The overexploitation of groundwater is a significant issue in India, where agriculture heavily depends on it. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources recently tabled a report highlighting the problem and suggesting measures to tackle it.
Excessive Exploitation of Groundwater and Free Electricity
States like Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu offer free power to farmers, while other states collect token charges. This practice leads to excessive exploitation of groundwater, mainly for cultivating water guzzler crops like paddy and sugarcane.
The committee suggested introducing measures like prepaid cards for power supply and restricting power supply to few hours a day. The government should also devise integrated measures to reduce dependence on groundwater in agriculture.
Concerned Ministries
The Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Jal Shakti Ministry should take the initiative by urging both the Power Ministry and Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare along with state governments to take measures on the suggested lines.
Issue with Restricting Electricity
Electricity is a concurrent subject, and state electricity regulatory commissions determine the electricity tariff for retail supply of electricity to end consumers under the provisions of Electricity Act, 2003. So, both the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation and Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare expressed their inability to persuade states to reduce/stop subsidies for power given in agriculture.
Water Productivity
The committee said that there is a need for a shift in focus from ‘land productivity’ to ‘water productivity.’ The government should encourage farmers to use water judiciously to enhance water productivity.
Groundwater Depletion Due to Agriculture
India is the world’s second-largest producer of wheat and rice and home to more than 600 million farmers. The country has achieved impressive food-production gains since the 1960s due to an increased reliance on irrigation wells. These gains have come at a cost with severe groundwater depletion.
Extraction of groundwater for meeting irrigation needs is prevalent mainly in northern states, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Other states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh are also significant users of groundwater for irrigation.
Government Initiatives
The government has initiated several schemes like Deendayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana, National Water Policy, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Per Drop More Crop, Rejuvenation of Dry Ponds, puddles, and wells, and National Aquifer Mapping and Management program.
Suggestions and Way Ahead
To tackle the problem of groundwater depletion, the exploitation and sale of groundwater by large corporations should be monitored on a continuous basis. Rainwater harvesting must be made mandatory in every household, particularly in big cities where groundwater has been declining alarmingly.
The minimum support price (MSP) for crops should be fixed considering the groundwater balance. Micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler) should be promoted in the over-exploited blocks to reduce groundwater exploitation. People from all walks of life must continue to be made aware of water literacy and the hazardous effects of rapidly declining groundwater.
Why In News
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources has recently presented its report titled “Groundwater: A Valuable but Diminishing Resource” in the Parliament. The report sheds light on the alarming situation of declining groundwater levels and emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable groundwater management practices. Additionally, the report suggests implementing policies that promote the recharge of groundwater and discourages overexploitation to ensure the availability of this precious resource for future generations.
MCQs about Tackling Groundwater Depletion in India
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The overexploitation of groundwater in India is mainly caused by:
A. Cultivating water guzzler crops like paddy and sugarcane
B. Lack of government initiatives
C. Limited availability of alternative sources of water
D. Insufficient rainfall in the country
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Which of the following states in India offer free power to farmers?
A. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
B. Telangana and Rajasthan
C. Punjab and Haryana
D. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
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The government should encourage farmers to use water judiciously to enhance:
A. Water productivity
B. Land productivity
C. Crop diversity
D. Farm profitability
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Which of the following measures is suggested by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources to tackle the problem of groundwater depletion in India?
A. Introducing prepaid cards for power supply
B. Encouraging the extraction and sale of groundwater by large corporations
C. Fixing the minimum support price (MSP) for crops regardless of the groundwater balance
D. Making rainwater harvesting mandatory in every household
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