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India's depleting groundwater leaves people thirsty

India's per capita groundwater availability is expected to drop to just 22% of the groundwater stock in 1951.

Villagers collect water from an almost dried up well at Mhaismal village in Surgana Taluka, around 95 kilometer from Nasik, India, 21 April 2016. According to reports, 21 districts in Maharashtra are drought-affected. The drought, which has been ongoing f

The groundwater stock in India is depleting at a rapid pace which is expected to reduce to 3,120 litres per day a person by 2050.

According to a report in The Times of India, the groundwater availability may reduce to the actual use per person in the years to come.

Data indicates that the daily per capita groundwater availability in India has come down to 5,120 litres, which was 14,180 litres in 1951. In 1991, it was less than half of the 1951 stock. The report says that the daily per capita availability is expected to drop to just 25% of the base year by the year 2025.he figures from a Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) study warn of a reduction to 22% by 2050, going by the present rate of exploitation of groundwater.

 

The  findings of a study by India's Central Ground Water Board warn of a reduction to 22% by 2050, going by the pace at which the groundwater is depleting currently.

Experts say the depleting ground water table is an indication of vanishing rainwater harvesting with ponds, lakes and wells, poor awareness, and reduced green cover.

Several parts of the Western and central India are currently reeling under severe drought. In some areas, people are having to trek for several kilometers to fetch water to drink. In parts of Maharashtra, two children have died due to severe heat while they were out to bring water for their families. 


2 min read

Published

Updated

By Shamsher Kainth

Source: The Times of India



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