Potential for Water Conservation and Harvesting against Drought in Rajasthan, India.

Abstract

Rajasthan is the largest state in India covering an area of 34.22 million hectares, i.e., 10.5 percent of the country's geographical area, but sharing only 1.15 percent of its water resources.The state is predominantly agrarian as the livelihood of 70 percent of its people depends on agriculture-based activities.Most of the state (60-75%) is arid or semiarid.In the last 50 years, a threefold increase in the human population and a doubling of the livestock populations have put tremendous pressure on the fragile water and land resources of Rajasthan.Recurring and prolonged droughts, particularly in the western arid part of the state, is a common phenomenon exacerbating water shortages.The estimated annual, per capita water availability in the state during 2001 was 840 m 3 and it is expected to be 439 m 3 by the year 2050, against the national average of 1,140 m 3 by 2050.Groundwater is overexploited in many districts of the state.This study examines the potential for water harvesting and conservation against drought in the Indian state of Rajasthan.It indicates that despite water resources depletion, the state still has significant potential for harvesting and conserving water if an integrated water resources management approach is adopted, and proper policies and investment actions are implemented using recent technologies.The study suggests the following promising components of the water harvesting and conservation potential of the state.