Describe the problems of water resources in Madhya Pradesh.

Major Problems of Water Resources in Madhya Pradesh:

Despite being the "Cradle of Rivers" (नदियों का मायका) with over 200 rivers, Madhya Pradesh faces critical structural water resource challenges:

• 1. Seasonal River Flow & High Runoff Loss: Most Peninsular rivers (Chambal, Betwa, Son, Ken) are strictly monsoonal, discharging $>85$ of their annual volume within 3 months and drying up during hot summers.
• 2. Critical Groundwater Depletion & Over-Exploitation: Over-reliance on tube-wells in the Malwa Plateau (Ujjain, Indore, Ratlam, Mandsaur) has pushed groundwater development $>100$, categorizing many blocks as "Over-Exploited / Dark Zones".
• 3. Inter-State River Water Disputes: Protracted water sharing and dam construction disputes—Ken-Betwa link delays, Narmada water sharing disputes, and Rajghat dam maintenance with UP.
• 4. Water Quality Degradation & Fluoride Contamination: Excessive extraction has caused severe geogenic Fluoride contamination in 140+ blocks (Mandla, Seoni, Jhabua) and industrial chemical pollution in Kahn and Betwa rivers.
• 5. Poor Canal Conveyance Efficiency: Seepage losses in unlined earthen canals and siltation in major reservoirs (Gandhi Sagar, Tawa).