Groundwater is the invisible lifeline of India’s development — silently sustaining agriculture, industry, and domestic needs. Yet today, it stands at the center of a mounting crisis. Over-extraction, contamination, and climate change have pushed this vital resource to the brink in many parts of the country. As India envisions becoming a developed nation by 2047 (Viksit Bharat 2047), sustainable groundwater management will define the nation’s water security, food production, and environmental resilience. This book, 'Groundwater Management for Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Sustaining Life, Livelihoods, and Legacy', offers a comprehensive and practical overview of India’s groundwater scenario — from current status and depletion trends to innovative demand and supply management strategies. Drawing upon scientific evidence, national assessments, and decades of professional insight, Dr. R.C. Srivastava presents a lucid, policy-relevant, and forward-looking roadmap for achieving groundwater sustainability. The book is organized into four key chapters that address: The current status and overview of groundwater resources in India; The economic, social, and ecological impacts of depletion; Demand-side management through efficiency, conservation, and policy reform; and Supply-side strategies for recharge, and aquifer restoration. Beyond data and analysis, the book advocates a paradigm shift — from exploitation to stewardship, from sectoral interventions to integrated management, and from centralized governance to community participation. Written in an accessible yet authoritative style, this work will serve as an essential reference for policy-makers, planners, researchers, educators, and citizens committed to building a 'Jal Surakshit and Samriddh Bharat'. It is not just a book on water — it is a call to secure the very foundation of India’s future.
Dr. Ramesh Chandra Srivastava, FNAAS, FIASWC, FISAE, FIE, FCHAI, is a distinguished agricultural scientist and visionary leader who has dedicated over four decades to advancing agricultural engineering, natural resource management, and institutional development in India. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, with M.Tech. and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural Engineering, Dr. Srivastava has worked across five diverse ecosystems — from the Himalayan hills to the coastal and island regions of India — bringing deep insight into water and land resource dynamics.
He has served in several eminent positions, including Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), Pusa, Bihar, and Director of ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Port Blair. Under his leadership, these institutions witnessed unprecedented transformation — from infrastructure expansion and academic innovation to enhanced national visibility and global collaboration. A prolific researcher and author, Dr. Srivastava has published over 130 research papers, 20 books, and 13 policy papers, alongside numerous technical reports and training manuals. His scientific contributions span rainwater and groundwater management, agri-waste monetization, and climate-resilient agriculture. His visionary initiative, the 'Sukhet Model' — an integrated village model for waste monetization, organic farming, and rural livelihoods — received national recognition when it was mentioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in the 80th episode of Mann Ki Baat (August 2021). The model was later commemorated through a First Day Cover and postal stamp issued by India Post in 2022. Dr. Srivastava has received 33 national and international awards, including the ICAR Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award, and has been elected Fellow of eight professional academies and societies, including the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS). He has represented India in numerous international forums across ten countries. A transformational institution-builder, policy thinker, and passionate advocate of sustainable resource management, Dr. Srivastava embodies the spirit of innovation and perseverance. His guiding belief — 'Seeing the invisible opportunities and achieving the seemingly impossible' — continues to inspire a new generation of scientists and development practitioners.
PART-I
1 Introduction............................................................................................1
Key dimensions of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision include.......................1
Within this framework, the groundwater vision specifically seeks to......3
The book is structured into four concise yet comprehensive chapters.....4
The path forward involves.......................................................................5
2 Status and Overview of Groundwater in India...................................7
1. Introduction..........................................................................................7
2. Factors Affecting Groundwater Status...............................................14
2.1. Loss of wetlands..............................................................................14
2.1.1. Wetlands of Delhi.........................................................................16
2.1.2. Wetlands of Bengaluru.................................................................17
2.1.3. Wetlands of Bihar.........................................................................17
2.2. Impact of climate change................................................................20
3. Methodologies for groundwater estimation.......................................34
3.1. In-situ well observations.................................................................35
3.2. Satellite-based measurement...........................................................36
3.3. Land surface modelling (lsm) and statistical approaches...............39
4. Reduction of baseflow of rivers due to change in groundwater scenario......................................................................42
5. Water governance for groundwater management...............................43
5.1. Legislations and policies for water governance..............................45
5.2. State acts and regulations................................................................47
5.3. Tariff Regulation.............................................................................49
5.4. Crop diversification and management initiatives............................53
6. Contamination of groundwater..........................................................57
6.1. Arsenic contamination in West Bengal...........................................58
6.2. Arsenic contamination in Bihar.......................................................59
6.3. Arsenic contamination in Eastern U.P.............................................61
6.4. Impact of groundwater contamination on health............................63
6.4.1. Impact of arsenic contamination on human health......................66
6.4.2. Impact of fluoride on human health.............................................67
6.4.3. Impact of iron toxicity on human health......................................70
6.4.4. Impact of nitrate contamination on human health........................71
7. References..........................................................................................71
PART-II
3 Impact of Depletion of Groundwater.................................................87
1. Introduction........................................................................................87
2. Impact of groundwater depletion.......................................................91
2.1. Water availability............................................................................91
2.2. Impact of groundwater decline on energy consumption and pump size..................................................................................92
2.3. Increased energy consumption due to deeper pumping..................93
2.4. Pump size adjustments and infrastructure modifications................94
2.5. Impact on earth topography............................................................96
2.6. Fast reduction in lean season flow of rivers..................................102
3. Ecological consequences of ground water depletion.......................105
3.1. Effect of depletion on groundwater temperature...........................105
3.2. Effect of groundwater depletion on aquatic ecosystems...............108
4. Effect of groundwater depletion in coastal ecosystem.....................111
5. Socio-economic impact of groundwater depletion..........................115
5.1. Estimating social losses from groundwater over-extraction.........115
6. Policy requirement to subdue these socioeconomic-issues..............116
7. Can this situation be reversed..........................................................117
8. Climate adaptation...........................................................................119
9. References........................................................................................119
4 Demand Management Strategies......................................................123
1. Introduction......................................................................................123
2. Strategies for agriculture sector.......................................................125
2.1. Enhancing conveyance efficiency.................................................126
2.2. Human activities and third-party damage.....................................129
2.3. Design of efficient application methods........................................129
2.3.1. Redesigning of surface irrigation methods................................129
2.3.2. Adoption of improved irrigation practices.................................131
2.4. Challenges in adoption of improved irrigation practices..............141
2.5. Optimization for efficient irrigation..............................................142
3. Research on improved irrigation pumps..........................................145
4. Strategies for domestic sector..........................................................145
5. Strategies for industrial sector..........................................................146
5.1. Food processing industry..............................................................147
5.1.1. Supply shortages........................................................................147
5.1.2. Quality & contamination issues.................................................148
5.1.3. Regulatory & compliance risks..................................................148
5.1.4. Operational disruptions..............................................................148
5.1.5. Reputation & consumer trust.....................................................148
5.2. Thermal power plants....................................................................150
5.3. Strategies for textiles sector..........................................................150
5.4. Strategies for metallurgy sector.....................................................154
5.5. Strategies for semi-conductor industry.........................................155
6. References........................................................................................156
5 Supply Management Strategies........................................................165
1. Introduction......................................................................................165
2. Water positive aquifer......................................................................166
3. Sources of water for recharge...........................................................169
4. Groundwater recharge techniques....................................................171
4.1. Traditional recharge techniques....................................................171
4.1.1. Recharge pit................................................................................171
4.1.2. Recharge trench..........................................................................172
4.1.3. Recharge shaft............................................................................172
4.1.4. Percolation tank/check dam.......................................................174
4.2. Emerging methods of groundwater recharge................................175
4.2.1. Design developed at CSSRI, Karnal..........................................176
4.2.2. Design developed at RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar................................176
4.3. Concept for Punjab like situation..................................................178
5. Estimation of groundwater recharge................................................179
5.1. Methodology for unsaturated aquifer............................................179
5.1.1. Watertable fluctuation (WTF) method.......................................179
5.1.2. Soil moisture / waterbalance methods (point scale or catchment)..........................................................179
5.1.3. Darcy flux / unsaturated flow (direct measurement)..................180
5.1.4. Other methods............................................................................180
5.1.5. Steps recommended for a typical study in unconsolidated aquifer........................................................................................180
5.2. Estimation of groundwater recharge in consolidated aquifer/hard rock aquifer...............................................................181
6. Utilization of gray water..................................................................182
6.1. Step-by-step guide on how to proceed with accelerated reclamation using wastewater.......................................................183
6.1.1. Assess the land and water quality...............................................183
6.1.2. Irrigation design.........................................................................184
6.1.3. Key benefits of conjunction of two natural resources otherwise called waste................................................................184
6.1.4. Challenges to consider...............................................................185
6.1.5. A case study of irrigated wasteland reclamation........................185
6.1.6. A concept of utilizing wastewater from an urban centre............186
6.2. Wastewater treatment technologies...............................................187
6.2.1. Conventional treatment technologies.........................................187
6.2.2. Advanced and emerging technologies........................................188
6.2.3. Wastewater technologies for making wastewater suitable for agricultural use.......................................................189
7. References........................................................................................191
6 Prologue...............................................................................................193
