India's Escalating Water Crisis and the Expanding Role of Rainwater Harvesting in Sustainable Resource Management

Ryan Aggarwal

Abstract: The text outlines India?s rapidly intensifying water crisis by tracing the combined pressures of groundwater depletion, erratic monsoons, urbanization, climate change, and weak governance structures. It explains how widespread over-extraction, contamination, and inadequate infrastructure have accelerated water scarcity, creating risks for agriculture, industry, and public health. The discussion highlights the growing strain on rural and urban systems, the retreat of Himalayan glaciers, and the economic vulnerabilities linked to declining water availability. Within this context, rainwater harvesting is presented as a practical and scalable option for strengthening water security, relieving pressure on groundwater reserves, reducing flood and drought damage, and providing cost effective support for agricultural, industrial, and urban needs. The text also acknowledges the technical, financial, spatial, and quality related challenges that constrain adoption, emphasizing the need for more adaptive and community-oriented water management practices.

Keywords: Water crisis, groundwater depletion, climate change, rainwater harvesting, urban water stress, pollution

How to Cite?: Ryan Aggarwal, "India's Escalating Water Crisis and the Expanding Role of Rainwater Harvesting in Sustainable Resource Management", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 984-994, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251208221535, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251208221535