Navigating India's groundwater crisis: legal and institutional perspectives on regulation and conservation

The rate of groundwater extraction has seen an exponential rise in India over the past few decades. Several districts in the country face groundwater depletion and contamination issues, threatening agricultural and domestic usage. The overexploitation of the resource can be attributed to the sowing of water-intensive crops, distortionary subsidies, the absence of incentives, asymmetrical information, and regulatory bottlenecks. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the experiences of various states of India in regulating groundwater extraction. It discusses both the legal and institutional components of the current framework and explores groundwater conservation policies from both the demand and supply sides. The paper highlights the issues of zoning and registration of wells, the promotion of water-saving practices, the implementation of recharge projects for aquifers and wells, and the improvement of groundwater governance as potential solutions to alleviate the ongoing crisis. Furthermore, the paper emphasises the importance of sustainable management, community engagement, and regulatory frameworks to tackle issues like groundwater depletion. Lastly, it suggests actionable steps for policymakers to promote sustainable practices and ensure a secure future for India's groundwater resources.