Too much dependence on groundwater
We as a nation are faced with a serious crisis of water availability. Though across India huge reservoirs of water are available but most of it is not fit for human consumption and use.
Therefore, many regions across the country have become dependent on groundwater which according to many experts is not a viable and fruitful option.
India as of now is the world’s largest user of groundwater, accounting for around 25% of global withdrawals, with an estimated extraction of 245 billion cubic meters (BCM).
This groundwater fulfills nearly 80% of drinking water needs and around 64% of irrigation requirements. However, the Public Accounts Committee last week has flagged concerns over excessive extraction, urging the Jal Shakti Ministry to persuade states to curb it.
The committee’s report highlights that four states – Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan – have exceeded 100% extraction, while 267 districts across 24 states and Union Territories reported extraction ranging from 64% to 385%.
To address this, the government is implementing initiatives like Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM).
Since the groundwater utilisation is increasing day by day the issue needs immediate attention. As the world’s largest user of groundwater, accounting for 25% of global withdrawals, experts have warned that the extraction rates are unsustainable.
The consequences therefore can prove to be dire as already four states have exceeded 100% extraction, and 267 districts face severe depletion.
Notably, over-harnessing groundwater threatens agriculture, drinking water security, and ecosystem balance. It leads to land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and decreased water tables.
The environmental and economic costs too are staggering. Hence, a comprehensive plan to address the issue needs to be implemented so that sustainable practices are adopted:
As of now several measures need to be taken immediately which includes promoting water-efficient crops and irrigation. This plan is already in place at many places but the results obtained out of it can be made even better.
A major focus should also shift to implement rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge. Enforcing the groundwater regulations and wastewater can further prove to be the steps in the right direction.
We also need to prioritize groundwater conservation to ensure a sustainable future. Importantly, recent assessments show some improvement at some places where these measures have been put to test. The groundwater extraction has started to witness decline from 63.33% in 2017 to 59.26% in 2023.
However, much more needs to be done to achieve the objective of conserving and preserving this natural resource.
