Maharashtra's Water Crisis: A Multifaceted Challenge

Maharashtra, particularly the Marathwada region, is facing a severe water crisis due to deficient monsoons, exacerbated by geographical, agricultural, and policy factors.

Key Highlights

• Location: Marathwada lies in the rain-shadow region of the Western Ghats.
• Rainfall: While the western side of the Ghats receives heavy rainfall (2,000-4,000 mm), Marathwada gets much less (600-800 mm).
• Agricultural Practices: The region’s water crisis is intensified by the cultivation of water-intensive crops like sugarcane.
• Government Policies: Support for sugarcane cultivation has led to water mismanagement.

Reason Behind the Situation

• Rain-shadow Effect: Marathwada receives limited rainfall due to its position in the rain-shadow region of the Western Ghats. Moist winds lose most of their moisture after crossing the Ghats, leaving the area much drier.
• Climate Change: Studies indicate an increasing trend in drought severity and frequency in central Maharashtra, worsening the water crisis.
• Water-intensive Agriculture: Sugarcane cultivation, requiring 1,500-2,500 mm of water, is a major contributor to the water scarcity. Despite recommendations to ban sugarcane in low-rainfall areas, its cultivation has increased due to government support.
• Soil and Topography: The predominantly clayey black soil in Marathwada has a low infiltration rate, leading to poor groundwater recharge and high surface runoff.

Impact of the Water Crisis

• Drinking Water Shortage: Wells have run dry, and officials have had to provide drinking water through tankers.
• Agricultural Losses: Crop failure due to water scarcity affects farmers' livelihoods, leading to economic instability.
• Regional Disparities: Water scarcity is not uniform across Marathwada, with upland areas experiencing acute shortages compared to valleys with perennial groundwater.

Required Measures

• Supply-side Solutions: Implementing watershed management practices like building water-conserving structures (contour trenches, earthen bunds) and desilting water bodies can help manage available resources.
• Demand-side Solutions: Promoting water-efficient irrigation techniques, cultivating drought-resistant crops, and diversifying livelihoods can reduce water demand.
• Policy Shifts: Encouraging the cultivation of high-value, low-water-using crops and relocating sugarcane production to water-rich states can alleviate the water crisis.
• Government Intervention: Strengthening policies and providing targeted support to the most affected regions can enhance water resilience.

Mains Practice Question

Q. Analyze the multifaceted causes of Maharashtra's water crisis, with particular focus on Marathwada region. Suggest sustainable solutions that balance agricultural needs with water conservation.