Water Shortage
Case Study: India
10 IGCSE
Water Shortage is a social disaster that affects most nations, especially those with lack of
adequate water resources, unable to satisfy the demands of water usage within a region1. It is,
however, India in particular, affected the most significantly. The immediate impact of Water
shortage is obvious in rural areas where the crisis soars. Scientists predict by 2025, two-thirds
of the world’s population may be suffering from water shortages, which emphasizes the
importance of this pressing environmental issue2.
Water shortage occurs, particularly due to water pollution, that emanates from numerous
sources including pesticides and fertilizers which are washed away during eutrophication3.
Another cause of water shortage is the constant surge in population growth. In the last 50
years, the human population has multiplied more than twice. Consequently, like other
generations, the newer generations require water, nutrition, shelter, and clothing, therefore
resulting in added pressure for freshwater through the production of commodities and energy4
.
These causes inevitably lead to distastorus impacts, such as damaged ecosystems. Evidently,
when water becomes scarce, natural landscapes tend to be destroyed. For instance, the Aral
Sea was initially the world’s fourth-largest freshwater lake. However, in the span of 30 years,
the sea has lost an area the size of Lake Michigan, and is salty like an ocean due to exorbitant
1
“Water Scarcity.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, www.sciencedaily.com/terms/water_scarcity.htm.
2
“Water Scarcity.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/threats/water-scarcity.
3
Ibid
4
Ibid
1
Case Study: India
10 IGCSE
Water Shortage is a social disaster that affects most nations, especially those with lack of
adequate water resources, unable to satisfy the demands of water usage within a region1. It is,
however, India in particular, affected the most significantly. The immediate impact of Water
shortage is obvious in rural areas where the crisis soars. Scientists predict by 2025, two-thirds
of the world’s population may be suffering from water shortages, which emphasizes the
importance of this pressing environmental issue2.
Water shortage occurs, particularly due to water pollution, that emanates from numerous
sources including pesticides and fertilizers which are washed away during eutrophication3.
Another cause of water shortage is the constant surge in population growth. In the last 50
years, the human population has multiplied more than twice. Consequently, like other
generations, the newer generations require water, nutrition, shelter, and clothing, therefore
resulting in added pressure for freshwater through the production of commodities and energy4
.
These causes inevitably lead to distastorus impacts, such as damaged ecosystems. Evidently,
when water becomes scarce, natural landscapes tend to be destroyed. For instance, the Aral
Sea was initially the world’s fourth-largest freshwater lake. However, in the span of 30 years,
the sea has lost an area the size of Lake Michigan, and is salty like an ocean due to exorbitant
1
“Water Scarcity.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, www.sciencedaily.com/terms/water_scarcity.htm.
2
“Water Scarcity.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/threats/water-scarcity.
3
Ibid
4
Ibid
1
