India’s Groundwater Crisis

• Significant Issue: India faces a severe groundwater crisis due to overexploitation and contamination.
• Population Growth: From 1.29 billion in 2016 to 1.45 billion in 2024, increasing pressure on water resources.

Current Groundwater Usage

• Global Leader: India extracts nearly 25% of the world’s groundwater.
• Annual Extraction: 241.34 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2023.
• Dependence on Groundwater:
  • 62% of irrigation needs met through groundwater.
  • 85% of rural water supply relies on groundwater.
  • 50% of urban water supply is sourced from groundwater.

Key Factors Contributing to the Crisis

1. Water-Intensive Agriculture:
   • High-yield crops (e.g., paddy, sugarcane) lead to excessive withdrawal.
   • 90% of groundwater usage is for irrigation.
2. Population Growth and Urbanization:
   • Rising demand for drinking water and sanitation.
   • Major cities, like Bengaluru, depend on tankers due to declining groundwater levels.
3. Climate Change:
   • Erratic monsoons reduce recharge rates; 2023 saw a rainfall shortfall of 5.6%.
4. Industrial Contamination:
   • Industrial effluent discharge contaminates groundwater with heavy metals.
5. Fertilizer and Pesticide Runoff:
   • Increased chemical fertilizer consumption leads to nitrate seepage.
6. Mining Activities:
   • Heavy metal contamination from mining operations, especially in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
7. Coastal Salinity:
   • Saline water intrusion due to over-pumping and rising sea levels.

Regulatory Framework

• Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA):
  • Regulates groundwater extraction since 1997.
  • Monitors overexploited zones and mandates rainwater harvesting.
• Central Ground Water Board (CGWB):
  • Conducts assessments and implements recharge projects.
• State-Level Regulations:
  • Various states have specific groundwater acts.
  • Model Groundwater Bill (2017) promotes sustainable practices.

Government Initiatives

• Atal Bhujal Yojana (2020): Targets groundwater management in water-stressed districts.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Focuses on rainwater harvesting and conservation.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): Aims to expand irrigation coverage and improve efficiency.
• Mission Amrit Sarovar: Enhances water harvesting and conservation.

Suggested Measures for Improvement

• Water-Efficient Agriculture: Promote drip irrigation and crop diversification.
• Recharge Techniques: Implement Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and rainwater harvesting.
• Real-time Monitoring: Utilize AI and IoT for aquifer health mapping.
• Community Engagement: Raise awareness and involve communities in conservation efforts.
• Policy Reforms: Revise electricity subsidies that encourage unregulated extraction.

Conclusion

• Urgent Action Needed: Immediate and sustained efforts are critical to mitigate groundwater depletion and contamination.
• Innovative Solutions: Adoption of new technologies and sustainable agricultural practices is essential for the future.

Mains Answer Writing Question

“India faces a critical groundwater crisis exacerbated by over-extraction, pollution, and climate change. Discuss the key factors contributing to this crisis and suggest sustainable solutions for effective groundwater management.”