Large population has led to stress on water resources: Ansari

Vice President M Hamid Ansari on Tuesday said India's huge population has resulted in stress on water resources and that the plight of Yamuna reflects water mismanagement. He said the country's "proverbial poverty" is largely related to the results from hydro-meteorological conditions, inequitable spatial distribution, and non-utilisation and ill-planned utilisation of water resources.

"Deficiency of water results in crop failure and water in excess of the capacity of stream results in flood causing widespread loss of life and property," Ansari said, addressing the centenary celebration of Central Water and Power Research Station here.

"India's proverbial poverty amongst plenty is, to a large extent, related to results from the hydro-meteorological conditions, inequitable spatial distribution, non-utilisation and ill-planned utilisation of water resources," he said.

Summarising the major cause of acute water crisis in the country, Ansari said, "First, India's large population has led to a stress on available water resources. The total amount of usable water has been estimated to be between 700 to 1,200 billion cubic meters."