Why in the news?

• NITI Aayog releases Report on Water Budgeting for Aspiration Blocks.

Water Budgeting

• What is it?: Water budgeting is the scientific process of accounting for the inflow, outflow, and storage of water within a specific system (e.g., watershed, region, agricultural field, or country) over a defined period. It balances available water with actual water use and requirements.
• Components
  • Inputs: Rainfall, surface water inflow, groundwater recharge.
  • Outputs: Evapotranspiration, surface water outflow, groundwater extraction, water use for various sectors.
  • Change in Storage: Difference between water entering and leaving the system over time.
•  Importance
  • Evaluates water availability, identifies surpluses or deficits, and informs optimal water allocation.
  • Aids in sustainable management of water for domestic, agricultural, industrial, and ecological needs.
  • Supports planning for drought, flood risk, and climate change adaptation.
  • Protects drinking water sources and designs restoration or conservation projects.
• Application
  • Watershed management, crop planning (Crop Water Budgeting), river basin development, urban water security planning, and community-based resource management.
  • State and local governments use water budgets to ensure annual withdrawals are within sustainable limits and to achieve water security and conservation objectives.