GROUND WATER

TABLE DEPLETION
GROUNDWATER
DEPLETION
GROUNDWATER COMPRISES 97 PERCENT OF THE WORLDS READILY ACCESSIBLE FRESHWATER
AS THE MORE EASILY ACCESSED SURFACE WATER RESOURCES ARE ALREADY BEING USED,
PRESSURE ON GROUNDWATER IS GROWING.
REASONS :-
A) POOR SERVICE DELIVERY FROM PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS HAS PROMPTED MANY
FARMERS, AND RURAL AND URBAN HOUSEHOLDS, TO TURN TO THEIR OWN PRIVATE SUPPLY FOR
IRRIGATION AND FOR DRINKING WATER
(B) NEW PUMP TECHNOLOGIES AND CREDIT FACILITIES MEANT THAT EVEN FARMERS AND
HOUSEHOLDS WITH VERY MODEST INCOMES COULD AFFORD TO SINK AND OPERATE THEIR OWN
TUBE WELLS
(C) THE FLEXIBILITY AND TIMELINESS OF GROUNDWATER PRESENTED AN ATTRACTIVE
ALTERNATIVE TO THE TECHNICALLY AND INSTITUTIONALLY LESS RESPONSIVE PROVISION OF
SURFACE WATER THROUGH PUBLIC SYSTEMS
(D) GOVERNMENT ELECTRICITY SUBSIDIES THAT HAVE SHIELDED FARMERS FROM THE FULL COST
OF PUMPING, CREATING A MODALITY OF GROUNDWATER USE THAT HAS PROVED VERY DIFFICULT
TO CHANGE.
GROUNDWATER POLLUTION
STEPS TAKEN BY INDIA TO RESTORE
GROUNDWATER
OTHER STEPS TAKEN
Artificial recharge through rain water harvesting
For developing model artificial recharge structures suited to different agro-climatic and hydro-geological
set-ups, the CGWB initiated 165 artificial recharge schemes under Central Sector during the Ninth Plan
with active involvement of State Government/UTs.