Groundwater extraction this year down 6 billion cubic metres from 2020
Why in News?
An assessment report on groundwater by the Central ground water board and States/UTs was released recently. (Under Ministry of Jal Shakti)
Key findings:
- India is the largest user of Groundwater (GW) ( accounting for 1/4th of total withdrawal)
- 87% of GW is used for Irrigation
- Status: GW extraction has declined and the number of over-exploited units (extraction > recharge) has decreased.
- Currently, 67% of GW units are safe (extraction< 70% of recharge), 14% Overexploited and 4% at the Critical
- Extraction is very high in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan etc.
Reasons for use of ground waters in irrigation;-
- Erratic monsoon; – Successive droughts and erratic rainfall have led to excess extraction of groundwater.
- Subsidy: Low prices or free electricity offers an incentive for the unchecked lifting of groundwater. The vast majority of groundwater pumps are unmetered, and if charged, are billed at a flat, non-volumetric, and highly subsidized tariff.
- Green revolution: Green Revolution caused the overuse of groundwater.
- Water-intensive crops: Government encourages farmers to produce water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane through increased minimum support prices (MSP).
Problems associated with such rampant use: –
- Lowering of the water table: The World Bank predicts that by 2032, around 60 per cent of aquifers in the country will be in a critical state.
- Reduction of water in streams and lakes: A substantial amount of the water flowing in rivers comes from the seepage of groundwater into the streambed. Depletion of groundwater levels may reduce water flow in such streams.
- Land subsidence: A lack of groundwater limits biodiversity and dangerous sinkholes result from depleted aquifers.
- Increased costs for the user: As the depleting groundwater levels lower the water table, the user has to delve deep to extract water. This will increase the cost of water extraction.
- Deterioration of water quality: Groundwater that is deep within the ground often intermingles with saltwater that we shouldn’t drink.
- Saltwater contamination can occur. For instance in the western part of the country.
- Interrupts water cycle: Groundwater depletion interrupts the ‘natural’ water cycle putting disproportionately more water into the sea.
- Impacts food security: As large aquifers are depleted, the food supply and people will suffer.
Status of Water Crisis:
- UN has estimated that by the year 2050, four billion people will be seriously affected by water shortages, which might lead to multiple conflicts between countries over water sharing.
- 31 countries are already facing a shortage of water and by 2025, there will be 48 countries facing serious water shortages.
India
- Global Drought Risk and Water Stress map (2019) shows that major parts of India, particularly west, central and parts of peninsular India are highly water-stressed and experience water scarcity.
- NITI Aayog report, ‘Composite Water Management Index’ (2018): more than 600 million people facing acute water shortages.
Impact of water crisis:
- Rural-urban water disputes are very likely to occur as scarcity grows, exacerbated by climate change
- Triggers sectoral and regional competitiong. water disputes between countries.
- Silent crisis of a global dimension, with millions of people being deprived of water to live and sustain their livelihood.
Need for One Water Approach (OWA):
- Failure to value water in all its forms is considered a prime cause of the mismanagement of water ( UN World Water Development Report 2021, published by UNESCO on behalf of the UN-Water)
Characteristics of OWA:
- The mindset that all water has value — from the water resources in our ecosystems to our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
- A multi-faceted approach meaning that our water-related investments should provide economic, environmental, and societal returns.
- Utilising watershed-scale thinking and action that respects and responds to the natural ecosystem, geology, and hydrology of an area.
- Partnerships and inclusion: all stakeholders come forward and together will take a decision.
Objectives:
- Reliable, secure, clean water supplies
- Aquifer recharge
- Flood protection
- Minimising environmental pollution
- Efficient use and reuse of natural resources
- Resiliency to climate
- Long-term sustainability
- Equity, affordability and accessibility to safe drinking water
- Economic growth and prosperity
Significance:
- A ‘One Water’ approach is key to combating urban challenges, managing resources
- Shift needed from single-minded, linear water management to multi-dimensional integrated water management technique
OWA (also known as Integrated Water Resource Management) is superior to the conventional water management approach:
Conventional Water Management Approach | One Water Approach |
Drinking water, wastewater and stormwater are managed separately | All the water systems, regardless of their source, are managed in a connected way and given equal worth |
One-way route from supply to use, treatment and disposal.
|
Water is recycled and reused several times |
Use of Stormwater not considered. | Stormwater is utilised as a valuable resource to fight against water scarcity, recharge groundwater and support natural vegetation |
Grey infrastructure in conventional water management | Mix of grey and green infrastructure that form a hybrid system |
Collaboration is need-based | Active collaborations with all stakeholders, including communities. |
Case study:
- Singapore: It is working towards becoming a zero waste nation by reducing our consumption of water, materials, and reusing and recycling them to give them a second lease of life. It has been following OWA for decades now.
- Los Angeles: One Water Los Angeles has formulated a LA 2040 Plan through a “Three legged stool approach” that ensures water quality improvement, water supply augmentation and flood risk mitigation, using recycling and reuse.
One Water Approach:
Conclusion
The effective answer to the groundwater crisis is to integrate conservation and development activities, from water extraction to water management, at the local level; making communities aware and involving them fully is therefore critical for success.
Mains PYQ
- Bring out the problems associated with groundwater irrigation in India. Critically analyse the role of Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) in improving agricultural production on a sustainable basis. (15M)
Prelims PYQ
Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2015)
- The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996-97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers.
- The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974-75 for the development of water-use efficiency,
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)