Water Crisis in India: Concept of Nexus-Regional Solution

Abstract

In India, which ranks first in the world in terms of population size in 2023, rapid technological and economic development is combined with an increased scarcity of natural resources, which is especially acute in the lack of water resources. Increase of water consumption (90% of water is consumed by irrigation and agriculture), growing competition for water resources from energy, industry, urbanization, etc. require a transition from sectoral water use management to management based on the concept of nexus (latin)–linkage between sectors. The central is Water–Energy–Food nexus which has been studied since the early 2010s. In developing the new National Water Policy of India, attention is focused on the development of the Water–Energy–Food production nexus. The article is based on a review of scientific publications, a critical analysis of forecasts and scenarios, and the use of statistical databases. The most acute problems of water availability and rationalization of its use are discussed at the state level and at the level of large river basins (project “Pure Ganges”). Technological and managerial decisions made in India aimed at rationalizing water use based on an unsophisticated approach are considered. A new driving force is the accelerated development of renewable energy sources. The problems of the Water–Energy–Food production nexus can be successfully solved only in the context of integral regional development, which becomes more complicated under the climate change.