Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
GS Paper 3 – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Context
The 5th gathering of the National Level Steering Committee (NLSC) for the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) took place to assess the comprehensive advancement of the program.
Introduction
India faces critical groundwater depletion due to excessive extraction for agriculture, urbanization, and climate change. This escalating issue leads to water scarcity, environmental threats like land subsidence and saltwater intrusion, and economic impacts, necessitating immediate sustainable management strategies.
Atal Bhujal Yojana:
- ATAL JAL is a Central Sector Scheme designed to enhance sustainable groundwater management with a budget of ₹6000 crore.
- The initiative is under the oversight of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and is jointly funded by the Government of India and the World Bank in a 50:50 ratio.
- Funding and Implementation: The scheme is financed equally by the Indian government and the World Bank, with the entire World Bank loan component and central assistance allocated to the States as grants.
- Objectives:
- ATAL JAL aims to improve groundwater resource management in water-stressed regions, specifically in identified states like Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
- The primary focus is on promoting panchayat-led groundwater management and instigating behavioral changes, primarily emphasizing demand-side management.
Groundwater Depletion in India:
- Primary Water Source: Groundwater depletion in India poses a significant challenge as it serves as the primary drinking water source.
- Causes of Depletion: Over-extraction for irrigation, urbanization, and the impact of climate change are the primary causes contributing to the depletion of groundwater in the country.
- Magnitude of Depletion:
- Global Water Usage: India stands as the world’s largest user of groundwater, surpassing the combined usage of the United States and China, as per a recent UN report.
- Dependency and Sustainability: Approximately 70% of India’s total water consumption is sourced from groundwater. However, the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) estimates that around 25% of the nation’s groundwater extraction is unsustainable, exceeding its replenishment rate.
- Need for Sustainable Practices: The depletion of groundwater in India requires immediate attention through the adoption of sustainable water management strategies. These efforts should include improved irrigation methods and heightened conservation practices.
Major Causes of Groundwater Depletion in India:
- Over-Extraction for Irrigation:
- Around 80% of India’s total water usage is attributed to irrigation, primarily drawing from groundwater sources.
- Increasing demand for food production results in excessive extraction for irrigation, contributing to depletion.
- The UN’s Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2023 highlights that 78% of wells in Punjab are overexploited, with a prediction of critically low groundwater availability in the north-western region by 2025.
- Impact of Climate Change:
- Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns affect the recharge rates of groundwater aquifers, making them more susceptible to depletion.
- Events like droughts, flash floods, and disrupted monsoons, attributed to climate change, exert pressure on India’s groundwater reserves.
- Poor Water Management:
- Inefficient water use, leaky infrastructure, and inadequate rainwater capturing systems contribute to the depletion of groundwater reserves.
- Reduction in Natural Recharge:
- Factors like deforestation contribute to soil erosion, hindering the natural recharge of groundwater aquifers and reducing the amount of water seeping into the ground to replenish these resources.
Issues Associated with Depleting Groundwater:
- Water Scarcity:
- Depleting groundwater levels lead to water scarcity, impacting domestic, agricultural, and industrial usage and potentially causing conflicts over water resources.
- A University of Michigan-led study warns that if current groundwater extraction rates by Indian farmers persist, the depletion rate could triple by 2080, jeopardizing food, water security, and the livelihoods of a significant portion of the population.
- Land Subsidence:
- Excessive groundwater extraction can compact the soil, resulting in land subsidence, which damages infrastructure like roads and buildings and increases the risk of flooding.
- Environmental Degradation:
- Depleting groundwater can lead to environmental repercussions, such as saltwater intrusion in coastal areas, contaminating freshwater resources.
- Economic Impacts:
- Groundwater depletion can reduce agricultural output and escalate costs for water treatment and pumping, affecting the economy.
- Lack of Depletion Data:
- The Indian government identifies highly overexploited blocks in water-stressed states, but only around 14% of these areas are currently acknowledged, indicating a gap in recognizing the full extent of the problem.
- Earth’s Axis Tilt:
- Research published in Geophysical Research Letters suggests that excessive groundwater pumping has shifted the Earth’s axis nearly 80 centimeters east between 1993 and 2010, potentially contributing to sea level rise.
Government efforts concerning the conservation of groundwater:
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan- Catch the Rain Campaign
- Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme
- Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
Path Forward for Addressing Groundwater Depletion:
- Adopt Comprehensive Water Management: Implement inclusive and sustainable water management strategies that cater to immediate requirements and long-term sustainability.
- Community Engagement: Encourage active involvement of local communities, integrating their insights and wisdom into water management decisions.
- Invest in Infrastructure and Capacity-Building: Prioritize investments in water infrastructure and capacity-building programs to fortify resilience against potential water crises.
- Establish Monitoring Frameworks: Create robust monitoring and evaluation systems to gauge the effectiveness and impact of water management initiatives.
- Advocate Responsible Groundwater Practices: Promote responsible groundwater management and conservation practices to safeguard water resources for future generations.
Source: PIB
Practice Question
Examine the current state of groundwater depletion in the nation, considering its associated challenges. Propose solutions akin to recently issued groundwater extraction regulations to address these issues. (Answer in 250 words)