WATER SCARCITY IN RAJASTHAN: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS, MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES AND POLICY OPTIONS

Abstract

One of the key environmental and socio-economic issues affecting India today is water scarcity. As far as Rajasthan is concerned, the area has witnessed a lot of struggles associated with water scarcity due to its arid environment and complex relationship between humans and the environment. This paper analyses some of the issues that contribute to water scarcity by taking into account the environmental degradation, socio-economic impacts,historical irrigation infrastructure,groundwater conditions, and challenges in water management, due to water scarcity. For the purpose of this analysis, national level datasets such as Mission Antyodaya and SHRUG are used together with various reviews and literature. Qualitative results from the interviews conducted with factory workers residing in villages in Alwar district where there is a problem with water scarcity will be taken into account as well. In particular, there will be an analysis of detailed data concerning the irregularity of access to water resources in Rajasthan, depletion of underground water resources, lack of infrastructure in the area and other facts which justify water scarcity. Combination of traditional measures to conserve water and modern efforts made at the governmental level can help improve water management and water security in the area.