Country Strategic Roadmap: India 2024–2030 (Driving Action - Propelling Change)

Country: India

Source: International Water Management Institute

Please refer to the attached file.

1. Context

India is the largest democracy in the world and supports 16% and 17% of the world’s human and livestock population, respectively, with just 4.25% and 2% of the world’s freshwater and land resources, respectively. Although India has become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, there is a growing concern that water scarcity will become a binding constraint on its development. A 3.5-fold increase in population during the last six decades has made India one of the most water-scarce countries globally. Water availability is down from 5300 m3 in 1951 to about 1400 m3/ capita/year at present, barely sufficient to sustain economic growth and support human well-being. Water availability is projected to decline to 1340 m3 by 2025 and further still to 1140 m3 by 2050. In 2013, the World Resources Institute declared India among the world’s 50 most water-stressed countries (Luck et al. 2015). The increased water needs for drinking, domestic use, energy, and industrial sectors due to economic development and urbanization are contributing to this decline. However, the main use of freshwater in India is for irrigation, accounting for approximately 80% of the total (Figures 1 and 2). It is expected to further increase to meet the demands of a growing population, as assessed by the National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development. Tackling the issue of water security in India will entail tackling the following key challenges for the country. ...