Preserving the precious – On groundwater use: The Hindu

Source: The Hindu

Exam View:

Prelims:

Groundwater Depletion, Climate change, National Water Policy, 2012 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyan- Catch the Rain Campaign, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Green corridors, Drip and Sprinkler irrigation, Rainwater Harvesting.

Mains GS Paper I and II:

Current State of Groundwater Extraction in India, Issues Related to Groundwater Depletion, Current Government Initiatives Related to Groundwater Management.

In News: 

Ministry of Water Resources recently made public a report that gives a snapshot of India’s groundwater situation.

The 2022 assessment of the Ministry of Water Resources suggests that groundwater extraction is the lowest since 2004. A decrease in groundwater extraction may indicate better water management, however, the report called the National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India also says that the improvement is only “marginal”.

India is home to 17% of the world’s population, but only holds 4% of the world’s freshwater resources. Not only is a water scarce in India, but the extraction of groundwater has been on the rise for decades. India is the world’s largest user of groundwater, where groundwater contributes to more than 60% of the country’s irrigation resources. After the “Green revolution” to ensure food security, the demand for groundwater for agriculture has increased.

Government Initiatives Related to Groundwater Management:

• Har Khet ko Pani “Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana”: The government of India is committed to accord high priority water conservation and its management. Improving water use efficiency ‘More crop per drop’ in a focused manner with an end-to-end solution on source creation, distribution, management, field application and extension activities.
• National Water Policy, 2012: NWP was formulated to govern the planning and development of water resources and their optimum utilisation.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan- Catch the Rain Campaign: Catch the rain, where it falls, and when it falls and create Rainwater Harvesting Structures (RWHS) suitable for climatic conditions.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana: It envisages people’s participation through the formation of ‘Water User Associations’, water budgeting, preparation & implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans, etc.

Challenges to groundwater management:

• Water-intensive Crops in water deficit region:The minimum support price for wheat and rice creates highly skewed incentive structures in favour of wheat and paddy, which are water-intensive crops and depend heavily on groundwater for their growth. This makes groundwater a heavenly resource for their farming.

• Unregulated use of groundwater in agriculture:Several states affected by the depletion of groundwater provide free or heavily subsidised power (including solar pumps) for pumping groundwater for irrigated This enables overexploitation and depletion of scarce groundwater resources.
• Urbanisation and Population-related issues:Rising population and urbanisation have increased the demand for water for domestic and industrial needs. limited surface water resources lead to the over-exploitation of groundwater resources.
• Sinking Water Table: Draughts, flash floods, and disrupted monsoon eventsare recent examples of climate change events that are placing pressure on India’s groundwater resources. And since, wells, ponds and tanks are drying up as groundwater resources come under increasing pressure due to over-reliance and unsustainable consumption. This has escalated the water crisis.
• Ground-Water Regulation:The government of India regulates groundwater exploitation in water-stressed states through “notification” of highly overexploited blocks. However, only about 14% of the overexploited blocks in the country are currently notified.

Recently, A draft National Water Policy has recommended a shift in usage from water-guzzling crops and prioritising recycled over freshwater for industrial purposes. Water ought not to be considered a free, private resource but one whose costs must be measured and borne equitably. There is a need to form a consensus across the political spectrum on disincentivising the wasteful consumption of this precious resource.

Question for Practice:

Prelims:

With reference to ‘Water Credit’, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector.
2. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
3. It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Mains:

1. Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under the depleting scenario. (2020)
2. What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (2020)

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