APPROACH: GROUNDWATER DEPLETION IN INDIA
Introduction
• India is the world's largest groundwater extractor.
• Groundwater supports ~62% irrigation, 85% rural drinking water and 45% urban use.
• Over 1,000 blocks are over-exploited, making depletion a major sustainability concern.
Factors Responsible
1. Water-intensive agriculture
• Paddy and sugarcane in water-stressed regions intensify extraction.
• Example: Punjab's high groundwater withdrawal for paddy.
2. Subsidised electricity
• Free/flat-rate power encourages excessive pumping.
3. Urbanisation & industrialisation
• Concretisation reduces recharge while demand rises.
• Example: Bengaluru's severe borewell dependence.
4. Climate change
• Erratic rainfall, droughts and rising temperatures increase irrigation demand.
5. Weak regulation
• Fragmented governance and poor enforcement enable over-extraction.
6. Tube-well expansion
• Post-Green Revolution borewells increased extraction beyond recharge.
7. Inefficient irrigation
• Flood irrigation causes high water losses.
Government Measures
1. Cropping regulation
• Punjab and Haryana restrict early paddy transplantation to reduce groundwater stress.
2. Atal Bhujal Yojana & NAQUIM
• Promote participatory groundwater management and scientific aquifer mapping.
3. Rainwater harvesting
• Mandatory measures in states like Tamil Nadu enhance recharge.
4. Micro-irrigation
• PMKSY promotes drip and sprinkler systems for efficient water use.
5. Community conservation
• Check dams and watershed projects enhance local recharge.
• Gujarat provides a successful example.
6. Crop diversification
• Incentives for less water-intensive crops and resource-conservation technologies.
7. Artificial recharge
• Percolation tanks, recharge basins and injection wells replenish aquifers.
Conclusion
• Groundwater security requires efficient irrigation, climate-resilient cropping, aquifer-based planning and community participation.
• The focus must shift from extraction to sustainable groundwater management.
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2August 13, 2026 5.1K 8
