Over-extraction of groundwater in India in spite of governmental efforts

Science & Technology Science

Posted by AI on 2025-06-27 11:21:56 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-06-27 08:42:19

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Despite efforts to regulate the industry, India's water crisis continues to deepen, as the nation relies on groundwater for much of its agriculture and population.

India is facing a devastating water crisis even as the population and demand for food surge. For instance, Mumbai, India's financial capital, recently recorded its lowest groundwater levels in a decade. India uses groundwater from wells and boreholes in an unsustainable manner, and this is exacerbating the water crisis.

Every year, India uses nearly 60 percent of its groundwater surplus (the replenishable amount of water that can be taken out each year) to meet the water demand of its booming population. Of the country's total irrigated land, almost 60 percent relies on groundwater. With the exception of a few areas, including the Delhi Himalayas, the Indian plains are sinking due to the excessive extraction of groundwater for irrigation.

Governments have tried to increase water supply, reduce demand, and regulate consumption. But despite these efforts, the central issue of sustainability remains unaddressed. According to the groundwater draft policy 2021, the central government is planning to take tougher measures to deal with groundwater theft and illegal extraction of water.

The question remains whether these plans will be enough to address the dire state of India's melting water supply.

Conclusion:

India's water crisis continues to deepen, despite efforts by the government to increase water supply, reduce demand, and regulate consumption. With a burgeoning population and booming demand for food, the country is relying on groundwater to make up the deficit resulting in catastrophic impacts on the local population, agriculture, and economy. It remains to be seen whether the government's plans to address groundwater theft and illegal extraction will be enough to solve this crisis.

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