Page 2 - Water Scarcity
Bali's water crisis threatens local culture, food production, UNESCO sites
Far from Bali's beaches and hotels, farmer I Ketut Jata stands on a mountainside, staring at terraced land that is too dry to grow the rice his family has long relied on for food and income. It is no longer possible to work in the fields as a farmer," he says. Bali's water crisis is worsening from tourism development, population growth and water mismanagement, experts and environmental groups warn. Water shortages already are affecting UNESCO sites, wells, food production and Balinese culture and experts say the situation will deteriorate further if existing water control policies are not enforced across the island. A tropical, volcanic island in the center of Indonesia's archipelago, Bali relies on water from three main sources: crater lakes, rivers and shallow groundwater. A unique traditional irrigation system, called the subak, distributes water through a network of canals, dams and tunnels. The subak, made a UNESCO site in 2012, is central to Balinese culture, representing the
 "Bali's water crisis threatens local culture, food production, UNESCO sites")
79% households in Afghanistan suffer water shortage, shows survey
Drought and a scarcity of water have become a new difficulty for ordinary people to contend with in these challenging economic times
 "79% households in Afghanistan suffer water shortage, shows survey")
In India's water-stressed villages, Modi seeks a tap for every home
The ambitious project to meet a dire need shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strengths and helps explain his popularity despite a weakened economy
 "In India's water-stressed villages, Modi seeks a tap for every home")
By 2030 India may not meet half of its water demand, warns new book
In "Watershed: How We Destroyed India's Water and How We Can Save It", Mridula Ramesh lays bare the past and present of India's water and underlines why it is crucial to secure its future now.
 "By 2030 India may not meet half of its water demand, warns new book")
South Asia risks water insecurity as global warming affects Himalayas
Warming-induced changes in the Himalaya-Karakoram region will impact water availability in the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra basins.
 "South Asia risks water insecurity as global warming affects Himalayas")
Best of BS Opinion: Beyond the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, vaccine supply, and more
Here's a selection of Business Standard opinion pieces for the day
 "Best of BS Opinion: Beyond the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, vaccine supply, and more")
Beyond the Jal Shakti Abhiyan
NITI Aayog reckons that nearly 600 million Indians are already facing "high to extreme" water stress. The situation is set to worsen as the water demand is likely to double by 2030
Water crisis looms large in Pakistan, may face absolute scarcity by 2040
Amid the rising population and climate change, the availability of fresh water is becoming worrisome in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, which may face absolute water scarcity by 2040
 "Water crisis looms large in Pakistan, may face absolute scarcity by 2040")
Best of BS Opinion: Stop the Covid wave, BJP's return to its roots & more
Here's a selection of Business Standard opinion pieces for the day
 "Best of BS Opinion: Stop the Covid wave, BJP's return to its roots & more")
Catch the rain
New phase of Jal Shakti Abhiyan should improve water availability
Multiple villages in West Bengal suffer acute water crisis, unemployment
More than 400 families of Kurmi Mahato, the Other Backward Class (OBC) community residing at Kalshi Bhanga have to trudge at least a kilometre to get drinking water
 "Multiple villages in West Bengal suffer acute water crisis, unemployment")
Govt to measure depth of Himalayan glaciers to assess water availability
The project is set to start next summer, sometime in June-July
 "Govt to measure depth of Himalayan glaciers to assess water availability")
Conserving groundwater
Rules must contain wasteful use in agriculture
 "Conserving groundwater")
Up to 4.4 bn people will live with limited access to water in future: UN
The UN chief asked all people to play a role to help alleviate the shortage of water
 "Up to 4.4 bn people will live with limited access to water in future: UN")
Best of BS Opinion: Use pvt health care sector, coronavirus fear, and more
Contagion is common to epidemics and banking. Read on. Uddalok Bhattacharya sums up
 "Best of BS Opinion: Use pvt health care sector, coronavirus fear, and more")
States, local communities must come together to ensure tap water for all
According to government's estimates, some 146 million rural households do not have tap water coverage
 "States, local communities must come together to ensure tap water for all")
How India performed in managing forests, water and plastic waste in 2019
PM Modi on many occasions in 2019 announced plans to rid the country of single-use plastic by 2022
 "How India performed in managing forests, water and plastic waste in 2019")
Cabinet approves Rs 6,000 Atal Bhujal scheme for ground water management
The scheme will cover 8,350 villages of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, he said
Closing in on civic authorities
Instead of civil action, the Supreme Court sanctions criminal prosecution
 "Closing in on civic authorities")
Mann ki Baat 2.0: Conserve every drop, says PM Modi as water crisis looms
Narendra Modi also urged people to share knowledge of traditional methods of water conservation
 "Mann ki Baat 2.0: Conserve every drop, says PM Modi as water crisis looms")
