Water Crisis Looms in India as Drilling Depletes Resources

[Gloria]

From the new World Media Watch up now at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical
Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com

3//The News International, Pakistan Monday March 20, 2006-- Safar 19, 1427 A.H.

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/mar2006-daily/20-03-2006/world/w7.htm



WATER CRISIS LOOMS IN INDIA AS DRILLING DEPLETES RESOURCES



NEW DELHI: Each year under the beating summer sun, Indian farmers scan the skies with mounting desperation, waiting for the monsoon clouds to release their deluge and soak the parched land.



Even though India is increasingly known for its high-tech prowess, its billion-plus people and economy are still at the mercy of the fickle rains.



Nowhere is the need for water more acute than in rural India where 60 per cent of its population lives and where water shortages mean shrivelled crops and dried-up wells, endangering lives and livestock. "Water in rural areas is linked to livelihood. It’s as simple as that," says Sumita Dasgupta, a water expert from New Delhi’s Centre for Science and Environment.



With 20 per cent of the world’s population, India must meet its water needs with just five per cent of the globe’s available supply that is dwindling each year, says Maggie Black, a British water expert and co-author of "Water, a Matter of Life and Health".



SNIP

"Estimates reveal that by 2020, India’s demand for water will exceed supply," it said.


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[Psephos]

1. Human population grows; Earth stays the same size

That pretty much explains everything from global warming to Peak Oil to fisheries decimation to suburban sprawl to viral pandemics to (plug in your own example).

Less humans would be nice - but by natural attrition, not by man-made elimination.

Peace.

[rman]

7. Less exploitative corporations would be nicer

[eleny]

2. I hear that mangoes are very juicy

[rman]

6. Not if there's no water to grow them.

[upi402]

3. scarce water, plentiful nukes

great, thanks a lot W for setting leading the way to destroying compliance with non proliferation agreements.

[Oneliest]

4. Were going to run into a similar situation in Oahu, Hawaii

Were pumping out our aquifers faster than they can recharge. Islands really can't support the transient tourist population we have coupled with the way we waste water here. Were going to have get creative or its going to be pretty ugly living in Oahu in the next few decades.

[Earth_First]

5. Drink Coca Cola? You're part of the problem.

Do a quick google search on water rights in India and the Coca-Cola company. If you drink Coca-Cola afterwards, you're an enabler of this problem...