The Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) has been an essential tool in India, used as a valuable measure for evaluating the effectiveness of water management in various states. However, recent developments have brought up questions about its future, sparking uncertainty about its continued existence.
Understanding the CWMI
NITI Aayog introduced the CWMI to offer yearly insights into the condition of the water sector and the performance of water management within the states and union territories (UTs) of India.
The Genesis and Progression of CWMI
In June 2018, NITI Aayog launched the inaugural edition of the CWMI, highlighting India’s water-related challenges and grading states on 28 criteria using data from 2015-16 and 2016-17. The second installment, which evaluated the 2017-18 period, was released in August 2019. This report was the cumulative effort of NITI Aayog and several critical ministries, such as Water Resources, Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Rural Development.
Themes and Indicators of CWMI
The Index is based on nine themes, each with varying significance, and uses 28 distinct indicators. These themes and indicators include aspects like source augmentation, restoration of water bodies, major and medium irrigation, watershed development, participatory irrigation practices, sustainable on-farm water use practices, rural and urban water supply and sanitation, and policy and governance.
Delays in CWMI Editions due to COVID-19
NITI Aayog points to the lack of updated data due to the Covid-19 pandemic as the reason behind the delayed third and fourth rounds of the CWMI. Considerations are being made towards amalgamating rounds 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 to cover the years 2021-22 and 2022-23, with discussions about extending data coverage to the district level.
An Overview of Water Resources in India
Every year, India can use an estimated 1,121 billion cubic meters (bcm) of water. However, data from the Ministry of Water Resources reveals that the total demand for water will reach 1,093 bcm in 2025 and increase to 1,447 bcm by 2050. This indicates a significant water shortage in India within the next decade.
The Falkenmark Water Index, a global measure for assessing water scarcity, states that if the per capita water supply is below 1,700 cubic meters yearly, then there is water scarcity. Applying this index to India shows that about 76% of the population is already enduring water scarcity.
Government Initiatives for Water Management in India
To address these shortages, several government initiatives targeting water management are in place. These include the National Aquifer Mapping and Management Program, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, National Water Policy 2012, and Atal Bhujal Yojana.
UPSC Civil Services Examination: Previous Year Questions
Here we provide a review of previous years’ UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions related to water management. In the prelims, the benefits of implementing the ‘Integrated Watershed Development Programme’ were evaluated. In the mains, questions ranged from the National Water Policy of India, strategies for controlling and managing river water pollution using the Ganges as an example, the legal provisions for managing and handling hazardous wastes, the ideal solution for depleting ground water resources, and the regional differences in water stress in India. The goal of such questions is to test candidates’ understanding and insight into water management issues and potential solutions.
Last Modified: February 22, 2024