The seasonal monsoon in India this year has so far been generous — with reports of heavy rain and floods in various parts of the country. However, the grim irony of the abundant rain is the acute water crisis that continues to grip the country. According to India’s Central Water Commission, major national reservoirs are 79 per cent empty and river basins are holding less water now than they have in the last 10 years. The Indian federal government confirmed to the Supreme Court in May that at least 330 million Indians had been impacted by drought, and the number could rise to millions more as several states were yet to submit their data.
It’s not that successive governments have been oblivious to the situation. From rushing emergency water trains to drought-hit districts to rolling out financial assistance to farmers following a spate of suicides, there has been no dearth of ad hoc action. Despite all that, many areas across the country find themselves in an Ancient Mariner-like situation.
Therefore, a coherent resource policy is needed, which would address not only water conservation but also related issues such as the resurrection of the forest ecosystem that forms the backbone of India’s rivers, and the creation of integrated projects to develop and protect India’s vast natural resources and the communities near them.
It’s a pity the National Commission on Farmers, better known as the Swaminathan Commission report — which recommended steps to mitigate farming and water crises — has been lying in the Indian parliament for 10 years without discussion. Alongside such expert recommendation, a long-term policy that enables diverse ministries such as water, infrastructure, power and human resources to work in a cohesive manner will surely help millions of Indians spending their days surrounded by water, but without a drop to drink.
