reduction of growth yield is estimated by the systematic use of this method. A study carried out on a North China plain on winter wheat saved 25% water with no significant loss of yield (UN WWDR 2015). In India, a study carried out using this strategy in the vegetative phase for groundnut gave positive results. More research is required regarding deficit irrigation on Indian crops for water conservation strategies.
Good groundwater governance: A Netherlands funded APFAMGS (Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems) project is an excellent example of the governance of groundwater resources. This project has been applied in 638 groundwater overexploited villages of Andhra Pradesh. The officials of this project adapted appropriate cropping systems based on available groundwater resources. The governance acted as pressure to adapt suitable water saving and harvesting projects. Low investment organic agriculture was promoted, and the rules were formulated to ensure the sustainability of groundwater resources.
India is becoming a water‐deficient country and climate change is making the situation more critical. The use of the maximum potential of river water, seawater, precipitation, wastewater, and good water governance can minimize the impact of climate change on water resources.
1.10 Conclusion and Recommendations
Water security has been a grave issue in India due to a lack of proper management, the slow rate of establishing water projects, inadequate water monitoring, and a lack of appropriate preventive measures. The degradation of water quality results in increased water‐borne and vector‐borne diseases. Apart from this, contaminants such as arsenic, fluoride, uranium, nitrate, cadmium, and lead found in water are also responsible for various serious diseases like cancer, cardiovascular, mental disorders, and others. The effects of climate change, including the increase of temperature, changes in regional precipitation patterns, floods, droughts events, etc., make the situation more critical in respect of water quantity, water quality, and water‐related diseases. India has the potential to resolve future challenges by the use of surface water to accelerate the establishment of water projects, adopting new technologies, hydro‐diplomacy with adjacent countries, and making stringent rules and regulations.
Some recommendations are given as follows:
Use of the maximum potential of surface water, seawater, and rainfall
Turning flooding incidents to opportunities by managing huge amounts of water
Promotion of water‐efficient irrigation systems like drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, etc.
Hydro‐diplomacy and solving conflicts with neighboring countries
Applying strict regulations and taking action against those causing water pollution and wastage
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