No, despite receiving significant annual precipitation, India is not considered a water-rich country primarily due to its disproportionately large population relative to its share of the world's water resources.
Understanding India's Water Resources
India experiences substantial rainfall, with an average precipitation of 1,170 millimetres (46 inches) per year. This translates to approximately 4,000 cubic kilometres (960 cubic miles) of rain annually. On a per-person basis, this provides about 1,720 cubic metres (61,000 cubic feet) of fresh water every year. These figures might suggest abundance, but a closer look at the global distribution reveals a different picture.
The Disparity: Population vs. Water Availability
The critical factor in assessing India's water richness is the comparison between its population and its available water resources.
| Feature | Percentage of World's Total |
|---|---|
| Population | 18% |
| Water Resources | 4% |
This significant imbalance means that while India possesses a considerable volume of water in absolute terms, the per capita availability is relatively low when distributed among its vast population. Having 18% of the world's population but only 4% of its water resources places immense pressure on the existing supply, leading to water scarcity in many regions.
Challenges and Implications
The imbalance between population and water resources presents several challenges for India:
- High Per Capita Demand: A large population naturally leads to high demand for water across various sectors, including domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses.
- Regional Variations: Water availability is not uniform across India; some regions experience floods while others face severe droughts, exacerbating the overall water stress.
- Agricultural Dependency: Agriculture, a significant sector of the Indian economy, is highly dependent on water, often leading to over-extraction of groundwater.
- Need for Efficient Management: Given the limited per capita resources, effective water management, conservation, and sustainable use practices are crucial to ensure water security for the population.
Therefore, despite its considerable annual rainfall, the high population density and the disproportionately small share of global water resources mean India faces significant water stress, making it far from a "water-rich" nation.
