Amit Sharma
The existence of life on Planet depends on water. Water is necessary for the life of all living things, notably plants and animals. Water is essential to the biosphere’s basic operations and is necessary for the entire planet’s life-sustaining system. There is no denying that water is the most useful resource for humans. Since water is necessary for consumption, other household requirements, agriculture, industry, and even human survival, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to argue that “water is the fuel of all life”. Clean water is necessary for human survival and is needed for consumption, cooking, and sanitation. Finding clean, drinkable water has become a daily challenge in many places of the world these days. India has an abundance of assets of nature, such as streams, lakes, and various other bodies of water. Aside from other animals and plants, our nation’s nearly 1.4 billion inhabitants may survive on the annual precipitation that falls in different regions. In spite of abundance, there are still many areas in India where people lack access to clean water. The country could soon face a severe water crisis if water use is not planned for and managed economically, which could have a detrimental impact on the foreseeable future of the nation. Surface water and ground water are the two general categories of water. The term “groundwater” refers to the water that is found in subterranean aquifers, whereas “surface water” refers to water bodies on the surface of the land, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, reservoirs, river channels, snow cover, etc. Water that exists below the surface of the earth and fills the pore spaces in rocks is referred to as groundwater. It is purported to exist in subterranean lakes and rivers called aquifers. Since groundwater makes up the majority of the world’s water for consumption, groundwater is extremely important to human life.
Numerous issues have arisen from negligent utilization of groundwater, and scientific research indicates that the resource will eventually run out if it is used at this uncontrolled rate. The issues surrounding groundwater can be divided into two categories: issues brought on by contamination and issues resulting from excess extraction. The aquifers, which are the result of industrialization and urbanization, are the source of these two issues. The next generation may not be able to enjoy this unique resource due to excessive groundwater extraction and contamination. Water resources that are now available should be used for human benefit, according to scientists, not only to prevent and manage depletion and exhaustion but also to create new water resources that take into account both the needs of current times and the years to come. Water is a resource with many applications, and it’s crucial to recognize that these uses shouldn’t conflict with one another because humans and other living things like to enjoy it in its whole. Therefore, the main goals of the strategies for water management are its appropriate deployment and both quantity and quality conservation. There is growing strain on the supply of groundwater as a result of the uncontrolled, unconventional growth of these resources, which is primarily the result of individual efforts. Long-term declines in ground water levels, de-saturation of aquifer zones, higher energy costs for raising water from gradually greater depths, and degradation of quality because of saltwater intrusion in coastal areas across the nation are examples of the negative effects. Nonetheless, there are regions of the nation where ground water supply is still minimal despite the availability of ample resources. Similarly, the canal control regions experience issues with water logging and salt in their soil as a result of the constant increase in ground water concentrations.
Sinking Groundwater Levels:
A major drop in groundwater levels has resulted from the over-exploitation of groundwater for industrial, residential, and agricultural purposes. The groundwater depletion has been made worse by the increase in uncontrolled borewells because of the steady rise in ground water levels; there is water logging and salt in the soil. “As compared to the 2020 assessment for Jammu and Kashmir, the Total Annual Groundwater Recharge and Annual Extractable Ground Water Resources have increased from 4.68 bcm to 4.9 bcm and 4.22 bcm to 4.44 bcm respectively (CGWB, 2022).
Pollution:
Hazardous chemicals seep into groundwater as a result of agricultural usage of fertilizers and pesticides. Groundwater contamination is a result of both industrial operations and the release of untreated wastewater. Groundwater sources are contaminated by inadequate sewage treatment systems and inappropriate waste disposal methods. The common consensus is that the GW resources in J&K are suitable for drinking. The typical pH of the water, according to the average monitoring findings of GW investigations, ranges from 6.5 to 8, indicating that it is suitable for consumption. A number of the samples taken from the districts of Doda, Jammu, and Rajouri have been found to contain quantities of nitrate and fluoride that are higher than permitted levels.
The geological composition of the area can have an impact on groundwater quality, rendering it vulnerable to natural sources of contamination such as heavy metals. This is known as geological vulnerability.
Climate Variation and alterations:
Reductions in groundwater aquifer recharge can result from altered precipitation trends brought on by global warming. Greater rates of evapotranspiration can result from warmer temperatures, which can lower groundwater recharge.
Effects on Environmental Systems:
The exhaustion of groundwater has an impact on wetlands and other ecosystems that rely on it for survival. Groundwater-dependent flora and fauna can be impacted by variations in the condition of groundwater and various stages, which can have an effect on the local biodiversity.
Management of Groundwater:
A detailed numerical evaluation grounded in sound scientific concepts is essential for the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources. The successful oversight of aquifers requires an essential comprehension of their dynamics, including groundwater circulation and buildup. In addition to helping with the current evaluation, this scientific method will help provide a solid basis for groundwater management plans in the future. Groundwater evaluations can be more accurate and efficient when cutting-edge technologies like computational modeling, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are used. In addition to offering current information, these systems may forecast future patterns and help create adaptive policies that can react to shifting ecological and weather conditions. Putting strict laws in place to limit pollution coming from industry and agriculture. Creating and executing procedures that track groundwater quality.
Promoting organic farming methods as a way to cut down on toxic waste. Implementing in place an extensive network for groundwater surveillance. Enhancing the gathering and evaluation of data through the use of GIS and remote sensing technology. Establishing a centralized information system that parties and legislators can access. Launching education programs about the value of protecting groundwater. Engaging nearby communities in initiatives related to groundwater management. Teaching farmers about efficient use of water and methods for sustainable farming.
Without any water, the existence of life on Earth would not be conceivable. As such, water is a scarce resource that well-established societies must protect and utilise without wasting. It is necessary to use the distant sensing method to build specialized data sets that include all the parameters controlling the restoration of groundwater and withdrawal. Plans for groundwater development would be ineffective and have the desired outcome lacking such data collections. Before starting any program to preserve water, aquifer management at the regional or ground level is vital. In order to increase groundwater assets practically, a comprehensive approach must be chosen. This methodology must look at boundaries associated with groundwater and other security datasets, such as tilt, geography, lineament, substrate, land-use land cover, and furthermore. Furthermore, groundwater requirements to be given more consideration. This includes understanding its significance in the hydrological process, its role in meeting water needs, the reasons behind its decrease, the need to prevent misuse, and other factors. It is important to acknowledge actions that enhance groundwater preservation and safeguarding without jeopardizing the nation’s founding traditions. Water should be seen by law as both a valuable resource and a friend of nature and life. It is necessary to develop groundwater sustainability strategies. Resolutions should include strict and inflexible provisions to penalize businesses that damage water resources. In addition, guidelines for setting up rainwater harvesting systems may be suggested for both new and current projects.
(The author is Research Scholar Department of Geology University of Jammu)
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