Question

An area is believed to be water stressed when annual water supplies drop below 1700 cubic metres per person per year. As per an analysis, we are already surviving with around 1700-1800 cubic metres per year. As our demand for water has increased drastically over the years, per capita water availability has taken a beating.Based on the given table, write an analytical paragraph, in about 120 words, analyzing the possible causes of water scarcity in the future.

Year	Population (Million)	Per capita water availability (m³/year)
1951	361	5177
1955	395	4732
1991	846	2209
2001	1027	1820
2025	1394	1341
2050	1640	1140

Answer 1

The analysis of the water availability trend in India indicates a serious decline in per capita water availability. In 1951, the country had a relatively high per capita availability of 5177 cubic metres of water. However, as the population grew rapidly, this number decreased substantially over the decades. By 1991, it had dropped to 2209 cubic metres per person, and by 2001, it had further reduced to 1820 cubic metres. The most alarming projection shows that by 2050, per capita water availability will be as low as 1140 cubic metres per person. This steep decline in water availability can be attributed to various factors such as increasing population, rapid urbanization, and rising demand for water in agriculture, industries, and daily consumption. Additionally, the depletion of natural water sources, poor water management, and climate change are exacerbating the situation. If the current trends continue, the country could face severe water stress in the coming decades.