Groundwater in India (GS Paper 1 – Geography)

 v  Context: A report published by United Nations University has warned that 27 of the 31 aquifers in India are depleting faster than they can be replenished.

·       India is the world's largest groundwater extractor, surpassing China and the US combined.

·       As per the Central Ground Water Board, 70% of India's water comes from groundwater sources.

 Reasons for Groundwater Depletion

Ø  Agricultural overexploitation: Agriculture accounts for over 80% of groundwater use in India.

Ø  Inadequate regulation: The Mihir Shah Committee highlighted a lack of focus on institutional innovations in the water sector.

Ø  Climate change: Droughts and rising temperatures are causing decreased rainfall and increased evaporation, reducing aquifer recharge.

Ø  Urbanisation: Urbanization creates more impervious surfaces, limiting groundwater recharge.

Ø  Deforestation: It causes more soil erosion and less rainfall infiltration.

Ø  Subsidies on electricity and water

Ø  Population growth

 

Government Initiatives for Groundwater Conservation 

Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY)

·       Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) is a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

·       Aim: to improve groundwater management through community participation.

·       It will be implemented in priority areas across seven states: Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and UP.

·       It is funded by the GoI and the World Bank on a 50:50 basis.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain

·       Catch the Rain is an annual campaign under Jal Shakti Abhiyan.

·       Aim: to encourage people to adopt rainwater harvesting practices.

ð  Jal Shakti Abhiyan was launched in water-stressed districts by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. ð  It focuses on promoting water conservation and water resource management by: Water conservation and rainwater harvesting Renovation of traditional and other water bodies Reuse of water and recharging of structures Watershed development Intensive afforestation

 National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM)

·       NAQUIM is implemented by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

·       It is a part of the Ground Water Management and Regulation Scheme (a central sector scheme)

·       Objectives of NAQUIM are:

v  Delineation & characterisation of aquifers in 3D to understand their disposition

v  Identification & quantification of groundwater issues

v  Development of groundwater management plans

 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

·       PMKSY is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

·       Aims:

v  To enhance physical access to water on the farm

v  To expand cultivable area under assured irrigation

v  To improve on-farm water use efficiency

v  To introduce sustainable water conservation practices

·       The main components of PMKSY are:

1. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)
2. Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP): It has four sub-components.

1)     Command Area Development (CAD)

2)     Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI)

3)     Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies

4)     Ground Water Development

3. Watershed Development
4. Per Drop More Crop

·       The Central and State Governments share funds under the scheme at a 60:40 ratio, except for the North Eastern and Himalayan states, where the ratio is 90:10.