Ground Water Management and Sustainability in India: The Way Forward

Water is essential for sustenance of life on earth. But the problem is unequal distribution of water in space and time. Ancients developed innovative ways to manage water resources to meet their essential needs like drinking water supplies and irrigation. Many parts of India, especially Rajasthan have been practicing water conservation and rainwater harvesting since historical times. Arwari water shed in Alwar district of Rajasthan has brought to focus traditional techniques of integrated water management with community participation. This paper attempts to briefly present the water management scenario in India since Vedic times.

Chemical quality of surface and groundwater of an area is influenced by the climate, hydrological conditions, soil characteristics and geological formation. Irrespective of their source, all natural waters contain some chemical constituents and their quality changes progressively as they traverse over the land surface or infiltrate downward due to various hydro-geochemical processes. Anthropogenic factors also contribute substantially towards quality change of both surface water and ground water. In the present study an attempt has been made to understand the aquifer vulnerability to pollution, at the regional scale (Goa State), which takes into account the intrinsic hydraulic and hydrogeological parameters and environmental impacts. It is noticed that a variety of activities, such as agricultural, industrial and urban land uses, are carried out in the area, thus exposing the aquifers to a wide range of contaminants. Groundwater quality data of Goa state for the pre-monsoon seasons of 2014 and 2018 were obtained from CGWB (Bengaluru) and analysed statistically. A regional scale approach was developed which is known as ABHESHT (Aquifer type, Boundary conditions, Hydraulic Head representing static water level, Environmental impact, Solute concentration, Head variation (Water Table Fluctuation) during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons and Transmissivity). The method has been applied to Goa State, west coast of India and compared with the observed groundwater quality parameters. It is found that the model has successfully delineated the wells which are prone to pollution. Using GALDIT model, seawater intrusion impact was also assessed. The study revealed that the groundwater of Goa State did not show any significant pollution indicator, however, seasonal variations in water quality parameters were observed. It is also found that the North Goa coast as well as the other tourist spots spread over the entire state show signs of pollution at various locations (Anjuna. Baga, Mapusa. Concona etc). This calls for immediate attention from the concerned authorities.

India is a water stressed country. Regionwise scenario is different but in general surface water resources are not sufficient to fulfil the need of the country. Available sites for water storage are limited and are located in reach regions which makes it difficult to rationally distribute the available surplus water resources to the deprived regions. This compels the extraction of groundwater in the deprived regions. Even in the command areas of the dams the tail enders do not get water and hence they have to depend on groundwater. Cropping pattern has been continuously changing due to market variations and hence the regions which are not expected to grow water-intensive crops have started growing them by meeting the water demand from precious groundwater. Objective of agriculture has been changed from food production to profit-making. Urbanization and Industrialization have furthered the dependence on groundwater. The erratic rainfall sometime is the cause of depending on groundwater. In all, the reasons for dependence on groundwater are many and the overall dependence on groundwater has been at present between 50 % to 90 % in different parts of India. For last so many years that the dependence on groundwater has been on increase which has posed a serious threat of quantity and quality of water almost in the entire country and the present model of economy, agriculture and development as a whole has become a subject of reconsideration on the ground of sustainability and environmental change. The root cause of this situation is the unsustainable ways of resource management we have adopted. Gujarat is one of the most suffering states in water scarcity because of all the aforesaid factors. The objective of the paper is to discuss the issues and the probable solutions such that that the future course could be corrective and is approached early to save the future of the state and the entire country.

The water sector in Maharashtra is facing critical challenges. First, uneven availability of water over space and time is the biggest challenge and secondly, dramatically increasing competing demands for water from different sectors are giving rise todisputes and conflicts. Of the total water used in the state, about 82% goes to irrigation, 12% for domestic water supplies, 4% forindustrial use, and the remaining for other uses such as livestock, hydro and thermal power generation. With the urban population of about 51 million (45%), and rapidly growing urban centres and industries, there is considerable gap in demand and supply of thestate's scarce water resources. This has posed serious challenges to water security. There can be only limited dependence upon the groundwater resources for the protective irrigation in the State as 85% area is Deccan basalt having limited ground water recharge potential. Also access to safe drinking and other domestics is a challenge in the rural areas of the State. Planning and Management of water resources in a coordinated and holistic manner is needed. Considering the scarcity of water in large part of Maharashtra and substantial utilisation by irrigation sector, there is a need to expedite measures for improving Water Use Efficiency (WUE) so that water saved in irrigation can be utilised for other non-irrigation purposes. The paper gives an overview of the water resources scenario in Maharashtra with reference to surface water and discusses various water management issues that need focused attention. The paper brings out the impact of decision of various water dispute tribunals on the water availability for the State and also the need for inter-basin and intra-basin water transfer. It emphasises the need for upscaling use of Micro Irrigation (MI), Pipe distribution system, large scale integrated MI systems throughout the State etc. for not only to save substantial amount of water but also to help in increase the productivity and quality of agriculture produce. The paper also touches upon the issues of water quality and flood management in the State.