India’s water needs are set to double by 2030, which could dry up its river basins, according to new research released Tuesday that paints a grim picture for supplies across the emerging world.
Global fresh water demand by 2030 will be 40 percent higher than current supplies and agriculture is predicted to suck up 65 percent of all resources, said the report by the 2030 Water Resources Group.
The initiative, headed by consulting firm McKinsey and Co., studied China, India, South Africa and Sao Paulo state in Brazil — four areas that together by 2030 will account for 42 percent of projected global water demand.
Demand for rice, wheat and sugar will push India’s huge agricultural sector to consume 1.5 trillion cubic metres of water by 2030, almost double that of China, said the study, called “Charting Our Water Future: Economic Frameworks to Inform Decision Making.”
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