APPROACH: SEAWATER INTRUSION Introduction Briefly define seawater… — Beyond UPSC - Ritesh R Jaiswal

Beyond UPSC - Ritesh R Jaiswal@beyond_upsc · 17.8K subscribers Open in TelegramOpen

APPROACH: SEAWATER INTRUSION

Introduction
Briefly define seawater intrusion and highlight its threat to coastal freshwater resources.

Causes
➡️ Groundwater over-extraction: Declining water table weakens freshwater pressure.
➡️ Urbanisation: Concretisation reduces natural groundwater recharge.
➡️ Climate change: Sea-level rise increases saline-water ingress.
➡️ Unsustainable agriculture: Excessive irrigation increases groundwater stress.
➡️ Geological factors: Porous coastal formations facilitate saltwater movement.
➡️ Land-use changes: Deforestation and reduced recharge worsen the imbalance.

Remedial Measures
➡️ Regulate groundwater extraction through aquifer-based management.
➡️ Promote rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge.
➡️ Adopt efficient irrigation and water conservation.
➡️ Increase use of desalination and treated wastewater.
➡️ Protect mangroves, wetlands and coastal recharge zones.
➡️ Strengthen groundwater-level and salinity monitoring.
➡️ Ensure community participation and regulatory enforcement.

Conclusion
Integrated coastal aquifer management combining recharge, demand regulation, alternative water sources and ecosystem protection is essential for long-term freshwater security.

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