Water Budgeting for Sustainable Water Management
Water Availability Status in India
- India receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 3,880 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM).
- After accounting for evaporation and other losses, the average annual water availability is estimated at 1,999.20 BCM.
- The growing population is reducing per capita water availability while simultaneously increasing the pressure on water resources.
- India accounts for 17.5 percent of the global population and 11.6 percent of the global livestock population; this generates an extremely high demand for water.
The Growing Water Crisis
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- In rural areas, 80 to 90 percent of available water is utilized for agriculture.
- Declining groundwater levels, seasonal water scarcity, and water-related conflicts are on the rise.
- There is a need to shift the approach to water management from being ‘supply-centric’ to being ‘demand-centric.’
About Water Budgeting
- Water budgeting involves systematically assessing the water availability and demand within a specific village, watershed, block, or district.
- It compares:
- Inputs: Rainfall, surface water inflow, groundwater recharge.
- Outputs: Evaporation, surface runoff, groundwater extraction.
- It helps identify areas experiencing water surpluses and deficits.
- It supports resource-based water allocation and planning.
Significance of Water Budgeting
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- It facilitates the sustainable utilization of available water resources.
- Facilitates: Crop planning, groundwater management, drought preparedness, and flood management.
- Promotes efficient water allocation across agriculture, domestic use, livestock rearing, and industrial sectors.
Agriculture and Water Budgeting
- Irrigation demand is projected to reach 807 BCM by the year 2050.
- Supports:
- Selection of water-efficient crops.
- Optimal irrigation scheduling.
- Climate-resilient agriculture.
- bsupported initiatives demonstrate enhanced productivity through water-efficient crop cultivation methods.
Livestock and Water Demand
- The livestock population has increased from 512 million (2012) to 536 million (2019).
- The cattle population has increased by 18%.
- Water budgeting incorporates water requirements for the following: drinking, fodder production, and allied activities.
- Ensures balanced water allocation across different sectors.
Government Initiatives
- Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY)
- Launched in 2019.
- Implemented in 229 groundwater-stressed blocks across 7 states.
- Focuses on decentralized groundwater management at the Gram Panchayat (village council) level.
- National Water Mission (NWM)
- Recognizes water budgeting as a key component of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
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- Promotes water conservation and long-term water security.
- Encourages women’s participation in water governance through the ‘Nari Shakti Se Jal Shakti’ initiative.
Successful Social Models
- The Hiware Bazar Model (Maharashtra)
- Key Initiatives: Rainwater harvesting, Watershed development, Groundwater recharge, Annual Gram Sabha based water budgeting, Restrictions on borewells.
- Outcomes
- Water security was achieved despite low rainfall.
- It became a model for Maharashtra’s drought mitigation strategy.
- Rajasthan’s Chief Minister’s Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan (MJSA)
- Launched in 2016.
- Four-water-concept: Rainwater, Groundwater, Sub-surface water, and Soil moisture.
- Outcomes
- Groundwater levels increased by approximately 4%.
- Soil fertility and crop yields improved.
- Technology for Water Management
- Varuni Web App
- An Indo-German project titled “Water Security and Climate Adaptation in Rural India” (WASCA).
- Collaborating Agencies: Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Rural Development, NITI Aayog.
- Key Features
- Generates block-level water budgets.
- Utilizes data regarding rainfall, land use, cropping patterns, population, and water resources.
- Automatically identifies water-surplus and water-deficit areas.
- Supports local planning and intervention strategies.
- Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan
- Launched by the Government of Maharashtra in 2014.
- Key Features
- Geo-tagging and mobile-based monitoring.
- Focus on water conservation and groundwater recharge.
- Village-level water budgeting.
Importance of Water Budgeting
- Promotes demand-driven water management.
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- Supports climate resilience.
- Enhances groundwater sustainability.
- Encourages community participation.
- Increases agricultural productivity.
- Strengthens rural livelihoods.
- Enables evidence-based policy formulation.
