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India is on the threshold of a major water
crisis, for which it seems least prepared.
In the next 25 years, the country could
face absolute water scarcity. Currently,
India suffers from massive regional variations
in its water situation.
Nearly one-third of the country is drought-prone,
having a severe scarcity of drinking water,
besides suffering from deteriorating water
quality and depleting groundwater resources.
In stark contrast, a fourth of India is
prone to floods and surface water logging
after normal monsoons.
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| Geographical
spread of projects |
In West Bengal, groundwater is contaminated
with arsenic, whereas the rest of India
needs to figure out how to deal with the
rising content of fluoride and nitrates
in drinking water supplies drawn predominantly
from groundwater wells.
India has a huge scientific competence
base in water resources comprising hydrologists,
hydro-geologists, water resource engineers,
water quality experts and soil scientists.
Unfortunately, politicians or bureaucrats,
who have very little understanding of the
nature of the problem, formulate the nation’s
water strategies.
Science has little impact on policy, unless
the scientific work and ideas are presented
in a policy-relevant fashion. Against this
backdrop, the Trust has supported research
initiatives that seek solutions to water
related issues.
Key grants
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