Water-An Indispensable Resource

Water is a finite and irreplaceable resource that is fundamental to human well-being. It is indispensable for the existence of animal and plant eco-systems and is an essential element in the development of economic activities of any nation.

- DR. BANARSI LAL

It is the most vital resource for the existence of life on earth. No other natural resource is having such an overwhelming influence. Earth three-fourths surface is covered by the oceans. Freshwater constitutes a very small proportion of this enormous quantity; About 2.7 per cent of the total water available on the earth is fresh water of which 75.2 per cent lies frozen in Polar Regions and another 22.6 per cent is present as ground water. Rest of water is available in rivers, lakes, atmosphere water and soil and vegetation. India is having 2.4 per cent of the world’s geographical area, 4 per cent of the world's water resources and 17.7 per cent of the world's population. It has been observed that less than one per cent of the world's fresh water on earth is readily available for human consumption. As the human population grows, the demand on fresh-water resources will also grow. Presently the world is facing a freshwater crisis. If per-capita consumption of water resource continues to rise at its current rate, humankind could be using over 90 per cent of all avail-able freshwater within 25 years leaving just 10 per cent for the rest of the world's species. The availability of water is falling overtime and water crisis is the fifth highest risk to the society according to the 2020 edition of the World Economic Forum's Global Risk report. Valuing the multiple uses of water from agriculture to power generation, domestic use, industry, fisheries, ecosystem and livelihoods can help to transform this looming crisis into an opportunity for advancing cr