Action Plan

River linking and properly planned irrigation systems with suitably designed water ways for water transport and even development of underdeveloped areas all incorporated therein is what should be taken- up as an urgent and essential projects. ( See –‘Grand Irrigation & power Systems”)

Extensive re-forestation is an urgent and primary requirement. The ‘Rally for Rivers’ programme and other such programmes in many parts of the country need to be encouraged and undertaken all across the Country. Also, it can be seen from the above metrics that even a saving of 50 percent of the water used for Agriculture by resorting to proper water conservation and efficient practices would increase the fresh water availability for Domestic and Drinking application by over 5 times. Proper selection of crops and better Industrial practices would provide even greater benefits. We should aim for ‘more crop per drop’ and also, practice Computer and Drone assisted precision agriculture. Corporatization/ Industrialization of Agriculture will enable better and more efficient farming. (See –“Agricultural Reforms – “Krishi Jagruti” Scheme – Own your Farm as a Share Holder”).Reviving traditional crops, such as pulses and millets, fruits and vegetables will also, greatly reduce water usage and also, improve health for all.

Supply of water should be at a practical and reasonable cost. ‘Free’ leads to wasteful use and finally becomes too costly. Even use of ground water should carry a cost/charge. Free supply of electricity encourages greater and inefficient use of underground water and leads to depletion of the aquifers therein. We should learn from countries such as Israel which do not offer Water or Electricity for ‘Free’ and also, recycle all water.

Conservation of water by practices such as rain-water harvesting (especially in urban areas), check dams and ponds in agricultural areas, water recycling in both urban and industrial areas, will all greatly improve the availability of water and will also, help in conserving the soil cover.

Terrace gardens can replace backyard gardens of older days and provide organic foods with lesser water consumption.

The water consumed to provide food should be properly taken into account for understanding where further conservative efforts can be made and the real cost of the foods, in addition to the miles it has to be conveyed over when transporting it, within the Country or exporting it. A proper diet, giving preference to locally grown foods would be one good step in such efforts.

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