India in danger of moving towards water scarcity condition: Asian Development Bank

NEW DELHI: India is in danger of moving towards water scarcity conditions as per capita availability of water is reducing in the country, a Asian Development Bank official said today.

He further said that the situation in India is challenging in the light of growing population.

"The situation in India is also particularly challenging given the size of the population, its expected growth and having only about four per cent of the world's fresh water resources," Rana Hassan, Principal Economist, India Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank said.

He was addressing the gathering at an international seminar on water risk and water stewardship here today.

Citing projections, he said that the per capita average annual water availability was reducing, which may lead to water scarcity conditions.

"In fact, with the projections that we have before us, per capita average annual water availability is reducing and we are steadily in danger of moving towards water scarcity conditions," he added.

He also noted that variations in rainfall and increase in demand for water from industries are a few factors compounding to the situation.

Noted film director Shekhar Kapur also spoke on the occasion.