In short :
World Water Day 2025 focused on Glacier Preservation and initiated the UN Decade of Action on Cryospheric Science (2025–2034).
India’s water management issues are under fresh scrutiny with global push towards Source-to-Sea (S2S) approach linking upstream and downstream water ecosystems.
Key Highlights :
Theme of World Water Day 2025: Glacier Preservation.
UN Declaration:
- March 21, 2025 observed as the first-ever World Day for Glaciers.
- 2025–34 declared as the UN Decade of Cryospheric Science.
- UN World Water Development Report 2025 emphasized “Mountain and Glaciers – Water Towers”.
- Ocean Science Link: 2025 is also midway into UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030) – convergence of ocean and glacier science.
Source-to-Sea (S2) Management Approach :
Definition: Integrates upstream land, freshwater, and downstream coastal & marine ecosystem management.
Origin:
- Introduced in Manila Declaration 2012.
- Supported by SIWI, UNEP, IUCN, and GEF.
Key Features:
- Moves beyond fragmented water governance (aquifers, lakes, rivers, marine treated separately).
- Supports holistic watershed-to-ocean resource planning.
- Focuses on transboundary coordination, pollution control, and ecosystem linkages.
India’s Water Management Crisis
Challenges:
- Over-extraction: 25% of groundwater blocks in critical zones.
- Water quality decline: River and groundwater pollution; 311 polluted stretches identified by CPCB in 2022.
- Inequitable access, inter-State conflicts, and poor waste management (only 53% of 1.7 lakh tonnes/day treated).
- Climate change and glacier retreat threatening Himalayan water systems.
- NITI Aayog (2018): 600 million Indians face water stress; 6% of GDP may be at risk.
Issues with Current Governance
Fragmented governance:
- River basins span multiple political jurisdictions.
- Four governance layers: Local → State → National → Global.
Policy gaps:
- Lack of coordination and nested governance system.
- Limited adoption of integrated approaches like S2S.
Current Policy Framework
- National Water Policy (1987, revised in 2002, 2012) – fragmented impact.
Committees:
- 2015: Restructuring CWC & CGWB.
- 2019: Ministry of Jal Shakti’s expert group proposed reforms (awaiting implementation).
Pilot Projects:
- Delhi waterbody nutrient management via S2S platform.
- Indo-Gangetic basin S2S linkage (proposed).
Way Forward
- Adopt Source-to-Sea (S2S) framework nationally.
- Link SDG-6 (Water) and SDG-14 (Marine health) using social-ecological systems thinking.
- Promote community-based, interdisciplinary water governance.
- Encourage science-policy-execution collaboration to bridge systemic gaps.
- Strengthen cryospheric monitoring and glacier-linked water risk planning.
UPSC Relevance
GS2 – Governance:
Highlights fragmented water governance in India, Urges integrated policy via Source-to-Sea (S2S) approach, Links to UN initiatives (Cryosphere Decade, Ocean Science Decade).
GS3 – Environment:
Focus on glacier preservation, river pollution, groundwater overuse, Promotes SDG-6 (Water) + SDG-14 (Oceans) linkage, Stresses on climate change impact and holistic water management.
GS1 – Geography:
Discusses cryosphere (glaciers), river basins, and upstream-downstream water dynamics.
Possible Mains Question (GS3 – Environment)
Q. “India’s fragmented water governance system is ill-equipped to manage the upstream-downstream linkages of its river basins. Discuss how the Source-to-Sea (S2S) approach can provide a holistic framework for sustainable water management.” (250 words)
