Consider the following states of India :

I. Punjab

II. Odisha

III. Haryana

IV. Tamil Nadu

Which of the above states have relatively high level of groundwater utilization?

Key Points

• Punjab has a high level of groundwater utilization, primarily due to extensive agricultural activities, particularly the cultivation of water-intensive crops like rice and wheat.
• Haryana also experiences high groundwater utilization due to similar agricultural practices as seen in Punjab, making it another state with significant groundwater extraction.
• Tamil Nadu relies heavily on groundwater for agricultural and industrial purposes, leading to a high level of groundwater utilization.
• Odisha, while having substantial groundwater resources, does not have as high a level of groundwater utilization as the other three states listed.

Additional Information

• Groundwater Utilization
  • Groundwater utilization refers to the extraction and use of water from underground aquifers for various purposes including agriculture, industrial processes, and domestic consumption.
  • High levels of groundwater utilization can lead to the depletion of these underground reserves, causing long-term sustainability issues.
  • Groundwater is a critical resource in regions where surface water is scarce or unreliable.
  • Effective management and conservation of groundwater resources are essential to prevent over-extraction and ensure availability for future generations.
• Water-Intensive Crops
  • Crops like rice and sugarcane require large amounts of water for cultivation, leading to significant groundwater extraction in regions where these crops are grown extensively.
  • Shifting to less water-intensive crops can help reduce the pressure on groundwater resources.
• Groundwater Management
  • It involves strategies and practices to sustainably manage the extraction and use of groundwater.
  • Techniques like rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge of aquifers, and efficient irrigation methods can aid in the sustainable use of groundwater.
• Aquifers
  • These are underground layers of water-bearing rock or materials like gravel, sand, or silt from which groundwater can be extracted using wells.
  • Maintaining the health of aquifers is vital for long-term water security