SDG 15: Life on Land-Challenges in Sustainable Utilization and Conservation of Water Resources

Year : 2025 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 01 | Page : 35 42
    By

    D. Tiroutchelvame,

Abstract

Water is one of the most essential natural resources for sustaining life, ensuring agricultural productivity, and fostering socio-economic development. Its effective management and utilization are critical to reducing poverty, maintaining a stable climate, and promoting sustainable economic growth. However, increasing pressures from population growth, urbanization, and industrialization have significantly intensified the demand for water, creating numerous challenges. These include a decline in per capita water availability, falling groundwater levels in several regions, and saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers. Additionally, rising pollution levels from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and untreated sewage have led to the deterioration of surface and groundwater quality, threatening both human health and ecosystems. Climate change has further compounded these challenges by altering rainfall patterns, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, and disrupting the availability and distribution of water resources. Such changes not only impact water supply but also exacerbate vulnerabilities in agricultural systems, energy production, and public health. Addressing these multifaceted issues requires a comprehensive approach to water resource development, conservation, and management. This article critically explores the key challenges associated with water resource management and highlights the need for sustainable practices. It emphasizes adopting integrated water resource management (IWRM) strategies, promoting efficient water use technologies, and strengthening policies to address water scarcity and pollution. Furthermore, community participation and stakeholder engagement are essential to achieving long-term sustainability. By identifying gaps and proposing actionable solutions, this article contributes to the discourse on water resource management, aiming to ensure the availability and sustainability of water for future generations.

Keywords: Water resources, effective water management, sustainable development, groundwater depletion, saltwater intrusion, water pollution, climate change impacts, population growth, urbanization, industrialization, integrated water resource management, agricultural productivity, water scarcity, conservation strategies, sustainable water use

[This article belongs to Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management ]

How to cite this article:
D. Tiroutchelvame. SDG 15: Life on Land-Challenges in Sustainable Utilization and Conservation of Water Resources. Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management. 2025; 12(01):35-42.
How to cite this URL:
D. Tiroutchelvame. SDG 15: Life on Land-Challenges in Sustainable Utilization and Conservation of Water Resources. Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management. 2025; 12(01):35-42. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jowrem/article=2025/view=208101


References

  1. Basin Planning Directorate, CWC, XI Plan Document.
  2. Central Groundwater Board Report(CGWB), 2017.
  3. CGWB (2022), Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India – 2022, Central Ground Water Board Department of Water Resources, Govt of India.
  4. CGWB (2022), Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India – 2022, Central Ground Water Board Department of Water Resources, Govt of India.

5.     Christopher Bren d’Amour, Femke Reitsma, Giovanni Baiocchi and Karen C. Seto “Future urban land expansion and implications for global croplands”, PNAS(Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, December 27, 2016, 114 (34) 8939-8944.

  1. Hadi Heidari1, Mazdak Arabi1, Travis Warziniack & Sybil Sharvelle, “Effects of Urban Development Patterns on Municipal Water Shortage”, Frontiers in Water, Volume 3 – 2021.
  2. Igor Shiklamonov, “Water in Crisis: A Guide to the World’s Freshwater Resources”,1993.
  3. Jeffrey Sayer, Douglas Sheil, Glenn Galloway & Rebecca Riggs, “SDG 15: Life on Land – The Central Role of Forests in Sustainable Development, In book: Sustainable Development Goals: Their Impacts on Forests and People, Cambridge University Press (pp.482-509), 2019
  4. Mahreen Matto, “India’s water crisis: The clock is ticking,” Down to Earth, June 21,2019
  5. Ministry of Jal Shakti (2023), Water Bodies 1 Census Report, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt of India,https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3a70dc40477bc2adceef4d2c90f47eb 82/uploads/2023/04/2023040672.pdf.
  6. Nath, D.; Peramaiyan, P; & Laik, R. (2022), Water resources of rural India: Challenges and management strategies for sustainable development in book Water Resources Management for Rural Development, Challenges and Mitigation, Publisher: Elsevier, 1st Edition – July 1, 2023.
  7. Press Information Bureau (PIB) report, GoI 2020.Fron, https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?
  8. TERI, 2021, Water – Key Facts for its Sustainable Management in India, World Sustainable Development Summit 2022, https://www.teriin.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/water-factsheet.pdf
Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 12
Issue 01
Received 11/11/2024
Accepted 27/01/2025
Published 30/01/2025
Publication Time 80 Days
123


My IP

PlumX Metrics