People & Their Problems

New Delhi, 24 August 2009

Declining Ground Water

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION MUST

By Radhakrishna Rao

An innovative study carried out using satellite imageries has shown that the three north western States --Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan — along with the National Capital Region (NCR), are experiencing an acute and alarming decline in the ground water table. This rapid decline in the thickly-populated and agriculturally vibrant region of the country has computed to be 20 per cent more than was originally expected. Undoubtedly, this unpleasant development caused by excessive pumping of ground water for irrigation has the potential to spark a major food and water crisis in the years to come.

“If measures are not taken to ensure sustainable ground water usage, consequences for the 114-million residents of the region may include a collapse of agricultural output and severe shortage of potable water”, says a team of hydrologists, headed by Matt Rodell of Goddard Space Flight Centre of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As it is, studies carried out by World Bank and UN agencies in various parts of the world have warned of declining water reserve triggering a severe food crisis in the years ahead.

Quantifying the loss of this important natural asset in the north western region, the study drives home the point that more than 109-cubic km of ground water disappeared from aquifers in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan between 2002 and 2008. As pointed out by this research team, “this is enough water to fill Lake Mead, the largest man-made reservoir in the US, three times.”

Surprisingly, this more than usual decline in the ground water was not expected during the period when the monsoon was quite normal. The path-breaking study, which was based on the data made available by NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), a pair of satellites specifically designed to sense the dynamics of earth’s gravitational field, comes to the conclusion that ground water in this stretch of India is getting depleted faster than it is being replenished by the rain water.

On another front, this research finding has confirmed the fear of water shortage haunting urban centers and rural areas of the country in the context of a fast-growing population. Further, the study notes that the decline in the ground water level is likely to continue until effective measures are taken to curb the insatiated demand for ground water. “We don’t know the absolute volume of water in northern Indian aquifers. But GRACE provides strong evidence that current rates of water extraction are not sustainable” observes Rodell. And, he is quite firm that the crisis is clearly man-made.

According to Stockholm International Water Institute about a fifth of the water used globally comes from under the ground. Studies carried out by the Institute located in the Swedish capital state that withdrawals would increase 50 per cent by 2025 in developing countries and 18 per cent in developed countries. The rapid spread of green revolution farming strategy in India has resulted in the extraction of ground water at a phenomenal and unsustainable rate.

Interestingly, India’s Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission has benefited enormously from the ground water prospects maps prepared by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) based on the data made available by IRS constellation of earth observation satellites. These maps provide vital data including the depth of water table, recharge conditions, nature of aquifer material, depth range of wells, yield range of wells, success rate of wells, quality of water as well as status of groundwater exploitation.

As pointed out by ISRO these maps are useful in narrowing down the target zones for selection of sites for drilling new wells based on follow-up ground surveys, prioritization of zones and identification of areas for planning recharge structures to improve the sustainability of drinking water sources. In particular, these maps will be useful for both Government and non government agencies involved in the selection of well sites and management of groundwater resource.

Meanwhile, water resources experts drive home the point that a burgeoning population coupled with a declining water table could put excessive pressure on surface water sources which hold the key to meeting drinking water needs of a large segment of the population. Community participation in the conservation of water resources — both underground and surface — is considered crucial for a sustainable water management strategy.

Indeed with no strong measures in place to curb the misuse of ground water, there is every possibility this important water source is getting depleted at a faster pace in the years ahead. Hydrologists are of view that ground water management is a key challenge that requires regulatory and participatory approaches coupled with changes in demand behavior of water users. The Geneva-based International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) states that increasing demand requires effective laws to sustain this finite but renewable natural resource of great importance to humanity.

In this context, IUCN cites the success achieved by South Africa in effectively and sustainably managing its water resources. The laws enacted by the country guarantee a basic water supply, protect water based eco system and allow people a say in how the resources could be managed at the community level. Perhaps India could a take leaf out from South African experience to mitigate the problem of water shortage haunting many parts of the country.

For India which is trying to selectively privatise water resources distribution should learn from the experience in other parts of the world where private management of water resources has come a cropper. India is categorized as a water-stressed country where high levels of pollution in many rivers have imposed limitations on the availability of fresh water. With around 1,122-billion cubic metres presently estimated as the total annual utilisable water resources, the current per capita availability of water in India has been computed to be 1,022 cubic metres

Maharashtra which has severe constraints in its ground water sources due to variable rainfall and drought situation has launched a project with the World Bank assistance to improve the rural water supply and sanitation services. It is the first State to implement a state-wide decentralised and participatory approach. Will it yield results for the others to follow? A close watch is necessary. ---INFA

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