India Advances Groundwater Management To Secure Water Future

India is strengthening groundwater management through a combination of scientific monitoring, community-led initiatives, and policy-driven programmes to ensure sustainable water use and long-term water security.

Groundwater provides the primary source of irrigation and drinking water in the country, meeting nearly 62% of irrigation needs, 85% of rural consumption, and 50% of urban demand. Rising extraction, urbanisation, and industrialisation have intensified pressure on these resources, making effective management imperative.

Key government initiatives include the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR), Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB), Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal), Mission Amrit Sarovar, and the Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater 2020. Together, these programmes focus on groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, aquifer mapping, community participation, and technology-driven monitoring.

The Model Groundwater Bill has been adopted by 21 states and UTs to regulate extraction and promote sustainable practices. Meanwhile, over 43,228 groundwater monitoring stations, 712 Jal Shakti Kendras, and 53,264 Atal Jal Water Quality Monitoring Stations now provide critical data to support decision-making.

Under JSA: CTR, citizens and communities participate in conservation measures, revitalising abandoned borewells and monitoring water bodies. The JSJB initiative has completed nearly 39.6 lakh artificial groundwater recharge and storage works since 2021.

The Atal Bhujal Yojana promotes sustainable water management in seven water-stressed states, integrating incentives, digital monitoring, and community engagement. Mission Amrit Sarovar has supported the creation and rejuvenation of ponds nationwide to enhance natural groundwater recharge.

Through these measures, India is not only addressing declining water tables and quality concerns but also reinforcing its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6, 11, and 12), ensuring a resilient and sustainable water future for the country.