Reasons for increasing water scarcity in India :

(i) Water scarcity in most cases is caused by inefficient use, exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to water among different social groups.

(ii) Rainwater in India is available only for four months form July to September. Therefore, water is not available throughout the year and many areas of the country face drought during the summer months. Failure of the monsoons also brings great hardships to the people.

(iii) Water scarcity also occurs due to the loss of vegetation, as the surface water becomes muddy and flows to the oceans.

(iv) Like forests, water also belongs to the community. We have not been able to promote sustainable use of water on this account.

(v) Overuse of water resources by farmers also leads to the depletion of groundwater resources, causing fall in the water level.

(vi) Industrialisation, growth of population and urbanization also leads to water scarcity or water shortage.