Water Vision 2047 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• As part of India's plan for 2047, the Prime Minister has emphasized the "5P" mantra for water security, which includes political will, public financing, partnerships, public participation, and persuasion for sustainability.
• The water sector in India will play a crucial role in achieving the country's goals for the future. To further this action plan, the Ministry of Jal Shakti organized the "1st All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water" in Bhopal with the theme "Water Vision@2047".
• The primary goal of the two-day conference was to gather input from various water stakeholders in the states, as water is a state subject, to improve engagement and partnership with the states, and to share the Ministry of Jal Shakti's initiatives and schemes.
• The conference included five thematic sessions on topics such as water security, water use efficiency, water governance, climate change resilient water infrastructure, and water quality. The thematic sessions were designed to work towards the bigger vision of making India a developed nation by 2047.

How to manage water available?

• It is important for the Centre, states, people, and all stakeholders to take action in managing the available water. There is a need for vigorous programs on water efficiency similar to those on energy efficiency. Coordination among users for aquifers is essential, and laws and contracts for sharing of aquifers should be established.
• Groundwater mapping has already begun in India. A River Basin Authority should be established to share information among states since most of the rivers in India pass through different states, with the aim of conserving them. At the village level, water management can be decentralized and handled at the community level. 
• Charging money for efficient use of water, similar to electricity, could be considered. Changing the cropping pattern, diversifying crops, and promoting water use efficiency in agriculture by moving towards food crops instead of cash crops can also be helpful. Coordinated efforts among states for managing groundwater at a localized level and promoting rainwater harvesting and check dams are also encouraged.

Challenges faced

• There are several challenges in the rural drinking water service delivery, where source sustainability measures for groundwater are insufficient. To address this, the proposed mission will mandate taking such measures before distributing water to households.
• The traditional approach to service delivery has been primarily focused on engineering solutions planned and executed by the public health and engineering departments. 
• However, water management is an ideal sector for the principle of subsidiarity, where tasks are performed only at the most immediate or local level.

Way Forward

• To manage water effectively, there is a need for an extensive information, education, and communication campaign to create public awareness and participation. A comprehensive program for water efficiency similar to energy efficiency is needed, with standards for water management, and minimal pollution in both urban areas and industry.
• To fix the water crisis, a balanced policy, meticulous strategy, and public participation are required. To reduce water consumption in water-stressed regions, there should be a shift away from water-intensive crops like sugarcane. India's Central Ground Water Board and Central Water Commission need restructuring to create a modern 21st-century management authority. Finally, the right to water should prioritize the availability of safe drinking water for all.

Conclusion

The Water Vision 2047 initiative will play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for our citizens and fulfilling their aspirations for a modern India.