Why do you think the demand for freshwater is increasing?

Water is a cyclic resource with plentiful supplies on the globe. Approximately, 71 per cent of the earth’s surface is covered with it but fresh water constitutes only about 3 per cent of the total water. The demand for fresh water is increasing day by day and it is becoming scarce. Water scarcity may be an outcome of a large and growing population and resulting in greater demands for water, and unequal access to it. A large population means more water not only for domestic use but also to produce more food. Hence, to facilitate higher food-grain production, water resources are being over-exploited to expand irrigated areas and dry-season agriculture. After independence, India has witnessed the major intensive urbanization and industrialization, for creating major employment opportunities. The ever-increasing number of industries has made matters worse by exerting pressure on existing freshwater resources. Industries, apart from being heavy users of water, also require power to run them. Much of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.