Reviving India’s Lifeline: Groundwater Recharge, Quality, and Sustainable Management in 2024

Overview:

Groundwater is a crucial lifeline for India, supporting its population, agriculture, and industries. The 2024 groundwater assessment highlights significant improvements in recharge and reduced extraction, offering a hopeful outlook for sustainable water management.

Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)

Dimensions of the Article:

Groundwater Resources in India
Ensuring Groundwater Quality
Government Initiatives for Groundwater Management
Milestones in Recharge and Conservation

Groundwater Resources in India

The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), along with State Groundwater Departments, assesses the nation’s groundwater annually. The 2024 report revealed:

Total Annual Recharge: Increased to 446.90 BCM, marking a rise of 15 BCM since 2017.
Extractable Resources: Estimated at 406.19 BCM.
Annual Extraction: Declined to 245.64 BCM, 3 BCM lower than 2017.
Safe Assessment Units: Increased to 73.4% (up from 62.6% in 2017).
Over-Exploited Units: Dropped to 11.13% from 17.24% in 2017.

These improvements are driven by enhanced recharge from tanks, ponds, and water conservation structures.

Ensuring Groundwater Quality

While quantity is improving, maintaining quality remains critical. Key pollutants such as arsenic, fluoride, and nitrate threaten groundwater safety. Monitoring efforts in 2024 highlighted:

Over 15,200 monitoring locations were assessed for water quality.
81% of samples were deemed suitable for irrigation.
The North-Eastern states performed exceptionally well, with 100% of samples rated “excellent” for irrigation.

This underscores the need for vigilance and proactive measures to protect groundwater quality.

Government Initiatives for Groundwater Management

Several programs aim to ensure water availability and conservation. Prominent initiatives include:

Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Focused on rainwater harvesting and conservation.
Atal Bhujal Yojana: Targets water-stressed areas in 80 districts across 7 states.
Mission Amrit Sarovar: Aims to create or rejuvenate 75 water bodies in every district.
PMKSY – Har Khet Ko Pani: Promotes efficient irrigation and restoration of water bodies.
National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM): Provides a scientific approach to groundwater recharge and conservation plans.

Additionally, urban schemes like AMRUT 2.0 encourage rainwater harvesting, while the National Water Awards celebrate best practices in water management.

Milestones in Recharge and Conservation

The consistent rise in groundwater recharge showcases India’s commitment to sustainable water use:

Recharge from tanks and ponds grew by 11.36 BCM since 2017, reaching 25.34 BCM in 2024.
Artificial recharge projects have demonstrated success in addressing regional challenges.

The collaborative efforts of central and state governments are key to these achievements.

The Way Forward

India’s groundwater journey reflects progress, but challenges persist. Quality monitoring must be expanded, pollution sources addressed, and sustainable practices encouraged. Strengthening policy frameworks and local participation will be critical in preserving this invaluable resource.
By blending innovation and collective action, India can secure a water-rich future for generations to come.