Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) 

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07 Nov Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) 

Posted at 07 Nov 2023 in Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs for UPSC by
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This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Composite Water Management Index (CWMI)”. This topic has relevance in the “Polity and Governance” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:
What is the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI)?

For Mains:
GS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising from their design and implementation.

Why in the news?

NITI Aayog is considering discontinuing a Composite Water Management Index introduced five years ago. The Aayog has reportedly designated the reports on states’ water management progress for 2018-19 and 2019-20 for “internal use” after making the earlier editions publicly available.

 

India’s Water Scenario at Glance
  • India is experiencing a severe water crisis with significant economic, livelihood, and ecological consequences.
  • India has approximately 17% of the world’s population but only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources.
  • Over 82 Crore people in India live in areas with per capita water availability close to or lower than 1000m3, the threshold for water scarcity.
  • Approximately 60% of this population resides in the Ganges river basin, responsible for nearly 40% of the country’s GDP.
  • The Ganges River has witnessed unprecedentedly low water levels in recent summer seasons, and groundwater contribution to the river is expected to continue decreasing in the next 30 years.
  • India has annual utilisable water resources of 690 Billion Cubic metres (BCM) from surface sources and 447 BCM from groundwater.
  • Despite possessing surface water resources, groundwater contributes nearly 62% to irrigation, 85% to rural water supply, and 45% to urban water supply in India.
  • Inefficient cropping patterns, especially the cultivation of water-intensive crops like sugarcane and paddy, exacerbate water-related issues.
  • India’s international trade in water-intensive crops, such as Basmati rice, contributes to significant virtual water loss.

 

Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) 

  • The NITI Aayog introduced the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) to facilitate efficient water resource management in Indian states amidst the escalating water crisis. 
  • This initiative is a collaborative effort involving two key ministries: the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Rural Development.

 

Objectives of CWMI:

  • Improve Water Resource Management: It aims to enhance water resource management in India through a collaborative approach.
  • Public Accountability: The CWMI serves as a public platform, providing an annual overview of the water sector and states’ performance.
  • Progress Measurement: This index evaluates states’ progress in water management and performance improvements over time.

 

Importance of the CWMI:

  • Evidence-Based Policy: It encourages a culture of evidence and data-driven decision-making for sustainable and efficient water resource management.
  • Promoting Federalism: The CWMI is expected to promote the spirit of ‘competitive and cooperative federalism’ across the country, encouraging states to compete and cooperate in improving water management.
  • Data Accessibility: Data incorporated in the index will be made accessible to researchers and entrepreneurs, thereby stimulating innovation within the sector.
  • Addressing Water Risk: The collection and compilation of this strategic dataset represent a significant stride towards addressing the projected water risk and shortfall in the country.

 

CWMI Indicator themes 

The CWMI is structured around nine themes, each assigned a specific weight and encompasses 28 indicators. These themes cover a broad spectrum of water management aspects, including:

  1. Groundwater and surface water restoration
  2. Major and medium irrigation
  3. Watershed development
  4. Participatory irrigation management
  5. On-farm water use
  6. Rural and urban water supply
  7. Policy and governance

 

Categorisation of states

To accommodate the varying hydrological conditions across different groups of reporting states, the CWMI classified them into three distinct categories: 

  • Non-Himalayan states
  • North-Eastern and Himalayan states
  • Union Territories (UTs)

 

Way Forward

  • Addressing India’s intricate water challenge demands a comprehensive perspective, including the hydrological system and its interactions with climate change, as well as the impact of human activities in agriculture, industry, and energy production.
  • It is essential to enhance our understanding of finite water resources and how they are utilised, implementing measures to ensure efficient and sustainable water use. 
  • The nation must take immediate and decisive actions to promote responsible water management.

 

Sources: NITI weighs discontinuing key water report launched 5 years ago | India News – The Indian Express 

 

Q1. With reference to Composite Water Management Index (CWMI), consider the following statements: 

  1. The NITI Aayog has published the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI).
  2. It aims to enhance water resource management in India through a collaborative approach.
  3. CWMI classified the states into three distinct categories: Large states, small states, and Union Territories (UTs). 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only 

(d) None 

Answer: (a) 

 

Q2. Consider the following:

  1. India has 17% of the world’s population but 40% of the world’s freshwater resources.
  2. Water scarcity is encountered when the annual water supply falls below 1,000 m3 per individual.
  3. India has annual utilisable water resources from surface sources greater than groundwater.

How many of the statements are correct?

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two 

(c) All three 

(d) None

Answer: (b)

 

Q3. Discuss the significance of NITI Aayog’s of Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) in the context of India’s severe water crisis. 

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