War over Water?

War over Water?

A Planning Commission report says that the demand for water in the country will go beyond a thousand billion cubic metres in 2025. The demand will primarily be from irrigation, drinking and energy or hydro-power. Therefore, it is not without reason that the Supreme Court has warned that paucity of water could lead to great suffering and social unrest. Giving its view in a judgement directing the Centre to constitute a special water tribunal to solve an inter-State water dispute between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, the apex court has asked the Centre to immediately constitute a high-powered committee to evolve ways to overcome any possible water crisis in the future, failing which ‘‘the hardships of the people will further increase causing great suffering and social unrest’’. So is a war over water inevitable? The Centre must wake up to the grim reality and devise ways and means for the sustenance of the country in 2025 when it will need 1,093 billion cubic metres of water. Only a professional approach can help the country tide over the impending crisis — which means scientists must be roped in for expert guidance and suggestions.