Question

A farmer in a rural area relies heavily on groundwater for irrigation. Over time, the water table has significantly dropped, affecting his crop yield and livelihood. What could be the reasons for the depletion of the water table in this scenario?

Answer 1

Reasons for depletion:

1. Over-extraction of groundwater: Unregulated pumping for irrigation depletes groundwater reserves.
2. Lack of recharge: Deforestation, urbanisation, and a lack of water conservation structures have all contributed to reduced natural recharge.
3. Changing rainfall patterns: Reduced or irregular rainfall has an influence on groundwater replenishment.
4. Inefficient irrigation methods: Inefficient irrigation methods waste water and deplete groundwater resources.