WATER SCARCITY IN INDIA: A MAJOR THREAT TO THE ECONOMY

Access to fresh water is one of the biggest environmental challenges of the 21st Century. According to World Health Organization 1.1 billion people lack access to clean drinking water. Nearby 2.7 billion people experience water scarcity at least one month out of the year. By 2025 it is expected that two-third of the world's population will be living in water stressed areas. The non accessibility to clean drinking water expose these vulnerable populations to deadly water borne illnesses such as diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid and every year it killing thousands of people in a developing country like India and affecting its human resource. The world population which is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 the increase in the demand for agricultural land and its produce which will further put stress on use of freshwater resources. India being the second most populous country in the world is about to face the brunt of this water crisis. With the passage of time the problem of water scarcity becomes the problem of existence of human being. In this situation any new discovery of fresh water resources will be a great relief and finding new reservoirs will be blessing for humanity. Apart from new discoveries there is a need for adopting and practicing water saving measures in all aspects of life and economy.