Facing groundwater depletion in India: The role of human activities and climate extremes

IF 4.9 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Groundwater for Sustainable Development Pub Date : 2025-02-27 DOI:10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101430

Stuti Srivastava , Alka Singh , Dipankar Dwivedi

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Abstract

India is the largest user of groundwater (GW) globally, supporting approximately 1.4 billion people. In recent decades, negligent GW consumption in India has caused severe overexploitation and unprecedented depletion, necessitating a review to understand its extent, drivers, and broader environmental and socio-economic impacts. This review comprehensively evaluates current measurements and trends in GW depletion, along with its causative factors such as excessive pumping, water footprint, and climate change, and their various implications. We reviewed 160 journal articles, along with supplementary data and reports from GW, agriculture, and meteorological authorities. Our focus was on GW depletion in India, with particular emphasis on GRACE satellite data, in situ observations, and the influence of hydrogeological conditions, anthropogenic activities, and climatic disturbances. GRACE observations reveal significant depletion, particularly in Eastern Uttar Pradesh at 7 cm/yr rate from 2002 to 2022, while localized in situ data highlight Punjab as the most rapidly depleting area, with a rate of 46 cm/yr (2003–2012). The intensification of tube well irrigation, the adoption of water-intensive agricultural practices, and poor water management have exacerbated GW depletion. Additionally, Rajasthan and Punjab exhibit high extreme rainfall trends in July and September, indicating unstable monsoon periods in the region. Despite heavy rainfall causing high runoff, Rajasthan shows notable recharge, likely due to its sandstone aquifers' high permeability. In contrast, Punjab is one of the most critically depleted GW hotspots in the country, driven by high depletion trends, deep tube well intensification, increased extreme events, and reduced rainfall recharge. Finally, based on these findings, the authors document prevailing policies and suggest strategies such as regulatory measures, conservation efforts, comprehensive aquifer assessments, and community-managed resources, to promote sustainable GW management.

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印度面临地下水枯竭：人类活动和极端气候的作用

印度是全球最大的地下水（GW）用户，为大约 14 亿人提供用水。近几十年来，印度疏忽的地下水消耗造成了严重的过度开采和前所未有的枯竭，因此有必要进行审查，以了解其程度、驱动因素以及更广泛的环境和社会经济影响。这篇综述全面评估了当前全球水资源消耗的测量结果和趋势，以及过度抽水、水足迹和气候变化等致因及其各种影响。我们查阅了 160 篇期刊论文，以及来自全球降水、农业和气象部门的补充数据和报告。我们的重点是印度的全球降水损耗，特别强调 GRACE 卫星数据、现场观测以及水文地质条件、人为活动和气候扰动的影响。全球大气环流行动卫星观测数据显示，2002 年至 2022 年期间，印度北方邦东部尤其以每年 7 厘米的速度严重耗竭，而局部地区的实地数据则显示，旁遮普邦是耗竭最迅速的地区，耗竭速度为每年 46 厘米（2003-2012 年）。管井灌溉的加强、用水密集型农业生产方式的采用以及水资源管理不善加剧了全球水源的枯竭。此外，拉贾斯坦邦和旁遮普邦 7 月和 9 月的极端降雨量呈上升趋势，表明该地区的季风期并不稳定。尽管强降雨导致大量径流，但拉贾斯坦邦仍显示出显著的补给，这可能是由于其砂岩含水层的高渗透性。与此相反，旁遮普省则是全国地下水严重枯竭的热点地区之一，其原因包括地下水的高枯竭趋势、深层管井的强化、极端事件的增加以及降雨补给的减少。最后，基于这些发现，作者记录了现行政策，并提出了一些战略建议，如监管措施、保护工作、含水层综合评估和社区管理资源等，以促进可持续的地下水管理。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Groundwater for Sustainable Development Social Sciences-Geography, Planning and Development

CiteScore

11.50

自引率

10.20%

发文量

152

期刊介绍： Groundwater for Sustainable Development is directed to different stakeholders and professionals, including government and non-governmental organizations, international funding agencies, universities, public water institutions, public health and other public/private sector professionals, and other relevant institutions. It is aimed at professionals, academics and students in the fields of disciplines such as: groundwater and its connection to surface hydrology and environment, soil sciences, engineering, ecology, microbiology, atmospheric sciences, analytical chemistry, hydro-engineering, water technology, environmental ethics, economics, public health, policy, as well as social sciences, legal disciplines, or any other area connected with water issues. The objectives of this journal are to facilitate: • The improvement of effective and sustainable management of water resources across the globe. • The improvement of human access to groundwater resources in adequate quantity and good quality. • The meeting of the increasing demand for drinking and irrigation water needed for food security to contribute to a social and economically sound human development. • The creation of a global inter- and multidisciplinary platform and forum to improve our understanding of groundwater resources and to advocate their effective and sustainable management and protection against contamination. • Interdisciplinary information exchange and to stimulate scientific research in the fields of groundwater related sciences and social and health sciences required to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for sustainable development.