Chapter 3 · Question 1
What causes water scarcity even in areas with good rainfall?
Answer
Direct Answer
Water scarcity can occur despite rainfall because of overuse, unequal access, seasonal variation, pollution, urbanisation, industrial demand, and inefficient irrigation. A region may have water but still face scarcity if the available water is polluted or poorly managed.
Simple Explanation
Even with good rainfall, overuse, pollution, seasonal variation, urban growth, industrial use, and poor water management can create scarcity.
Exam-Ready Structure
Water scarcity can occur in areas with adequate rainfall due to several factors:
• Overuse: Excessive extraction of groundwater for agriculture, industry, and domestic use lowers the water table faster than it can recharge.
• Unequal access: Water distribution may favour some users (industries, large farmers) while others (small farmers, poor communities) face shortage.
• Seasonal variation: Rainfall is concentrated in a few months. During dry months, even high-rainfall regions can face water stress.
• Pollution: Industrial effluents, agricultural chemicals, and untreated sewage contaminate rivers, lakes, and groundwater, making water unsafe for use.
• Urbanisation: Growing cities increase demand and reduce natural recharge by covering land with concrete and asphalt.
• Industrial demand: Industries consume large volumes of water and often discharge waste into water sources.
• Inefficient irrigation: Flood irrigation wastes large amounts of water through evaporation and runoff.
• Poor management: Leaking pipes, lack of rainwater harvesting, and inadequate storage mean available water is not used efficiently.
In short, scarcity is often a problem of quality and management, not just quantity of rainfall.
Key Points
- Water scarcity can occur despite rainfall because of overuse, unequal access, seasonal variation, pollution, urbanisation, industrial demand, and inefficient irrigation.
- A region may have water but still face scarcity if the available water is polluted or poorly managed.
Answer Sources
- Water scarcity and water stresstextbook section | Contemporary India-II | Water Resources | Water scarcity and the need for conservation | Pages 1-2