Tulshi village in Maharashtra made national headlines when its residents put up signs declaring the area up for adoption amid long-standing water crisis. This coincides with Maharashtra declaring 74% of the state drought-ridden due to deficient rainfall. One of the biggest casualties of this crisis will be the tourism industry amid water reserves expected to last only until mid-May 2027.
While parts of the state and even areas in a metropolitan city like Mumbai daily struggle with portable water supply, the government implementing a 10% water city across municipalities will create additional strain.
Taking a cue from Ralegan Siddhi’s initiative could serve as a template to deal with this challenge. Efforts to capture rainwater and recharge groundwater helped transform the village into a self-sustaining eco-village. This is a perfect example of how conservation and sustainability for destination planning and management yields positive results. Alongside, water conservation advisories at tourist destinations to make visitors aware of the resource constraints, and encourage responsible consumption are smaller but effective measures.
While Mumbai as the main gateway may remain relatively resilient, the pressure will be felt across the state. Consequently, the impact will be profound in the hinterlands where tourism supports accommodation providers, restaurants, transporters and homestays and state guest houses. This will also further add pressure on Mumbai to accommodate the large influx of tourists that will avoid the rural belts due to lack of water access.
This crisis period could also be used to accelerate infrastructure development across rural areas, creating systems that are more resilient and resource-efficient for the future. Amid the challenge at knocking at the door, the response must look beyond immediate solutions.