ECONOMICS (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Economic water scarcity is due to a lack of water infrastructure in general or to the poor management of water resources where infrastructure is in place. The FAO estimates that more than 1.6 billion people face economic water shortage.

Detailed explanation-2: -Water scarcity (closely related to water stress or water crisis) is the lack of fresh water resources to meet the standard water demand. There are two types of water scarcity: physical water scarcity and economic water scarcity.

Detailed explanation-3: -Agriculture consumes more water than any other source and wastes much of that through inefficiencies. Climate change is altering patterns of weather and water around the world, causing shortages and droughts in some areas and floods in others. At the current consumption rate, this situation will only get worse.

Detailed explanation-4: -The issue explained. Water scarcity is a relative concept. The amount of water that can be physically accessed varies as supply and demand changes. Water scarcity intensifies as demand increases and/or as water supply is affected by decreasing quantity or quality. Water is a finite resource in growing demand.

Detailed explanation-5: -Need of conservation of water i) Overexploitation of underground water results in the lowering of water table. ii) The loss of vegetation causes drought and reduction of rainfall. iii) Irrigation utilises more than 90% of the total fresh water. iv) Increased population has led to water scarcity.