India\u2019s push to blend ethanol with petrol, promoted as a clean energy transition, is now raising serious concerns over its impact on the country\u2019s already stressed water resources.<\/p>\n
At the centre of the issue are water-intensive crops such as sugarcane, maize, and rice, which are increasingly being used as raw materials for ethanol production. Experts warn that this shift could further deepen India\u2019s water crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cEthanol blending can worsen India\u2019s water crisis mainly because most of the raw material\u2014sugarcane and increasingly maize\u2014is extremely water-intensive to grow and process,\u201d said IPCC author Anjal Prakash.<\/p>\n
Ethanol blending refers to mixing ethanol, a plant-based alcohol, with petrol to reduce dependence on imported crude oil and cut carbon emissions. India has been aggressively expanding this programme in recent years, with rice also emerging as a key feedstock.<\/p>\n
The government has allocated large quantities of rice for ethanol production, diverting it from other uses, including the public distribution system.<\/p>\n
Data shows the environmental cost of ethanol production is significant. Producing one litre of ethanol from rice can require around 10,790 litres of water, including irrigation needs during cultivation.<\/p>\n
Most of this water is used during farming rather than processing. Growing rice alone demands between 3,000 to 5,000 litres of water per kilogram, while 2.5 to 3 kilograms of rice are needed to produce just one litre of ethanol.<\/p>\n
By comparison, maize requires around 4,670 litres and sugarcane about 3,630 litres of water per litre of ethanol, highlighting the heavy water footprint of biofuel production.<\/p>\n
Experts also warn about industrial waste. \u201cEthanol mills also generate large volumes of wastewater (vinasse), which can pollute surface and groundwater if not treated properly,\u201d said Prakash.<\/p>\n
India is already facing a severe water stress situation. Reports by NITI Aayog have warned that several major cities could face groundwater depletion in the coming years if current trends continue.<\/p>\n
Despite this, ethanol production capacity is expanding rapidly, especially in water-stressed states where groundwater levels are already declining.<\/p>\n
Sugarcane, the primary source of ethanol in India, is also highly water-intensive, further adding pressure on scarce water resources.<\/p>\n
Experts say the contradiction is clear\u2014while farming communities are often blamed for groundwater depletion, large-scale industrial use of the same crops for fuel is rarely scrutinised at the same level.<\/p>\n
As India continues to push for cleaner fuel alternatives, concerns are growing that the ethanol programme may unintentionally worsen an already critical water crisis. (Agency)<\/p>\n\n