Groundwater is a vital resource for India, supporting agriculture, domestic needs, and industry. However, over-extraction, pollution, and climate change have led to significant challenges in groundwater sustainability. This paper reviews various innovative techniques for groundwater improvement, including rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge, and sustainable irrigation practices. Recent case studies from various Indian states demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods. Additionally, the paper discusses policy recommendations for integrated groundwater management, emphasizing the need for community engagement and technology adoption. The findings highlight that a combination of traditional practices and modern techniques can significantly enhance groundwater sustainability in India
Introduction
India is the largest consumer of groundwater, using it for nearly 60% of irrigation and sustaining over 600 million people. However, groundwater faces critical challenges including over-extraction, pollution from agricultural and industrial sources, and climate change effects like erratic rainfall and droughts. To address these issues, the paper discusses sustainable techniques such as rainwater harvesting (rooftop collection, percolation tanks, check dams), artificial recharge (recharge pits, riverbed filtration, managed aquifer recharge), and sustainable irrigation methods (drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, crop rotation). The integration of geospatial technologies and IoT-based monitoring can further enhance groundwater management. Policy recommendations include regulatory frameworks, public awareness, farmer incentives, community involvement, and support for research to ensure groundwater sustainability across India.
Conclusion
The sustainable management of groundwater resources in India is critical for ensuring food security, public health, and economic development. Innovative techniques such as rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge, and sustainable irrigation practices can significantly improve groundwater quality and quantity. Successful implementation of these methods requires strong policy frameworks, community involvement, and the integration of modern technologies. Future efforts should focus on blending traditional knowledge with contemporary practices to create a holistic approach to groundwater management.
References
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[2] Sharma, P., & Das, S. (2022). \"Artificial Recharge Techniques: A Review of Current Practices in India.\" Water Resources Research, 58(2), e2021WR030162.
[3] Central Ground Water Board (2021). Annual Report on Ground Water Resources of India.
[4] Rao, P. S., &Sinha, A. (2023). \"Impact of Drip Irrigation on Water Conservation: A Case Study from Maharashtra.\" Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 93(1), 85-92.
[5] National Water Policy (2019). Government of India.