Do you know Maharashtra is one of those states in India which has always faced severe water crisis? The reason for this is its geographical location; it occupies the central and western part of the plateau region which receives less than the average annual rainfall. On top of that severe population explosion and industrialisation has aggravated the water situation in the state. This has exposed the fact that water is the fastest depleting natural resources on the earth right now.
Below is some of the data we have gathered on the recent shortage of water in Maharashtra.
Cities in Maharashtra which has been worst hit by this water crisis includes Latur, Aurangabad, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Nashik, Navi Mumbai and Kolhapur along with odd 1450 villages. The prevailing water crisis in Maharashtra is due to the flawed water management system and agricultural practices. The Department of Water Resources and Agriculture revealed that at least 70% of the sugar mills procure litres of water daily from dams and rivers, which is thoroughly illegal.
The situation has deteriorated so much in the last couple of days that only 50% of water is left in the dams. No doubt, this water crisis is solely a “man-made disaster”. Worst is the situation in Marathwada region where a meagre 13% of water storage is all that is left!
Unfortunately, the groundwater resources have depleted severely due to random and insensitive urbanisation program and to supply fresh water daily to the state’s huge urban population. Can you imagine? Pune, which is one of the fastest growing cities in Maharashtra, only 19% of the total water stock is left!
In order to tackle this water crisis, the state government under the initiative of CM Devendra Phadnavis has decided to undertake an all-inclusive urban policy to tackle the water crisis in the state. The elected representatives in a series of meetings have concluded that although it is very important to tackle the crisis of water in the rural areas keeping in mind the farmers; an equal emphasis must be given to managing the crisis faced by the urban population. The CM has advised the following:
- The state government has decided to conduct a water audit to check the misuse of water by the private sector.
- Rules will be formulated to make drip irrigation mandatory for the crops that require water.
- Vigilance on the amount of water consumed by the urban domestic households’ every day will also be checked. This may include a ban on the water themed park and “rain dance”!
A research undertaken by the State Health Department has pointed out that a fast depletion of groundwater will result in the outbreak of transmissible diseases. Moreover, they have expressed concerns that the people, especially the children are prone to suffer from water-borne diseases if they continue drinking water from the unclean tank.
The CM has urged the departments of urban development, water management, industries, and finance to develop an integrated water plan. For this project, the State Government has asked the Centre for giving them Rs.7500 Crores.
Urbanisation with a specific water solution plan is on the cards of the state government along with an eye on the sustainability and industrial development. Rainwater Harvesting is also in their plan to combat the crisis, but that will happen only when the monsoon will be merciful!
So, now you know why you need to conserve water!
