Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater?
The depletion of groundwater in India is a critical issue driven by a combination of factors. The foremost cause is the unregulated over-extraction for agriculture, which accounts for nearly 90% of groundwater usage. The Green Revolution, while ensuring food security, promoted water-intensive crops like paddy and sugarcane, often in arid regions, leading to unsustainable pumping. This is exacerbated by subsidized electricity for farmers, which encourages wasteful water use. Rapid urbanization adds to the problem, as concretization reduces the natural recharge of aquifers, while industries and growing urban populations place further demand on these finite resources. Erratic rainfall patterns due to climate change also disrupt the natural replenishment cycle.
The government has initiated several steps to mitigate this crisis. The ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ is a time-bound, mission-mode campaign focused on water conservation and rainwater harvesting in the most water-stressed districts. The ‘Atal Bhujal Yojana’ is another significant scheme that aims to improve groundwater management through community participation and demand-side interventions. It promotes the preparation of water security plans at the gram panchayat level. Furthermore, the government is promoting micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems through subsidies to improve water use efficiency in agriculture. The creation of a model bill for groundwater management, which encourages states to adopt suitable legislation for regulation, is also a step in the right direction.
Answered By:
Harsh Raj
Harsh Raj is a successful government exam expert, having cleared multiple stages of SSC CGL, IBPS PO, CDS, RRB NTPC, and Delhi Police SI exams himself and mentored more than 5000 students through direct mentorship. His expertise is in creating well researched content, especially MCQs, which have been directly asked by relevant commissions in multiple exams.
Similar Questions
Examine the pattern and trend of public expenditure on social services in the post-reforms period in India. To what extent this has been in consonance with achieving the objective of inclusive growth?
What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control this type of inflation.
Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India.
What is the present world scenario of intellectual property rights with respect to life materials? Although, India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialization.
What were the factors responsible for the successful implementation of land reforms in some parts of the country? Elaborate.
What is the technology being employed for electronic toll collection on highways? What are its advantages and limitations? What are the proposed changes that will make this process seamless? Would this transition carry any potential hazards?
Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government's initiatives in this regard.
Explain how narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat across the country. Suggest suitable measures to counter narco-terrorism.
What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details.
What is the need for expanding the regional air connectivity in India? In this context, discuss the government's UDAN Scheme and its achievements.
Important Questions from GS3
Examine the pattern and trend of public expenditure on social services in the post-reforms period in India. To what extent this has been in consonance with achieving the objective of inclusive growth?
What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control this type of inflation.
Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India.
What is the present world scenario of intellectual property rights with respect to life materials? Although, India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialization.
What were the factors responsible for the successful implementation of land reforms in some parts of the country? Elaborate.
