Water Crisis in Developing World: Misconceptions about Solutions

Abstract

The United Nations forecasts a world population growth of 1 billion in the next decade and 2 billion in the next two decades—growth that will place immense demands on the developing nations' water resources. The extent of these demands when placed against the constraints of time, water, and funds, and the lack of plans to manage droughts confirm that the world faces a serious water crisis. Yet, most actions proposed in today's debate offer questionable solutions, many built on faulty assumptions. Water markets and increases in irrigation efficiency will do little to meet the needs of these countries. Reallocations will have far-reaching social repercussions. The time constraints dictate that the situation be addressed with a greater sense of urgency and that proven measures, even if controversial, should be promptly implemented, while studies should concentrate on approaches that can realistically offer significant help in the following decades. An example of the consequences of the international community's confined if not distorted perspectives is offered by a case study of India's Sardar Sarovar Project.