Question

“Recent evidence suggests that the groundwater is under serious threat of overuse in many parts of the country. About 300 districts have reported a water level decline of over 4 metres during the past 20 years. Nearly one-third of the country is overusing their groundwater reserves. In another 25 years, 60 per cent of the country would be doing the same if the present way of using this resource continues. Groundwater overuse is particularly found in the agriculturally prosperous regions of Punjab and Western U.P., hard rock plateau areas of central and south India, some coastal areas and the rapidly growing urban settlements.”

1. Why groundwater is overused?
2. Can there be development without overuse?

Answer 1

1. Groundwater is overused primarily due to two reasons:
   • Commercial Farming: In agriculturally rich areas like Punjab and Western U.P., intensive farming relies heavily on continuous underground tubewell irrigation for cultivation.
   • Urbanization: Rapidly growing urban settlements extract massive volumes of groundwater daily to satisfy the domestic and industrial needs of a surging population.
2. Yes, development can be achieved without overuse through Sustainable Development strategies. This can be managed by:
   • Implementing rainwater harvesting systems to recharge drying aquifers.
   • Changing cropping patterns toward low-water-consuming crops in drought-prone areas.
   • Strict government regulations on industrial water waste and excessive underground boring.