Context:

• Groundwater depletion is a critical environmental issue in India, particularly in states like Haryana. Contrary to common perceptions, the problem is not limited to agricultural regions but significantly affects urban areas as well.

Key Points:

Current state of groundwater resources in Haryana

• Haryana faces a dire situation with its groundwater resources. A study indicates that Punjab and Haryana have collectively lost 64.6 billion cubic meters of groundwater between 2003 and 2020.
• This depletion is the highest in India and is correlated with increased water demand from industries, households, agriculture, and population growth. The annual groundwater withdrawal in Haryana is 137% of its annual extractable groundwater resources, placing 85 out of 141 blocks in the red category, indicating severe over-extraction.
• Urban centers like Gurgaon and Faridabad are experiencing substantial groundwater depletion despite minimal paddy cultivation, suggesting that urban sprawl significantly contributes to the problem. Data from May 2023, compared with the decadal average (2013-2022), reveals a worsening situation where the rate of replenishment is lower than extraction.

Causes of groundwater depletion

Several factors contribute to the depletion of groundwater in Haryana:

• Industrial expansion and urbanization: The rapid growth of industries and urban areas has led to increased water demand. From FY 2004-2005 to FY 2018-2019, the growth rate of factories in Haryana increased significantly. Urbanization grew from 10% in 2001 to 20% in 2011, leading to a 26%–228% increase in domestic and industrial water demand.
   
• Agricultural practices: Water-intensive crops like paddy contribute significantly to groundwater extraction. The government's effort to reduce the area under paddy cultivation by 200,000 acres faces considerable challenges due to entrenched agricultural practices and farmer resistance.
   
• Population Growth: The increasing population puts additional pressure on groundwater resources for domestic use. A large part of Haryana depends on groundwater to fulfill daily needs due to the lack of piped water supply, exacerbating depletion.
   
• Changing rainfall patterns: Although changes in rainfall patterns do not show a perceptible decline, they contribute to the overall stress on groundwater resources, affecting recharge rates.

Consequences of groundwater depletion

The consequences of groundwater depletion are far-reaching:

• Ecological crisis: Over-extraction leads to the use of static groundwater, risking a severe ecological crisis. This can result in the degradation of ecosystems that depend on groundwater.
   
• Waterlogging and Salinity: In some areas like Rohtak and Jhajjar, higher groundwater levels cause waterlogging, rendering saline groundwater unusable for irrigation. This not only affects agricultural productivity but also leads to soil degradation.
   
• Economic impact: Water scarcity can adversely affect agriculture, industries, and overall economic productivity. The agricultural sector, which is heavily reliant on groundwater, faces the risk of reduced yields and increased costs.

Government initiatives and measures

To combat groundwater depletion, both central and state governments have initiated several measures:

• Demand Management Schemes: The central government is implementing schemes in water-stressed areas of Haryana to manage demand through scientific methods involving local communities.
   
• Rainwater Harvesting: Promoting rainwater harvesting to recharge aquifers is a critical strategy being encouraged across the state.
   
• Precision Agriculture: Encouraging precision agriculture practices can significantly reduce water consumption in irrigation.
   
• Crop Diversification: Shifting away from water-intensive crops like paddy to less water-demanding alternatives is essential for sustainable water management.
   
• Regulatory Measures: Implementing stricter regulations and monitoring of groundwater extraction is crucial to prevent over-exploitation.
   
• Water Use Efficiency: The Haryana government aims to enhance water use efficiency through micro-irrigation and increasing recharge points, with a target to reduce the speed of groundwater depletion by 50% in four years.