India's groundwater extraction dropped by 3.25% in 2023 compared to 2020, but 736 units remain overexploited, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable water management.
Introduction
India’s water crisis, especially concerning groundwater resources, is a looming threat to its development and sustainability. The overdependence on groundwater for agriculture, drinking water, and industrial use, coupled with population growth, erratic rainfall, and poor water management, has exacerbated the problem. This article delves into the current scenario, regulatory framework, challenges, and solutions for addressing the water crisis in India, with a focus on groundwater.
Current Scenario of Groundwater Usage in India
India is the largest user of groundwater globally, extracting nearly 25% of the world’s groundwater annually. This dependency is reflected in the statistics:
Overexploited Units: 736 assessment units (11.23%) show groundwater extraction exceeding replenishable recharge.
Dependency:
62% of irrigation needs are met through groundwater.
85% of rural water supply and 50% of urban water supply depend on groundwater.
This overreliance is unsustainable and highlights the urgent need for effective management of groundwater in India.
Regulatory Framework for Groundwater Management
Groundwater management in India operates through central and state-level frameworks:
Central-Level Regulation:
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA): Regulates groundwater extraction in notified areas, mandates rainwater harvesting, and monitors overexploited zones.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): Conducts assessments, mapping, and recharge projects, including the Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater (2020).
State-Level Regulation:
States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh have specific groundwater acts.
The Model Groundwater Bill (2017) emphasizes participatory and sustainable use.
Despite these efforts, gaps in enforcement and monitoring persist, worsening the water crisis in India.
Factors Contributing to Groundwater Shortage and Contamination
Water-Intensive Agriculture:
High-yield crops like paddy and sugarcane drive excessive groundwater withdrawal.
Subsidized electricity and free water in states like Punjab and Haryana encourage over-extraction.
Example: Haryana faces a 14 billion cubic meter annual water deficit, with groundwater extraction reaching 241.34 bcm in 2023.
Population Growth and Urbanization:
Between 2016 and 2023, India’s population grew from 1.29 billion to 1.45 billion, straining aquifers.
Groundwater contributes 45% to urban water consumption, leading to overexploitation in cities like Bengaluru.
Climate Change and Erratic Rainfall:
Reduced recharge rates due to unpredictable monsoons exacerbate the crisis.
Example: Tamil Nadu faces deeper aquifer exploitation due to declining rainfall.
Industrial Effluent Discharge:
Unregulated discharges contaminate groundwater with heavy metals like chromium and mercury.
Example: Kanpur’s industrial zones have severely polluted aquifers.
Fertilizer and Pesticide Runoff:
Excessive use of fertilizers leads to nitrate contamination. About 56% of India’s districts have nitrate levels exceeding safe limits.
Mining Activities:
Mining operations contaminate aquifers with uranium and fluoride.
Example: High uranium levels in Karnataka’s groundwater have been reported in Ballari, Kolar, and Mandya.
Salinity from Coastal Intrusion:
Over-pumping in coastal regions leads to saline water intrusion.
Example: Gujarat faces salinity issues in 85% of its districts, affecting agriculture and drinking water.
Government Initiatives for Groundwater Management
The government has launched several programs to combat the water crisis in India and manage groundwater resources:
Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): Focuses on rainwater harvesting and water conservation under the "Catch the Rain" campaign.
Atal Bhujal Yojana (2020): Targets groundwater management in water-stressed Gram Panchayats across 7 states.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): Promotes efficient irrigation and repair of water bodies.
National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM): Maps aquifers to support recharge and conservation planning.
Mission Amrit Sarovar (2022): Aims to create or rejuvenate 75 Amrit Sarovars per district for water harvesting.
Measures for Effective Groundwater Management
To address the water crisis in India, especially concerning groundwater, the following measures are critical:
Promoting Water-Efficient Agriculture:
Adopt practices like drip irrigation and micro-irrigation to reduce water usage.
Example: Linking PMKSY with Atal Bhujal Yojana can ensure efficient irrigation in critical regions.
Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) with Solar Desalination:
Combine MAR with solar-powered desalination to address salinity and contamination.
Example: Implement this in Gujarat’s Kutch region to combat saline intrusion.
AI and IoT for Aquifer Mapping:
Use sensors and AI-powered platforms to monitor water levels and quality in real-time.
Example: Maharashtra can adopt this in Vidarbha to monitor stressed aquifers.
Rainwater Harvesting and Recharge:
Scale up harvesting structures in urban and rural areas.
Example: Expand Tamil Nadu’s rainwater harvesting systems nationwide.
Crop Diversification:
Transition from water-intensive crops like paddy to millets and pulses.
Link National Food Security Mission with higher MSP for less water-intensive crops.
Revising Electricity Subsidies:
Reform free electricity policies to discourage unregulated pumping.
Example: Gujarat’s Jyotigram Yojana can be replicated nationwide.
Urban Water Management:
Promote wastewater recycling for industrial and irrigation use.
Example: Bengaluru’s BWSSB aims to recycle 1 crore MLD of sewage water.
Community Awareness and Participation:
Educate communities on sustainable groundwater practices.
Link Jal Shakti Abhiyan with self-help groups for grassroots involvement.
International Best Practices
India can learn from global practices to improve groundwater management:
Regulated Extraction (California, USA): Sustainable Groundwater Management Act enforces local plans for aquifer use.
Precision Irrigation (Israel): Drip irrigation and soil moisture monitoring save water while increasing yields.
Water Trading (Australia): Allows trading of water rights within sustainable limits.
Conclusion
The water crisis in India, particularly concerning groundwater, is a multidimensional issue that requires urgent and sustained action. While government initiatives like Atal Bhujal Yojana and Jal Shakti Abhiyan have made progress, addressing the root causes—water-intensive agriculture, overpopulation, and contamination—requires innovative and community-driven solutions. By adopting global best practices, leveraging technology, and promoting efficient water use, India can secure its groundwater resources for future generations.
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