GS Paper III

News Excerpt: 

The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat released the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for the entire country for the year 2023.

Key Findings of the Report: 

• Groundwater Recharge: The total annual groundwater recharge in 2023 stood at 449.08 billion cubic meters (BCM) reflecting an increase of 11.48 BCM compared to 2022. Rainfall accounts for nearly 60.3% of this recharge, with contributions from other sources like return flow from irrigation, canal seepage, etc. This signifies a positive trend towards replenishing groundwater resources.
• Extractable Groundwater Resource: The total annual extractable groundwater resource for the country was assessed at 407.21 BCM, accounting for the provision made for natural discharge.
• Groundwater Extraction: The annual groundwater extraction in 2023 was reported at 241.34 BCM. The irrigation sector is the largest consumer, utilizing 87% of the total annual groundwater extraction. The stage of groundwater extraction at 59.23% nationally suggests a significant reliance on groundwater resources, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices.
• Categorization of Assessment Units: Unit Categorization: Out of 6553 assessment units, 736 (11.23%) were classified as 'Over-Exploited', 199 (3.04%) as 'Critical', 698 (10.65%) as 'Semi-Critical', and 4793 (73.14%) as 'Safe'. Additionally, 127 assessment units (1.94%) were categorized as 'Saline'.
• Improvements in Assessment Units: The identification of improvements in 226 assessment units suggests that certain areas have witnessed positive changes in groundwater conditions, reflecting potential successful interventions or natural improvements.
• Decrease in Over-exploited Units: The reduction in the number of over-exploited units signifies progress in managing and potentially alleviating stress on groundwater resources in certain regions.
• Geographical Variation: Over-exploited units are prevalent in the northwestern states (like Punjab, Haryana) due to over-extraction beyond recharge capacities. Arid regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat also face similar over-exploitation due to low recharge rates.

Changes and Trends:

• Trend Analysis: The total annual groundwater recharge and extractable resources saw increases by 11.48 BCM and 9.13 BCM, respectively, compared to the previous assessment (2022). Groundwater extraction for various purposes also increased by 2.18 BCM during this period.
• Stage of Groundwater Extraction: The stage of groundwater extraction decreased from 60.08% to 59.26%, indicating a slight positive shift towards a more sustainable extraction rate.

Recommendations and Future Directions:

• Water Balance Studies: Suggested detailed studies to understand water balance components and their interactions for accurate resource assessment.
• Aquifer Characterization: Proposed more studies to refine parameters for better estimation of recharge and discharge components.
• Case Studies: Advocated conducting case studies to analyze the impact of management interventions on groundwater regimes.
• Temporal Availability Assessment: Recommended assessing temporal variations in groundwater availability, especially in hard rock terrains, using Digital Water Level Recorders (DWLRs).
• Database Management: Emphasized the need for a dedicated database and regular updates for realistic groundwater resource assessment.
• Deeper Aquifer Systems: Urged studies on deeper aquifer systems in specific regions (Indo-Gangetic, Brahmaputra, and Coastal Alluvial areas) to utilize them during exigencies and for drinking water purposes.

Conclusion:

The report highlights both positive shifts and persisting challenges in India's groundwater scenario. While there are improvements in certain areas, the prevalence of over-exploited units and high extraction rates necessitates a comprehensive and immediate focus on sustainable management practices. Implementing strategies that emphasize conservation, community involvement, and stringent regulations can contribute to ensuring the long-term availability and sustainability of groundwater resources in the country.

Mains PYQ

Q. “The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system.” How can it be made effective in urban areas? (UPSC 2018)