Groundwater Recharge

Managing natural resources, the sustainable way

Monsoon makes slowest progress across India in 12 years (source: Times of India)

Sustainable development, still an unfinished agenda

HC orders Haryana government to supply adequate water to Delhi and monitor Yamuna through live Google maps

Jal Shakti ministry formed by merging water ministry and drinking water ministry

India is on the brink of a major water crisis. With drought looming over the southern and western parts of the country, the existing water resources are in peril. Rivers are getting more polluted, their catchments, water-holding and water-harvesting mechanisms are deteriorating and groundwater levels are depleting at an alarming rate.

India is the largest user of groundwater in the world. It uses an estimated 230 km3 of groundwater per year, which is over a quarter of the global total. About 85 percent of rural drinking water needs, 65 percent of irrigation needs and 50 percent of urban drinking water and industrial needs are fulfilled with groundwater.

Study reveals that nearly 42 percent of India’s land area is facing drought

The Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) cover 3500 kms across eight countries namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.

India is undergoing a major transition with changes in rainfall patterns leading to increased frequency of droughts, floods, heat waves amidst fear of a major water crisis in the years to come. Why are these threats increasing?