Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Groundwater constitutes a vital freshwater resource for India, providing over 60% of irrigation, 80% of domestic water supply, and a significant portion of industrial needs. However, this crucial resource is facing a severe crisis due to unsustainable practices. The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) reports that groundwater extraction has increased from 9 to 58 billion cubic meters (BCM) between 1950 and 2017. This escalating demand, coupled with inadequate management, poses a significant threat to water security and sustainable development. Examining the critical issues surrounding groundwater resources is therefore paramount for informed policy-making and effective resource management.
Critical Issues of Groundwater Resources in India
1. Over-Extraction and Depletion
The most pressing issue is the rampant over-extraction of groundwater. This is driven by several factors:
- Free or Subsidized Electricity: Leads to indiscriminate pumping, particularly in agriculture.
- Irrigation Demand: Agriculture is the largest consumer of groundwater, especially for water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane.
- Population Growth & Urbanization: Increasing demand for domestic and industrial water supply.
- Lack of Awareness: Limited understanding among farmers and communities about sustainable groundwater management.
According to the NITI Aayog’s 2018 report, ‘Groundwater: A Key to Water Security in India’, nearly 15% of blocks in India are critically depleted, and another 25% are classified as over-exploited.
2. Groundwater Contamination
Groundwater quality is deteriorating due to various pollutants:
- Agricultural Runoff: Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides contaminates groundwater with nitrates and pesticides.
- Industrial Effluents: Untreated industrial discharge introduces heavy metals and toxic chemicals.
- Sewage Pollution: Lack of adequate sewage treatment facilities leads to contamination with pathogens and organic matter.
- Geogenic Contamination: Naturally occurring elements like arsenic and fluoride in certain geological formations contaminate groundwater.
States like Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal face significant challenges related to arsenic and fluoride contamination, respectively. The presence of heavy metals like chromium in groundwater near industrial areas is also a growing concern.
3. Regulatory and Institutional Failures
Weak regulatory frameworks and inadequate institutional capacity hinder effective groundwater management:
- Fragmented Governance: Groundwater management is distributed across multiple departments at the central and state levels, leading to coordination issues.
- Lack of Enforcement: Existing regulations are often poorly enforced, allowing for illegal extraction and pollution.
- Insufficient Monitoring: Limited groundwater monitoring networks and data gaps hinder accurate assessment of groundwater levels and quality.
- Groundwater Act (2011): The proposed National Groundwater Act, aimed at providing a comprehensive legal framework, is yet to be enacted.
4. Climate Change Impacts
Climate change exacerbates groundwater challenges:
- Erratic Rainfall: Increased frequency of droughts and floods affects groundwater recharge rates.
- Increased Evaporation: Higher temperatures lead to increased evaporation, reducing surface water availability and increasing reliance on groundwater.
- Sea Level Rise: In coastal areas, sea level rise leads to saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers.
Changing rainfall patterns and increased demand due to warmer temperatures are putting further stress on already depleted groundwater resources.
5. Regional Variations
Groundwater issues vary significantly across different regions of India:
| Region | Key Issues |
|---|---|
| North-Western India (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan) | Over-extraction for irrigation, declining groundwater levels, fluoride contamination. |
| Indo-Gangetic Plain (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar) | High population density, intensive agriculture, arsenic contamination. |
| Southern India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh) | Water scarcity, over-exploitation, saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. |
| Eastern India (West Bengal, Odisha) | Arsenic contamination, monsoon-dependent recharge, limited irrigation infrastructure. |
6. Government Initiatives
The government has launched several initiatives to address groundwater challenges:
- National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM): Aims to characterize and map aquifers across the country.
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): A campaign to promote water conservation and rainwater harvesting.
- Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY): A central sector scheme to improve groundwater management in water-stressed blocks.
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Focuses on improving irrigation efficiency and promoting water conservation in agriculture.
Conclusion
Groundwater resources in India are facing a multifaceted crisis characterized by over-extraction, contamination, regulatory failures, and climate change impacts. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic and integrated approach involving stricter regulations, improved monitoring, community participation, and sustainable agricultural practices. The successful implementation of government initiatives like ABY and JSA, coupled with the enactment of a comprehensive Groundwater Act, is crucial for ensuring long-term water security and sustainable development in India. A shift towards water-efficient cropping patterns and promoting rainwater harvesting are also essential steps towards responsible groundwater management.
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.