Sustainable Rainwater Harvesting in India: A Key to Water Crisis

Introduction

If we study the last 100 years of human evolution, we will find that India's population has increased from 240 million to 1.44 billion and the world's population has rapidly increased from 1.6 billion to approximately 8.2 billion. But the natural resources are still there. They are decreasing further. People's needs are increasing but resources are limited. In such a situation, water plays a vital role in our lives, not only for humans but also for animals, birds, and the environment. As we know very small percentage of water is available for human consumption. India is the world’s most populated country with over 1.44 billion which is 18% of the world's population and has access to only 4% of global water resources. Annual renewable water resources in India are more than 1,100 BCM but due to population and agricultural demands, there is always a severe water crisis. So, we need to conserve water, and rainwater conservation is one of the best ways to conserve water.

The ground reality of water in India

Today, India and the world are facing climate change and the water crisis is one of the main reasons for it. So, the impact of water conservation on a sustainable environment cannot be ignored. India is facing a severe groundwater crisis as it is the largest consumer of groundwater in the world, with about 85% of rural drinking water and 65% of irrigation needs dependent on it. But groundwater is not so good for irrigation because many toxic elements like As, Cd, Hg, Zn, etc are to be found. Major parts of fresh water are mainly used for agricultural purposes. Major cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai are at risk of groundwater depletion, which will impact livelihoods, agriculture, and ecosystems. Groundwater is a very limited resource so instead of groundwater, rainwater is more sustainable.

Agriculture at Risk

For agricultural purposes, more than 60% of land is used in India. Water is a basic and important need for agriculture. But due to the water crisis agriculture is deeply affected. Farmers have been dependent on rain for centuries, but due to irregular rainfall, crops do not get water at the right time. Farmers have been dependent on rain for centuries, but due to irregular rains, crops do not get water at the right time and the result is that crops fail. Both the monthly earnings and crops of the farmers are destroyed, due to which they have to face financial and mental crises, and in such a situation some farmers even commit suicide. According to NCRB data released on 4th December 2023, 11,290 suicide cases were reported from across the country. That is why rainwater harvesting is a good solution to solve the water problem and make farmers happy.

Rainwater harvesting

Rainwater harvesting sounds like collecting and storing rainwater for later use. Especially in a country like India, where water demand often exceeds its availability, rainwater harvesting has emerged as an important solution to overcome water scarcity. From various surfaces and platforms where we can store water for future use. Rainwater harvesting is an effective method for water conservation. It is toxic-free because there are no toxic materials found in it that could cause harm to anyone.

Methods of Rainwater harvesting

• 1 - Surface runoff harvesting-: In urban areas, we generally collect rainwater from rooftops, roads, and open spaces through drains and store it in tanks or reservoirs. This method also helps in reducing waterlogging while conserving water for domestic use.
• 2 - Rooftop rainwater harvesting-: Rooftop system captures rainwater from the roof and directs it into storage tanks or recharge pits. It consists of a catchment area (roof), gutters, filters, a storage tank, and a pump. It is a widely adopted method in cities and rural areas for both drinking water and irrigation needs.
• 3 - Percolation and check dams-: This large-scale harvesting method is used to capture and store rainwater from ground surfaces such as driveways, gardens, and parks. Percolation tanks and check dams help conserve rainwater by promoting groundwater recharge through controlled water infiltration. Percolation tanks prevent runoff, while check dams reduce water velocity, prevent soil erosion, and aid water absorption.

The government of India’s National Groundwater Program, supported by the World Bank through the ‘Atal Bhujal Yojna’ (2020), promotes groundwater recharge by encouraging community-led management. ‘Jay Shakti Abhiyan’ (2019) which is focused on rainwater harvesting and watershed management.

Saving water is important for us and to save it, government bodies and state authorities should work on it like making big tanks and ponds and using them for rainwater harvesting at the right time. If the crop is good, it is obvious that the farmers will be happy and if the farmers are happy then the cases of suicide will be less. By taking small steps and collaborating with these initiatives, you can make a positive change in water conservation and cultivation in the field of agriculture.