Date : 02/11/2023

Relevance: GS Paper 3 – Environment and Ecology

Keywords:Green Revolution, Groundwater depletion, Climate Crisis, Atal Bhujal Yojna

Context-

A recent report issued by the United Nations University has cautioned that 27 out of the country's 31 aquifers are declining at a rate faster than they can be naturally replenished. Concerns about this issue have been raised for at least a decade.

Groundwater Depletion in India

Overview: India currently leads the world in groundwater extraction, surpassing both China and the US combined. According to the Central Ground Water Board, approximately 70 percent of the country's water usage relies on groundwater sources. However, this excessive extraction poses significant challenges and risks to India's environmental sustainability and water security

Causes of Groundwater Depletion:

• Green Revolution Impact: The expansion of groundwater-based irrigation, while crucial for meeting the food demands of India's large population, has led to various environmental consequences.
• Irrigation Pumping: Groundwater pumping for agricultural irrigation remains a major factor driving depletion, posing threats to both food and water security, especially in the face of climate change.
• Aquifer Depletion: Groundwater is sourced from aquifers, which are saturated rocks storing water underground. The continuous pumping of water from these reserves depletes them, impacting their ability to sustain India's water needs.
• Climate Change Influence: While human activities primarily drive groundwater depletion, climate change-related factors also contribute, accelerating the depletion process. These challenges underline the urgent need for sustainable water management practices in India to preserve this vital resource for future generations.

Challenges and Concerns

1. Lack of Institutional Innovations: The historic focus on tubewells and borewells played a vital role in ensuring food security. However, the Mihir Shah Committee of 2016 pointed out the lack of emphasis on institutional innovations in the water sector, hindering sustainable solutions.
2. Mismanagement of Groundwater: The connection between power subsidies and declining water tables, notably in states like Punjab, has been evident. Addressing demand-side management remains a complex challenge, posing difficulties in effective solutions.
3. Reports on Groundwater Depletion: Reports from reputable institutions, including the United Nations University, Niti Aayog, and the Central Water Commission, highlight the alarming state of the country’s aquifers. The data reveals rapid depletion, with 27 out of 31 aquifers diminishing faster than they can be replenished, and 78% of wells in some states being overexploited.
4. Potential Impact of Climate Crisis: Researchers have established connections between groundwater extraction and the climate crisis, particularly in regions like the southwest, where hard rock aquifers limit recharging. Rising temperatures further exacerbate the issue by reducing soil moisture, hindering groundwater replenishment.

Government Initiatives for Groundwater Conservation

1. Atal Bhujal Yojana: Initiated by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry in 2020, this program aims to instigate behavioral changes at the community level in 78 water-stressed districts across seven states. Initial data indicates a reduction of 6 billion cubic meters in groundwater extraction for various purposes by 2022.
2. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): As the apex organization under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, CGWB addresses groundwater-related issues, playing a crucial role in management and regulation efforts.
3. Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): Launched in 2019 in collaboration with states, JSA focuses on enhancing water availability, including groundwater conditions, in 256 water-stressed districts, aiming for comprehensive improvements.
4. National Water Policy: Formulated to advocate rainwater harvesting and water conservation, the policy emphasizes augmenting water availability through direct utilization of rainfall, promoting sustainable practices.
5. National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM): Implemented by CGWB as part of the Ground Water Management and Regulation (GWM&R) scheme, NAQUIM plays a vital role in mapping and managing the country’s aquifers, ensuring efficient utilization and preservation.

Effective Solutions for Groundwater Conservation

1. Individual-Centric Conservation: Encouraging individuals to reduce water usage for non-essential purposes, such as decorative water features and swimming pools, can significantly conserve water. Simple practices like turning off faucets, limiting appliance usage, and avoiding wasteful habits at home are essential in saving substantial amounts of water.
2. Individual Groundwater Monitoring: Raising awareness about groundwater resources is crucial. Utilizing technologies that enable people to monitor water levels in their borewells can promote responsible aquifer management. These tools can serve as catalysts for behavioral changes, emphasizing the importance of groundwater conservation.
3. Managing Water Pollution: Preventing water pollution is vital. Businesses and residential areas must minimize chemical usage and ensure proper disposal methods. By reducing the introduction of toxic substances into water systems, we can safeguard our water supply from contamination.
4. Need for Regulations, Research, and Funding: Allocating adequate funding for research and monitoring efforts is essential. This funding can support setting limits and adopting sustainable practices, ensuring responsible groundwater use. Stricter regulations governing groundwater pumping, accompanied by specific guidelines and enforcement, are imperative for effective conservation.
5. Exploring Alternative Water Sources: Reducing reliance on groundwater is crucial. Exploring alternative water sources helps in natural aquifer replenishment and promotes sustainable practices and technologies that minimize water usage. This approach diversifies water supply, making it more resilient and adaptable to changing demands.
6. Management of Agricultural Practices: Implementing water-saving technologies like sprinkler and drip irrigation, along with transitioning to less water-intensive crops, enhances the effective use of limited groundwater resources. Promoting crops like millets, which require less water, and encouraging efficient watering techniques are steps toward sustainable agricultural practices. These initiatives are essential for conserving groundwater and ensuring long-term agricultural viability.

Way Forward

The severity of the crisis demands intensified actions from both the central and state authorities. Addressing the water availability and food security challenge necessitates collaborative efforts, underpinned by science-driven policymaking. Decisions on which strategies and technological solutions to expand, aiming to enhance irrigation efficiency, should be guided by scientific insights and research.

Source - Indian Express