Published on 02 Feb 2025
India: Home to 16% of the population but has only 4% of global freshwater availability.
Over-exploitation: According to the Central Groundwater Board of India, 17% of groundwater blocks are overexploited.
Usage: Groundwater accounts for 60% of irrigation for agriculture, 85% of domestic water supply in rural and 45% in urban areas.
Reasons for groundwater exploitation
Unsuitable cropping pattern: Water-guzzling crops in dry areas.
Example: Rice in Punjab, Citrus fruits in MH
Power subsidies: The practice of giving power subsidies to agriculture has been a significant contributor to India’s declining water levels.
Example: Heavy groundwater exploitation Punjab-Haryana- Western UP belt.
Green revolution: Promotion of water-intensive crops like rice and wheat.
MSP: Minimum support price provided to water-intensive crops incentivising farmers to cultivate more.
Population growth and unplanned urbanization: Putting a heavy burden on groundwater resources as demand for water increased especially for domestic use.
Industrial growth: The industrial sector's reliance on groundwater for various processes adds to the overall demand. Unregulated or unsustainable industrial water use can lead to groundwater depletion.
Groundwater pollution: Pollution of groundwater sources can make water unusable, reducing the availability of clean water and forcing reliance on alternative sources, contributing to increased pressure on groundwater.
Measures to control groundwater exploitation
Water conservation and management: Encourage rainwater harvesting and rooftop water collection along with efficient irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler irrigation to reduce water consumption in agriculture.
Example: PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyaan catch the rain campaign
Strict regulation and enforcement: Implement stringent regulations on groundwater extraction and Strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with groundwater regulations.
Example: Blue certification programme rating industries according to the amount of water they recharge and use.
Promoting alternative resources and best practices: Explore and develop alternative water sources, such as treated wastewater and desalination, to reduce reliance on groundwater.
Example: Israel’s grey water recycling and using 80% of its treated water for agricultural irrigation.
Policy and institutional framework: Strengthen institutional capacity for groundwater management and more policies supporting less water usage.
Example: Promotion of millets as a staple crop in dry areas.
Advance groundwater recharge and management: Implement artificial recharge techniques, such as constructing recharge wells and ponds, to replenish groundwater aquifers.
Example: Aquifer mapping and management programme, AMRUT etc.
Public awareness and education: Raise public awareness about the importance of groundwater conservation and the consequences of overexploitation.
Geography
Status of Groundwater Exploitation in India
ground water
water resources
Reasons for groundwater exploitation
Measures to control groundwater exploitation
General Studies Paper 1
Resources Distribution