Part 2/13:
India's water crisis is characterized by stark disparities between demand and supply. The country possesses only about 4% of the world's freshwater resources while housing 17% of the global population. This imbalance has led to widespread water stress, affecting agricultural productivity, industrial output, and drinking water availability.
In particular, the depletion of groundwater—crucial for both rural and urban areas—has reached alarming levels. Farmers in states like Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana drill deeper and deeper into the Earth to access diminishing aquifers, often exceeding 150% of natural recharge rates. This over-extraction not only threatens water security but also leads to rising concentrations of pollutants such as arsenic, nitrates, and uranium, posing health risks.