Q 13. Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater? (UPSC 2025, 15 Marks, 250 Words)

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India faces a severe groundwater depletion crisis, with the World Bank noting it as the world's largest user of groundwater. Over-extraction for agriculture, rapid urbanization, and inefficient water management are key factors. Tushaar Shah, a water management expert, highlights the unsustainable extraction rates. In response, the Indian government has initiated measures like the Atal Bhujal Yojana and Jal Shakti Abhiyan to promote sustainable water use and recharge aquifers, aiming to curb this critical issue.

Factors Responsible for Depleting Groundwater in India:
  ● Over-extraction for Agriculture:  
        ○ Agriculture accounts for approximately 89% of groundwater usage in India. The extensive use of groundwater for irrigation, especially in water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane, has led to significant depletion.
  ● Inefficient Irrigation Practices:  
        ○ Traditional methods like flood irrigation lead to wastage of water. Lack of adoption of efficient techniques such as drip and sprinkler irrigation exacerbates the problem.
  ● Population Growth and Urbanization:  
        ○ Rapid urbanization and population growth increase the demand for water, leading to over-extraction of groundwater to meet domestic and industrial needs.
  ● Industrialization:  
        ○ Industries often extract large quantities of groundwater for their operations, contributing to its depletion. For example, the textile and dyeing industries are known for high water consumption.
  ● Climate Change:  
        ○ Changes in rainfall patterns and increased frequency of droughts due to climate change reduce the natural recharge of groundwater.
  ● Lack of Regulation:  
        ○ Inadequate regulation and monitoring of groundwater extraction, especially in rural areas, lead to unsustainable withdrawal rates.
 Steps Taken by the Government to Mitigate Groundwater Depletion:
  ● Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY):  
        ○ Aims to enhance water use efficiency in agriculture by promoting micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems.
  ● Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY):  
        ○ A central sector scheme with an outlay of INR 6,000 crore focusing on sustainable groundwater management in priority areas through community participation.
  ● National Water Policy:  
        ○ Advocates for the integrated water resources management approach, emphasizing the need for sustainable groundwater management.
  ● Groundwater Legislation:  
        ○ Several states have enacted laws to regulate groundwater extraction. For instance, the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act restricts the sowing of paddy before a certain date to conserve groundwater.
  ● Rainwater Harvesting:  
        ○ Promotion of rainwater harvesting structures in urban and rural areas to enhance groundwater recharge. States like Tamil Nadu have made rainwater harvesting mandatory for buildings.
  ● Awareness and Capacity Building:  
        ○ Initiatives to educate farmers and communities about the importance of water conservation and efficient water use practices.
  ● Monitoring and Data Collection:  
        ○ Strengthening the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) for better monitoring and data collection to inform policy decisions.

India's groundwater depletion is driven by over-extraction for agriculture, rapid urbanization, and inefficient water management. The government has initiated measures like the Atal Bhujal Yojana and Jal Shakti Abhiyan to promote sustainable usage and recharge. Mahatma Gandhi emphasized, "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed." A way forward involves adopting water-efficient technologies and community-based management to ensure long-term sustainability. UNICEF reports highlight the urgency of these interventions.