IIT Kharagpur’s Study on Groundwater Depletion in North India has shown high drought risk.
Groundwater Depletion in North India, IIT Kharagpur Study
- Title: “Assessment of Future Trends and Spatial Orientation of Groundwater Resources as an Essential Climate Variable in the Ganga Basin”
- Published: This study was published on May 16, 2023, in Groundwater for Sustainable Development (Elsevier)
- The research aligns with India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” initiative, which aims to develop a sustainable future for the country.
- The data can be used to inform infrastructure projects and urban planning strategies that promote water conservation.
Groundwater Depletion in North India, Key Findings of the Study
- Alarming Rate of Groundwater Loss
- Groundwater: A study found that large parts of North India are facing alarming groundwater depletion.
- Throughout the year, approximately 75% of the Ganga basin experiences groundwater drought, with the prevalence slightly decreasing during the monsoon and increasing to about 78.5% post-monsoon.
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Droughts
- Droughts are prolonged periods of dryness that can happen anywhere on Earth.
- They’re part of the natural climate cycle.
- Droughts develop slowly over time as a region receives less rain than usual.
- This leads to a shortage of water.
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- Severity Increase: Before the monsoon, the severity of groundwater drought is reported to have escalated by 22 times compared to other times of the year.
- Major cities: Cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, and others are highly vulnerable to droughts due to dropping water tables.
Groundwater
- It is the water that is found in saturated zones below the land surface of the earth.
- The upper portion of the saturated zone is known as the water table.
- It is the source of drinking water to the country and city.
- In India, it accounts for 63% for irrigation and 80% for urban and rural water supplies.
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- Causes of Depletion
- Overexploitation of groundwater: Excessive use of groundwater for irrigation and other purposes.
- Shifting climate patterns: Changes in rainfall patterns can impact groundwater recharge.
- Unsustainable urban planning: Lack of Urban development and planning is a major cause for declining natural groundwater as Ganga basin is one of the most densely populated river basins in the world.
- Impact of Depletion
- Increased risk of droughts: Declining groundwater levels make many regions more susceptible to droughts.
- Socio-economic impact: Water scarcity can affect agriculture, businesses, and people’s way of life.
- Recommendations
Study has recommended various methods to counter the issue of groundwater depletion.
- Groundwater recharge: Implementing rainwater harvesting and other methods to replenish groundwater.
- Sustainable water use: Practicing water conservation techniques in agriculture and daily life.
- Improved urban planning: Designing cities that promote groundwater recharge.
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The study emphasizes the immediate requirement for implementing sustainable groundwater management practices to prevent severe droughts and ensure water security in northern India.
June 14, 2024
