Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Groundwater constitutes a vital freshwater resource for India, providing over 60% of irrigation and a significant portion of domestic and industrial water needs. However, India is the largest consumer of groundwater globally, and its depletion is a pressing environmental and economic concern. The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) reports that groundwater levels are declining at an alarming rate in many parts of the country. This depletion is driven by a complex interplay of factors, ranging from unsustainable agricultural practices to inadequate regulatory frameworks and the impacts of climate change. Addressing this issue is critical for ensuring long-term water security and sustainable development.
Major Causes of Groundwater Depletion in India
Groundwater depletion in India is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. These can be broadly categorized into agricultural, industrial, urban, policy-related, and climate-related causes.
1. Agricultural Practices
- Irrigation Demand: Agriculture is the largest consumer of groundwater in India, accounting for approximately 89% of total groundwater extraction (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission Report, 2005 - knowledge cutoff). The ‘Green Revolution’ of the 1960s and 70s, while boosting food production, led to the widespread adoption of high-yielding varieties requiring intensive irrigation.
- Paddy Cultivation: Water-intensive crops like paddy, particularly in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, contribute significantly to groundwater depletion.
- Free Electricity: Subsidized or free electricity for irrigation pumps has incentivized excessive groundwater extraction, leading to a ‘tragedy of the commons’ situation.
- Lack of Water-Efficient Techniques: Limited adoption of micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler irrigation exacerbates the problem.
2. Industrial Demand
- Water-Intensive Industries: Industries like thermal power plants, textiles, sugar, and distilleries require substantial amounts of water, often sourced from groundwater.
- Lack of Regulation: Inadequate regulation and monitoring of groundwater extraction by industries contribute to over-exploitation.
- Pollution: Industrial effluents often contaminate groundwater sources, rendering them unusable and further reducing the available water supply.
3. Urbanization and Population Growth
- Increased Demand: Rapid urbanization and population growth lead to increased demand for water for domestic use, sanitation, and industrial activities in urban areas.
- Impervious Surfaces: Increased concrete surfaces reduce groundwater recharge by limiting infiltration.
- Poor Wastewater Management: Inadequate wastewater treatment and recycling contribute to groundwater contamination and reduce the availability of clean water.
4. Policy and Governance Failures
- Lack of Comprehensive Legislation: Despite the Model Groundwater Bill (2016), a national-level legislation for groundwater management is still lacking, hindering effective regulation.
- Weak Enforcement: Existing regulations are often poorly enforced due to lack of capacity and political will.
- Groundwater Ownership: The lack of clear definition of groundwater ownership rights creates ambiguity and hinders sustainable management.
- Centralized Approach: A top-down, centralized approach to groundwater management often fails to address local specificities and needs.
5. Climate Change Impacts
- Erratic Rainfall: Changing rainfall patterns, including increased frequency of droughts and floods, affect groundwater recharge rates.
- Increased Evaporation: Rising temperatures lead to increased evaporation rates, reducing surface water availability and increasing reliance on groundwater.
- Glacier Melt: Accelerated glacier melt in the Himalayas, a major source of river water, can initially increase river flows but ultimately lead to reduced water availability in the long run.
6. Regional Variations
Groundwater depletion is not uniform across India. Some of the most affected regions include:
| Region | Key Drivers of Depletion |
|---|---|
| North-Western India (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan) | Paddy cultivation, free electricity, intensive irrigation |
| Western India (Gujarat, Maharashtra) | Industrial demand, urbanization, drought-prone conditions |
| Southern India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh) | Irrigation, urbanization, erratic rainfall |
Conclusion
Groundwater depletion in India is a multifaceted crisis demanding urgent and comprehensive action. Addressing this requires a paradigm shift towards sustainable agricultural practices, responsible industrial water management, improved urban planning, and robust regulatory frameworks. Community participation, coupled with technological interventions like artificial recharge and water-efficient irrigation, are crucial. A holistic, integrated approach, considering the impacts of climate change and regional variations, is essential to ensure long-term water security for India’s growing population and economy.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.