AakritiAIR 93 · CSE 2025 · 205 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
The gangetic valley, a fertile zone, is a major food belt of India. ≈ 90% groundwater is used for agriculture in this region.
groundwater potential is on a decline - causes:
Body · points
(1.) Contamination eg. Uranium levels very high in Bihar, & west Bengal (2.) overuse of groundwater Eastern India - region with high number of critical units i.e. 90% to >100% use (CGWB). (3.) Population density very high eg. U.P., Bihar, west Bengal
(4.) Poor integrated water management. eg. only 32% water (rainfall) is harvested in India
(5.) Hardrock plateaus eg. Madhya Pradesh region
(6.) Rapid concretization & deforestation support urbanization eg. in uttrakhand
(7.) Heavy siltation → lower rejuvenation ability of groundwater eg. near Farakka barrage.
Impact on food security
(1.) Water decline → less water availability for cropping (Input unavailability) → decline in food availability
(2.) Increased pressure on surface water → Drinking & sanitation water crisis → health problems → reduced nutrient absorption.
(3.) Interstate conflicts will rise → instability → agriculture productivity stagnated
(4.) Use of contaminated ground water → nutritional deficiency
Way forward
(1.) Rainwater harvesting is indispensible (2.) Interstate coordination for rejuvenation planning.
Close · a way forward
Steps like Namame Gange & River City Alliance are steps in right direction for "Jal-Anna Suraksha".
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