Introduction

India has 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of freshwater resources. Groundwater forms the backbone of India’s water supply, crucial for agriculture, industry, and domestic use. Over 60% of irrigation and 85% of rural drinking water depend on groundwater. 

Body

Factors Responsible for Groundwater Depletion

• Over-extraction for agriculture: Excessive groundwater use for irrigation, especially for water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane.
• Rapid urbanization: Increasing demand for domestic and industrial water in cities leads to unsustainable extraction.
• Industrial usage: High groundwater withdrawal by industries without adequate recharge mechanisms.
• Deforestation and land-use changes: Reduced natural recharge due to loss of forests and impervious surfaces in urban areas.
• Erratic rainfall and climate change: Less rainfall and changing weather patterns reduce natural groundwater replenishment.
• Poor water management practices: Inefficient irrigation methods, leakages, and lack of rainwater harvesting lead to depletion.

Groundwater depletion in India leads to water scarcity, reduced agricultural productivity, land subsidence, and socio-economic stress. To combat this, the government has taken various steps.

Government Steps to Mitigate Groundwater Depletion

Policy-related steps 

• Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY): A ₹6,000 crore national scheme (2020–25) targeting sustainable groundwater management in 8 states, focusing on overexploited areas with community participation.
• Promotion of Rainwater Harvesting: Incentives for rooftop harvesting in cities like Delhi and Chennai have increased local water availability and reduced dependence on groundwater.
• Watershed Development Programs: Programs like the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) in Madhya Pradesh have enhanced groundwater recharge and improved agricultural productivity.

Institutional Steps 

• Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): Monitors groundwater through over 15,000 observation wells across India, providing data for planning and policy interventions.
• Research and Data Networks: Institutions like IIT Roorkee and National Institute of Hydrology provide modeling, monitoring, and decision-support tools for groundwater management.
• Community-Based Institutions: Gram panchayats in Rajasthan and Maharashtra participate in ABHY, managing local recharge structures and regulating water use.

Conclusion

Groundwater depletion threatens India’s water security and development. Combining regulation, scientific management, community participation, and artificial recharge can restore aquifers and ensure sustainable water availability.

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