Deep wells and prudence: towards pragmatic action for addressing groundwater overexploitation in India

Contributor(s): Material type: TextTextPublication details: Washington, D. C. The World Bank 2010Description: xviii, 97 pSubject(s): DDC classification:
  • 631.7
Summary: India is the largest groundwater user in the world, with an estimated usage of around 230 cubic kilometers per year, more than a quarter of the global total. With more than 60 percent of irrigated agriculture and 85 percent of drinking water supplies dependent on it, groundwater is a vital resource for rural areas in India. Reliance of urban and industrial waste supplies on groundwater is also becoming increasingly significant in India. Through the construction of millions of private wells, there has been a phenomenal growth in the exploitation of groundwater in the last five decades. The potential social and economic consequences of continued weak or nonexistent groundwater management are serious, as aquifer depletion is concentrated in many of the most populated and economically productive areas. The implications are disturbing for attainment of the millennium development goals, for sustaining economic growth and local livelihoods, and for environmental and fiscal sustainability. The consequences will be most severe for the poor. Furthermore, climate change will put additional stress on groundwater resources; while at the same time will have an unpredictable impact on groundwater recharge and availability. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/272661468267911138/Deep-wells-and-prudence-towards-pragmatic-action-for-addressing-groundwater-overexploitation-in-India
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Item type Current library Item location Shelving location Call number Status Date due Barcode
Books Vikram Sarabhai Library Rack 34-A / Slot 1778 (2nd Floor, East Wing) General Stacks 631.7 W6D3 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available 172946

Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-97).

India is the largest groundwater user in the world, with an estimated usage of around 230 cubic kilometers per year, more than a quarter of the global total. With more than 60 percent of irrigated agriculture and 85 percent of drinking water supplies dependent on it, groundwater is a vital resource for rural areas in India. Reliance of urban and industrial waste supplies on groundwater is also becoming increasingly significant in India. Through the construction of millions of private wells, there has been a phenomenal growth in the exploitation of groundwater in the last five decades. The potential social and economic consequences of continued weak or nonexistent groundwater management are serious, as aquifer depletion is concentrated in many of the most populated and economically productive areas. The implications are disturbing for attainment of the millennium development goals, for sustaining economic growth and local livelihoods, and for environmental and fiscal sustainability. The consequences will be most severe for the poor. Furthermore, climate change will put additional stress on groundwater resources; while at the same time will have an unpredictable impact on groundwater recharge and availability.

http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/272661468267911138/Deep-wells-and-prudence-towards-pragmatic-action-for-addressing-groundwater-overexploitation-in-India

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