Depleting Groundwater Level in North India
Why in News: North India has depleted by about 450 cubic kilometers in two decades. This has made the depleting groundwater level in North India a matter of concern.
UPSC Syllabus:
Mains: GS 3: Environment and Ecology
Causes of Groundwater Depletion:
1. Overpopulation
• The global population is set to reach 8 billion in 2022, increasing the demand for natural resources such as water, fossil fuels, and minerals.
• According to the United Nations, the global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, putting further pressure on natural resources.
2. Overconsumption
• Overconsumption, especially in developed countries, leads to rapid depletion of resources.
• The ecological footprint of a high-consumption lifestyle is unsustainable.
• The Global Footprint Network reports that humanity uses resources 1.7 times faster than ecosystems can regenerate
3. Deforestation
• Deforestation for agriculture, urban development, and logging reduces biodiversity and disrupts ecosystems, leading to the loss of forests, which are vital for carbon sequestration and oxygen production.
• According to the World Bank, the world lost 1.3 million square kilometers of forest between 1990 and 2016.
• The Amazon rainforest, often known as the “lungs of the Earth,” is shrinking at an alarming rate, with deforestation rates in 2021 reaching the highest level in 15 years.
4. Pollution
• Air, water, and soil pollution degrades natural resources and makes them unusable.
• Industrial processes, improper waste disposal, and agricultural runoff are major contributors.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) states that 91% of the world’s population lives in places where air quality exceeds WHO guidelines.
• Air pollution causes serious health problems and affects crop yields.
• Water pollution is also serious, with the United Nations reporting that 2 billion people do not have safe drinking water due to pollution.
5. Climate Change
• Climate change accelerates the depletion of natural resources by altering weather patterns, causing extreme weather events, and affecting water supplies and agricultural productivity.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that if current trends continue, global temperatures could rise by 1.5°C by 2030, leading to more frequent and severe droughts, floods, and other climate-related impacts on resources.
6. Agricultural Practices
• Intensive agricultural practices lead to soil erosion, loss of arable land, and depletion of freshwater resources due to excessive irrigation and chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that 33% of the world’s soils are moderately to highly degraded due to erosion, salinization, compaction, and chemical pollution.
• Irrigation accounts for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, placing significant pressure on water resources, especially in dry regions.
Effects of Natural Resource Depletion:
1. Environmental Degradation
• Depletion of natural resources leads to significant degradation of the environment, including loss of biodiversity, deforestation, soil erosion, and water scarcity.
• According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than 28,000 species are at risk of extinction, mainly due to habitat loss and environmental degradation.
• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports that deforestation causes the loss of 13 million hectares of forests yearly, contributing to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss.
2. Climate Change
• Excessive use of fossil fuels and deforestation contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions, accelerating global warming and climate change.
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) states that the Earth’s average temperature has risen by about 1.2 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, due to increased carbon dioxide and other man-made emissions.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that global temperatures could rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, leading to severe weather events, rising sea levels, and disrupting ecosystems.
3. Economic consequences
• Resource scarcity can lead to economic instability, increased raw material costs, and job losses in resource-dependent industries.
• The World Bank highlights that overexploitation of groundwater for agriculture has resulted in declining agricultural productivity in many regions, affecting the livelihoods of millions of farmers.
• The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that soil degradation affects about 33% of the world’s land, reducing agricultural output and increasing food prices.
4. Social and political conflict
• Natural resource scarcity can lead to social unrest and conflict over access to essential resources such as water and arable land.
• The Pacific Institute’s Water Conflict Chronology reports over 400 conflicts related to water scarcity from 2000 to 2020, highlighting the growing strain on limited water resources.
• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns that • Resource scarcity can exacerbate existing inequalities and contribute to conflicts, especially in regions already experiencing political instability.
5. Health effects
• Natural resource scarcity can lead to health problems due to pollution, lack of clean water, and food shortages.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels causes approximately 7 million premature deaths each year due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
• According to the United Nations, approximately 2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water, leading to health issues such as waterborne diseases.
6. Loss of ecosystem services
• Natural resources provide essential ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, and climate regulation, which decline as resources are depleted.
• The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment shows that more than 60% of the ecosystem services examined are being degraded or used in an unsustainable way, impacting biodiversity and human well-being.
• The loss of pollinators crucial for crop production poses a risk to global food security, with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimating that 75% of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators.
Solutions to Groundwater Depletion:
1. Water Conservation Techniques
• Implementing water conservation techniques can substantially reduce the rate of groundwater depletion by reducing wastage and optimizing water use.
• According to the United Nations, water conservation practices such as rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation systems can reduce water use by up to 50% in some areas.
Example:
• Drip irrigation systems can save up to 60% of water compared to traditional irrigation methods while increasing crop yields by 20-90%.
2. Sustainable agricultural practices
• Adopting sustainable agricultural practices helps maintain soil health and reduce water consumption, thereby conserving groundwater.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that sustainable practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and organic farming can reduce water use by up to 30%.
Example:
In India, the use of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) has reduced water use by 30-40% while increasing rice yields by 20-50%.
3. Groundwater recharge
• Groundwater recharge involves methods to enhance the natural replenishment of aquifers, thereby maintaining groundwater levels.
• According to the World Bank, artificial groundwater recharge projects have successfully increased groundwater levels by 5-15% in different areas.
Examples:
• In California, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) has promoted stormwater collection and recharge projects, which have recharged over 1.2 million acre-feet of groundwater since its implementation in 2014.
4. Regulatory Measures
• Implementing regulatory measures can control excessive extraction of groundwater, ensuring its sustainable use.
• The United States Geological Survey (USGS) states that effective groundwater management policies have led to a 25% reduction in groundwater extraction in regulated areas.
Examples:
• In India, the Central Groundwater Authority (CGWA) has implemented regulations to control groundwater extraction in over-exploited and critical areas, resulting in improved groundwater levels in these areas.
5. Technological innovations
• Technological innovations, such as smart irrigation systems and groundwater monitoring equipment, can optimize water use and provide real-time data for improved management.
• The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) reports that smart irrigation techniques can reduce water use by up to 20% while maintaining or increasing crop yields.
Examples:
• Israel’s use of precision agriculture and smart irrigation techniques has reduced water use in agriculture by 50% while increasing productivity by 30%.
6. Public awareness and education
• Raising public awareness and educating communities about the importance of groundwater conservation can promote more responsible water use practices.
• The Global Water Partnership (GWP) asserts that community-based water management and education programs can reduce water consumption by 20-30%.
Examples:
• Initiatives such as the Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan, a community-led initiative in Rajasthan, India, have successfully revived traditional water conservation methods, improving groundwater levels in over 20,000 villages.
Government plans to address groundwater depletion:
1. Groundwater Extraction Guidelines
• Enact regulations to govern groundwater extraction and promote sustainable use.
• The Government of India has revised the Groundwater Extraction Guidelines effective from 2020 to regulate groundwater extraction in over-exploited and critical areas.
• This includes mandatory registration and metering of groundwater extraction in notified areas.
2. Jal Shakti Abhiyan
• The Jal Shakti Abhiyan, launched by the Government of India in 2019, promotes water conservation and rainwater harvesting.
• More than 1 million water conservation structures have been constructed across the country under this campaign.
3. Atal Bhujal Yojana, 2020
• Atal Bhujal Yojana, a central sector scheme launched in 2020 • The scheme aims to improve groundwater management through community participation and groundwater recharge activities.
• The scheme covers over 8,000 water-stressed gram panchayats in seven states.
4. “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain
• Using technology more effectively to monitor and manage groundwater resources.
• The Ministry of Jal Shakti in collaboration with ISRO has developed a web-based portal, “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” to monitor water conservation efforts using satellite imagery and geospatial technology.
• The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) highlights that smart irrigation techniques can reduce water use by up to 20% while maintaining or increasing crop yields.
5. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
• The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) aims to improve the efficiency of water use on farms by promoting micro-irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler irrigation.
• More than 11 million farmers have benefited from this scheme and there has been significant water savings.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that sustainable practices such as crop rotation and organic farming can reduce water use by 30%.
6. Public Awareness and Education Programmes
• National Water Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti conducts extensive awareness campaigns and training programs to promote water conservation and efficient water use practices among communities.
• Global Water Partnership (GWP) emphasizes that community-based water management and education programs can reduce water consumption by 20-30%.