during the intense summer season when the rainfall is negligible.
