In recent news, a study conducted by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) reveals a concerning decline in the water levels of approximately 33% of the wells monitored. In some metropolitan areas such as New Delhi, Chennai, Indore, Madurai, Vijayawada, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, and Lucknow, this descent has even exceeded 4 metres.
The CGWB is tasked with the regular monitoring of groundwater levels across India, including in metro cities. This is accomplished via a network of monitoring wells operating on a regional scale.
Key Details About India’s Groundwater Extraction
According to the UNESCO World Water Development Report 2018, India holds the record as the world’s largest extractor of groundwater. Despite this, its contribution to the national economy remains unmeasured. The CGWB states that each year, India withdraws 230 billion cubic metres of groundwater for agriculture, leading to rapid depletion in many regions. It’s estimated that India’s total groundwater depletion ranges between 122 and 199 billion cubic metres annually.
Factors Contributing to Over-Extraction of Groundwater
One major factor contributing to the over-extraction of groundwater is the Green Revolution. It allowed water-intensive crops to be grown in drought-prone or water deficit regions, resulting in over-exploitation. Furthermore, subsidies on electricity and high Minimum Support Price for water-rich crops have encouraged this activity.
Industrial requirements also contribute significantly to water contamination and depletion. Instances of pollution such as leaky gas tanks and overuse of fertilisers and pesticides are common culprits.
Moreover, inadequate regulation encourages the exhaustion of groundwater resources without any repercussions. For example, there is no requirement for clearance before constructing irrigation wells, and no records are maintained for wells once they are abandoned after running dry.
The Central Government’s Efforts to Control Groundwater Depletion
A series of measures initiated by the central government have sought to combat groundwater depletion. These include schemes like Jal Shakti Abhiyan; Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater – 2020; National Water Policy (2012), Atal Bhujal Yojana; support to construction of water harvesting and conservation projects through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana ā Watershed Development Component; the Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme; and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
Furthermore, various State Governments have also initiated noteworthy work in the realm of water conservation and harvesting for sustainable water resources management.
The Road Ahead: Proposed Solutions for Groundwater Conservation
The Indian Prime Minister has called for making water conservation a mass movement. In this context, decentralising water conservation to rural level or strengthening Pani Panchayats (water councils) could be an effective approach.
Other proposed solutions include restricting illegal encroachments of water bodies, promoting micro-irrigation techniques like sprinkler or drip irrigation, working towards artificial recharge of groundwater and installing groundwater management plants at local levels.
