What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?
Answer:
Water scarcity means a shortage of freshwater compared to demand. It happens when the availability of usable water is insufficient for drinking, irrigation, and industrial needs.
🔹 Main Causes of Water Scarcity:
- Overuse and wastage – Excessive water consumption for agriculture, industries, and households.
- Population growth – More people mean higher water demand.
- Water pollution – Contaminated water sources become unusable.
- Unequal distribution – Some regions get plenty of water, while others suffer shortages.
- Deforestation & climate change – Alter rainfall patterns, reducing water availability.
- Over-extraction of groundwater – Depletes underground water reserves.