Syllabus: Environment Conservation
Source: IE
Context: A study by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) has found that fluoride contamination in groundwater is highest during dry, pre-monsoon months, particularly in Rajasthan, with Jaisalmer being the most affected area in India.
Excess fluoride can lead to skeletal fluorosis, dental decay, and other health issues, especially in children. The permissible fluoride limit is 1.50 mg/litre; however, contamination in Rajasthan reached 1.41 mg/litre pre-monsoon and 1.44 mg/litre post-monsoon. are notably high in dry, western Indian regions, with significant risks of health hazards.
Other heavy metals leading to groundwater contamination and their impact:
| Heavy Metal | Impacts |
| Arsenic | Skin lesions, cancer, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, diabetes. |
| Lead | Brain development issues in children, learning disabilities, behavioural problems, anaemia, kidney damage, hypertension. |
| Cadmium | Kidney damage, bone disease, respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, carcinogenic. |
| Mercury | Nervous system damage, tremors, memory loss, cognitive impairments, kidney damage, developmental issues in children. |
| Chromium (Hexavalent) | Respiratory problems, skin irritation, lung cancer, kidney damage, carcinogenic. |
| Nickel | Allergic reactions, lung and nasal cancers, dermatitis, respiratory and cardiovascular issues. |
| Copper | Gastrointestinal issues, liver damage, kidney problems, anaemia, neurological damage. |
| Zinc | Gastrointestinal disturbances, anemia, impaired immune function, lower cholesterol levels, pancreatic impact. |
Key Status about Groundwater (GW):
- India is the largest user of Groundwater (GW) ( accounting for 1/4th of total withdrawal)
- 87% of GW is used for Irrigation
- Currently, 67% of GW units are safe (extraction< 70% of recharge), 14% Overexploited and 4% at the Critical
- Extraction is very high in Haryana, Punjab (78% of wells are overexploited), Rajasthan
- Climate Concerns: In southwest India, increasing temperatures might hinder groundwater replenishment.
Groundwater Contamination Causes:
- Natural Sources: Substances like arsenic in rocks and soils can contaminate groundwater (e.g., Ganges Plain arsenic contamination).
- Septic Systems: Poorly managed septic tanks release harmful bacteria, nitrates, and chemicals.
- Pesticides and Fertilizers: Runoff from agricultural chemicals pollutes groundwater (e.g., Yamuna’s floodplains contamination).
- Landfills: Leachate from landfills pollutes groundwater (e.g., Delhi’s landfill site contamination).
- Sewage: Leaking sewers and sewage sludge can cross-contaminate water supplies (e.g., high pharmaceutical residues in Germany).
- Other Sources: Over-pumping, chemical spills, illegal dumping, and atmospheric contaminants.
Improving Groundwater Quality:
- Community Measures: Promote tree planting, rainwater harvesting, and community-based watershed management.
- Policy Measures: Regulate bore wells, construct water tanks, raise awareness, and enforce pollution control.
- Legal Measures: Clean and maintain urban water bodies, install decentralized treatment plants, and prevent pollution.
- Technological Measures: Implement artificial groundwater recharge, use stormwater for new water bodies, and build water harvesting structures.
Legal and regulatory frameworks for groundwater:
| Framework | Description |
| Article 21 | Recognizes the fundamental right to clean water under the right to life. |
| Central Ground Water Authority | Established by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, responsible for framing groundwater policies and programs. |
| Supreme Court | Upholds the ‘public trust doctrine,’ (2004) treating groundwater as a public resource, not private ownership. |
| Government Schemes | Initiatives like Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, and Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme for groundwater management. |
| Indian Easement Act, 1882 | Historically determined groundwater rights are often linked to land ownership. |
| Central Ground Water Board | Established in 1970, it develops groundwater policies and programs. |
| Model Groundwater Bills | Revised multiple times, empowers state boards to create laws and manage water resources. |
| National Green Tribunal | Directs the Central Ground Water Authority to regulate extraction and mandates permission for extraction. |
| Polluter Pays Principle | Addresses groundwater contamination case-by-case, with polluters bearing |
Conclusion: Groundwater demand will rise despite its shrinking availability, necessitating increased attention and compensatory recharge efforts.
Insta Links
Growing water crisis and One water Approach (OWA)
Mains Links
Bring out the problems associated with groundwater irrigation in India. Critically analyse the role of Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) in improving agricultural production on a sustainable basis. (15M)
