A parliamentary panel in India brought into light issues regarding water contamination. The Standing Committee on Water Resources reported that over 11,000 habitations across seven states are facing serious water quality challenges. These include pollutants like iron, nitrate, and heavy metals. The report urges immediate action from the government to ensure safe drinking water for affected communities.
Current Water Contamination Status
The report identified 11,348 habitations in 96 districts lacking short-term measures against water pollutants. The presence of heavy metals and nitrates poses health risks. Punjab is particularly affected by uranium contamination. Despite some interim solutions, many areas remain without adequate support.
Government Initiatives
The government is extending the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II until 2026. This initiative aims to maintain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and enhance waste management in rural areas. As of January 2025, number of villages have achieved ODF Plus status, with many reaching the advanced Model category.
Financial Management Issues
The Standing Committee expressed concerns regarding the underutilisation of funds. Only 33% of the revised budget for 2024-25 was spent. Delays in implementing a new fund release system have hindered progress. This has raised alarms about the effectiveness of financial planning for water projects.
Future Plans for Water Management
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation is shifting towards a service delivery model. This model encourages community participation through “Jan Bhagidhari.” The government plans to sign agreements with states to ensure sustainable water services. Enhanced pre-budget planning is also recommended to avoid funding reductions.
Importance of Water Quality Improvement
The committee emphasised the need for urgent interventions to improve water quality. Ensuring safe drinking water is vital for public health. The Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission are crucial for enhancing the quality of life in rural India.
Community Involvement in Water Management
Community participation is essential for the success of water initiatives. Engaging local populations can lead to better management and sustainability of water resources. The government aims to encourage this involvement for more effective service delivery.
Long-term Health Implications
Continued exposure to contaminated water can lead to severe health issues. Addressing water quality is not just an environmental concern but a public health imperative. Long-term strategies are needed to mitigate these risks effectively.
Technological Integration
The integration of technology in fund management is crucial. The Reserve Bank of India’s e-Kuber platform is part of this initiative. Improved technology can streamline processes and enhance fund utilisation.
Questions for UPSC:
- Examine the impact of water quality on public health in rural India.
- Discuss the challenges faced by the Swachh Bharat Mission in achieving its objectives.
- What is the significance of community participation in water management? How can it be enhanced?
- Critically discuss the role of technology in improving water service delivery in India.
Answer Hints:
1. Examine the impact of water quality on public health in rural India.
- Contaminated water sources lead to various health issues, including gastrointestinal diseases, neurological disorders, and long-term chronic conditions.
- Specific pollutants like arsenic, fluoride, and heavy metals pose risks to vulnerable populations, particularly children and the elderly.
- Access to safe drinking water is essential for preventing waterborne diseases and improving overall community health.
- Poor water quality can strain healthcare systems and increase economic burdens on families and governments.
- Long-term exposure to pollutants can lead to irreversible health damage, emphasizing the need for urgent interventions and sustainable solutions.
2. Discuss the challenges faced by the Swachh Bharat Mission in achieving its objectives.
- Underutilization of allocated funds, with only 33% spent in the financial year 2024-25, hampers progress.
- Delays in adopting new fund release systems have created bottlenecks in project implementation.
- Lack of community awareness and participation can lead to insufficient adherence to sanitation practices.
- Geographical and infrastructural challenges in rural areas complicate the establishment of solid waste management systems.
- Ensuring sustained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status requires ongoing education and behavior change initiatives.
3. What is the significance of community participation in water management? How can it be enhanced?
- Community involvement encourages ownership and responsibility for local water resources, leading to better management and sustainability.
- Engaging local populations helps to tailor solutions to specific community needs and challenges.
- Participatory approaches can increase transparency and accountability in water projects, reducing corruption risks.
- Enhancing community participation can be achieved through education, capacity building, and inclusive decision-making processes.
- Utilizing local knowledge and practices can improve the effectiveness of water management strategies.
4. Critically discuss the role of technology in improving water service delivery in India.
- Technology can streamline fund management processes, as seen with the Reserve Bank of India’s e-Kuber platform.
- Data collection and analysis technologies can enhance monitoring of water quality and service delivery effectiveness.
- Remote sensing and GIS technologies can aid in identifying contamination sources and planning interventions.
- Mobile applications can facilitate community engagement and reporting of water quality issues.
- However, reliance on technology must be balanced with addressing infrastructural and educational gaps to ensure equitable access.
