Water resources are finite, critical for economic growth, and essential for ecology. India’s water resources are under tremendous pressure. India’s per capita water availability is likely to touch the waterscarce scenario by 2050. By 2050, India’s water demand is expected to be 1180 billion cubic meters (BCM) which will far exceed the water availability at 1126 BCM. Irrigation sector is the highest water-consuming sector, much above the trends in developed countries.

Rain alone fulfills only 20 per cent of water demand while the balance relies heavily on depleting ground water resources. Seventy eight per cent of monsoon rainwater flows into the ocean every year and 6 per cent annual rainwater is saved or stored every year. Although West Bengal is a water surplus state, it faces a significant water scarcity problem in some districts where groundwater depletion, climate change and increased demand are major contributing factors. Overextraction and inefficient water use have led to declining groundwater levels, especially in the Gangetic basin.

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Changes in rainfall patterns and increased temperature are exacerbating the scarcity, especially in Purulia. Population growth, urbanisation, and industrialisation are increasing the demand for water, putting strain on existing water resources. There are regional variations: while some are like the ‘Gangetic Alluvial Zone’ having access to surface water, others like Purulia face more water scarcity. The impacts of water scarcity are reduced water availability which is impacting agricultural production, and contaminated water resources and lack of access to clean water which pose public health risks. The JJM Dashboard (15 April 2025) shows that less than 50 per cent functional household tap connections were given to Darjeeling, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Uttar Dinajpur.

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The last three poor performing districts are Paschim........

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