The recent report on the decline in groundwater recharge and water availability in India for 2024 is a stark reminder of the pressing need for sustainable water management practices. The Central Ground Water Board’s annual assessment reveals a marginal decline in total yearly groundwater recharge from 449.08 billion cubic meters (BCM) in 2023 to 446.9 BCM in 2024. This slight decline is significant given the increasing demand for water in various sectors.
One of the primary reasons for this decline is the higher extraction of groundwater, particularly in northwest India, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh. These regions have been notorious for their over-exploitation of groundwater resources, primarily due to the cultivation of water-intensive crops like paddy. The report highlights that the percentage of ‘critical’ and ‘over-exploited’ assessment units has increased, raising concerns about the sustainability of groundwater resources in these areas.
The situation is further exacerbated by the reduction in return flow from irrigation, which has been identified as a key factor contributing to the decline in groundwater recharge. Rainfall is the main source of replenishable groundwater resources, accounting for nearly 61% of the total annual groundwater recharge. However, the variability in monsoon patterns and the reduction in return flow from irrigation have adversely affected the overall groundwater recharge.
The government’s efforts to address this issue through initiatives like the ‘Catch the Rain – Where it Falls When it Falls’ campaign are commendable. This campaign aims to create rainwater harvesting and conservation infrastructure through people’s participation and state cooperation. While these efforts are a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to ensure the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources.
One of the critical areas that require immediate attention is the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. The cultivation of water-intensive crops in regions with limited water availability needs to be discouraged. Instead, farmers should be encouraged to adopt crop diversification and water-efficient irrigation techniques. The government can play a pivotal role in this by providing incentives and support for the adoption of such practices.
Additionally, there is a need for stricter regulations and monitoring of groundwater extraction. The report indicates that the percentage of ‘over-exploited’ and ‘critical’ administrative units is more than 25% of the total units in states like Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu. This situation calls for stringent measures to control and regulate groundwater extraction in these regions.
Public awareness and community participation are also crucial in addressing the groundwater crisis. Educating the public about the importance of water conservation and the need for sustainable water management practices can go a long way in mitigating the issue. Community-led initiatives for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge can significantly contribute to improving the groundwater situation.