Context

• A recent report published by United Nations University has warned that 27 of the 31 aquifers in the country are depleting faster than they can be replenished. 
• In this backdrop, this article explains the causes for faster depleting aquifers and suggests measures to address the issue effectively.

Causes

• Little understanding of river systems or their interconnections with the health of catchment areas or groundwater- As per Shah Committee.
• Poor state of the country’s aquifers. 
• Overuse of groundwater globally — more than China and the US combined.
• Little emphasis on institutional innovations in the water sector. 
• Addressing demand-side management remains a complex problem in states like Punjab where the link between power subsidies and the falling water table is apparent.
• Impact of climate change on aquifers: In the country’s southwest, where aquifers of hard rock already impose limits on recharging. Hotter temperatures could leave less moisture to soak in the soil and replenish groundwater sources.

Government efforts

• Atal Bhujal Yojana: Atal Bhujal Yojana which commenced in 2020, aims to bring about behavioral changes at the community level in seven states (78 water stressed districts). Ministry data does show that groundwater extraction for irrigation, domestic and industrial uses came down by about 6 billion cubic meters in 2022 from 2020.
• Promoting water efficient crops: In recent years, the Centre has been trying to promote less thirsty crops like millets and the use of efficient watering techniques. The use of technologies that allow people to monitor the water available in their borewells could be the first step to nudge them to manage aquifers responsibly.