Context:
Ministry of Jal Shakti released Annual Ground Water Quality Report 2024.
Status of groundwater in India:
- Largest Groundwater User: India uses more than 25% of the world’s total groundwater.
- Usage Breakdown: 87% of extracted groundwater is used in agriculture, while about 11% is used domestically.
Highlights of the Report:
- Regional Variability –
- 100% of water samples in Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram meet BIS standards.
- Rajasthan, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh face widespread contamination.
- Irrigation Suitability –
- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Tripura have excellent water quality for irrigation.
- Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana have very high sodium levels, making the water unsuitable for irrigation.
- Specific Contaminants of Concern –
- Nitrate: Found in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
- Fluoride: Found in Haryana and Karnataka.
- Arsenic: Found in the floodplains of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers.
- Uranium: Found in Rajasthan and Punjab.
Read more about Groundwater Depletion in India, Central Ground Water Authority
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or “critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (b)