March 13: Water experts have warned that the hydro-logical cycle needs to be protected to prevent water shortage in the future. Taking part in a seminar on "water use efficiency and water quality issues in Andhra Pradesh" organised by Central Ground Water Board here, the experts said water in the country was overexploited and the situation would turn grim by 2050. Dr A.K. Jain, special secretary of I&CAD, Mr B.M. Murali Krishna Rao, director of the State groundwater department, Prof A.P. Siva way out the experts emphasised the need for adopting best water resource management practices. Innovative methods such as micro irrigation should be taken up to minimise pressure on power consumption. Kumar, head of the department of geology in Osmania University, and Dr M.K. Reddy, chief of Neeri, were among those who spoke. The experts emphasised the need for adopting best water resource management practices to come out of the crisis. Innovative methods such as micro irrigation should be taken up to minimise pressure on power consumption, they added. The experts warned that major areas in the city may face severe scarcity of water because of development projects and if the situation continued for another four years the groundwater level in the city would deplete to dangerous levels. "If the situation remains^ the same there will be paucity of water in the city which will directly affect the common man," said Mr Jain. "The increase in bore wells has also put pressure on the groundwater aquifer."