Family-owned conglomerate committed to nurturing the development of Emirati workforce
business5 hours ago
India has the world's highest number of people without access to clean water - imposing a major financial burden for some of the country's poorest people, according to a report released on Tuesday.
The international charity Water Aid says 75.8 million Indians - or 5 per cent of the country's 1.25 billion population - are forced to either buy water at high rates or use supplies that are contaminated with sewage or chemicals. That accounts for more than a tenth of the 650 million people worldwide without clean water access - more than any single country in Africa or China, where 63 million have no access.
The situation worldwide has improved since 1990, with 2.6 billion people gaining access to clean water since then. But the report urged more action in "a world where one in 10 people are trapped in a cycle of poverty and disease for want of a safe, affordable water supply of their own".
Poor Indians without water access are forced to spend an average of about 72 cents to buy 50 litres of water a day, the amount recommended by the World Health Organisation, according to the report. That's nearly 20 per cent of their typical daily income, according to the report. By comparison, people in Britain spend about 10 cents a day for 50 litres.
"Poor management of water resources is the biggest problem holding India back," the report said. "Misappropriation in planning and execution of water supply projects is another key factor. And projects often use inadequate sources, or pipelines do not reach habitations."
The alternative to buying supplies - using dirty water - comes with sober consequence, sickening countless people every year. About 315,000 children die from diarrhoeal diseases each year, with 140,000 those deaths happening in India.
India already faces chronic water shortages and drought, as rivers become increasingly polluted and groundwater reserves rapidly decline thanks to the unchecked use of water pumps by farmers and villagers. The problem is set to worsen as global temperatures rise and rain becomes more erratic with climate change.
Within 15 years, the country is expected to have only half the water it needs to meet competing demands from cities, agriculture and industry.
Some Indian cities, including New Delhi and elsewhere in the northern state of Rajasthan, are rolling out water kiosks in drought-prone areas. Others, including Nagpur, in the central state of Maharashtra, are experimenting with privatization schemes to try to improve service. The breadbasket state of Punjab, which produces the vast majority of India's grains, has set up public water filtration units to clean groundwater contaminated by sewage and agricultural chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers.
"We don't handle public goods well," said environmental economist Pavan Sukhdev. "You need public management systems to manage public goods, and there are no market lessons to help guide that management."
Experts worry the water crisis could exacerbate community conflicts or regional tensions, and have urged authorities to impose strict regulations on water pumping and water use.
Family-owned conglomerate committed to nurturing the development of Emirati workforce
business5 hours ago
The digital asset industry is experiencing exponential growth
tech5 hours ago
Urban Ledger debuts at Seamless Middle East 2024
tech5 hours ago
Applications now open for AFE’s talent development programme
entertainment5 hours ago
Dubai Premier Padel P1 is part of a 25-tournament season that visits 18 countries across five continents
sports5 hours ago
His first job was in construction, which paid a salary of Rs150 — a significant sum at the time
uae5 hours ago
The emirate has proven itself to be one of the most attractive global destinations for investors
realty6 hours ago
Similar concept as Open-Book model trialled at schools here
education6 hours ago