We know that water is necessary, both for sustainable human development and for the healthy functioning of the planet’s ecosystem. Availability of freshwater globally however, is limited. Out of the 2.7 per cent of a total amount of 1 400 million km3... moreWe know that water is necessary, both for sustainable human development and for the healthy functioning of the planet’s ecosystem. Availability of freshwater globally however, is limited. Out of the 2.7 per cent of a total amount of 1 400 million km3 of freshwater, the major portion occurs in the form of permanent snow cover or deep aquifers and only a small fraction is available for use.
India’s population of about 1 billion (2001 census) is expected to stabilize at about 1.6 billion by 2050. This would require some 450 million tones of food grain annually. The basic needs for water of rural and urban populations and cattle, as well as industry and environment and ecological management, also have to be met, taking into account land-use policies, degradation of water resources, depletion of aquifers, etc.
To this end, long-term planning of the utilization of the country’s water resources is required to meet the various competing demands on a sustainable basis.
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