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Home--News
Water Crisis in Rajasthan to Force Migration, Says Study
Anindo Dey
Times News Network
May 19, 2010
JAIPUR: In a few years time, the per capita availability of water
in Rajasthan will reach the absolute scarcity level, triggering gradual
migration of people to other areas where usable water is available
in sufficient quantity. This was the conclusion of a study conducted
by the state government and presented at a national seminar on water
auditing at Rajasthan University on Tuesday.
"Currently, the per capita water available in the state is around
650 cubic metres. In few years, the availability will reach the absolute
scarcity mark of 500 cubic metres. Previous studies have shown that
migration begins at this mark," said Ram Lubhaya, principal secretary,
water resources, who presented the study at the seminar.
"As per internationally accepted norms, a person needs 2,000 cubic
metres of water per year. However, life can go on even at 1,000 cubic
metres. But in Rajasthan we are already at 650 cubic metres mark,"
he said.
In fact, the state has been overdependent on groundwater for the past
three years after the rains proved elusive. Though the state has recently
framed a water policy, it seems to be a case of too little, too late.
"Currently, the state has nearly 16.05 billion cubic metres (BCM)
of surface water, while it gets 17.89 BCM from inter-state agreements,"
Lubhaya said.
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