The recent data collected by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has indicated a declining trend in groundwater levels in certain parts of India. A comparison between the data from November 2021 and the decadal mean from November 2011 to November 2020 shows that almost 70% of wells have registered a rise in water levels, while around 30% indicate a dip, primarily between 0-2 meters.
Current Scenario: India’s Groundwater Depletion
Currently, around 230 billion cubic meters of groundwater is exploited annually for agricultural irrigation in India. This consumption accounts for an astonishing 89% of total groundwater extraction, making it the highest category of user in the country. Following irrigation, domestic consumption accounts for 9% of groundwater use, with industrial needs making up the remaining 2%. These statistics, provided by CGWB, highlight the urgent issue of rapidly depleting groundwater resources.
Key Causes of Groundwater Depletion
Several factors contribute to this alarming trend. The Green Revolution introduced water-intensive crops into drought-prone areas, resulting in excessive groundwater extraction. Other causes include pollution due to industrial activity, weak regulation of groundwater usage, as well as electricity subsidies and high Minimum Support Pricing (MSP) for water-intensive crops.
About Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
Established in 1970, CGWB is the National Apex Agency responsible for the exploration, monitoring, regulation, and management of groundwater resources in the country. Its activities include ground water development regulation in India through the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), constituted under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
Government Initiatives to Address Groundwater Depletion
The central government, through schemes such as Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) and Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), is promoting sustainable management of groundwater resources with community participation. The CGWB has also initiated the Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme to delineate aquifer disposition and prepare specific groundwater management plans. Alongside central initiatives, several state governments have launched their own programs to address water problems.
Strategies for Groundwater Conservation
Artificial recharge of groundwater and local-level groundwater management plants are two crucial ways forward. While the former involves enhancing infiltration and percolation to the aquifer, the latter would give local communities an understanding of groundwater availability in their regions, helping them utilise it competently.
Past Questions from UPSC Civil Services Examination
For reference, past questions related to this topic from the UPSC Civil Services Examination have been provided. These include “What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India?” (2019) and “What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security?” (2020).