Context: Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest extractor of groundwater, is facing a severe groundwater crisis due to the over-cultivation of water-intensive crops like sugarcane, paddy, and wheat.
About Water-Guzzling Crops in Uttar Pradesh:
- Heavy Groundwater Extraction for Irrigation:
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- Uttar Pradesh extracted 46 billion cubic meters (BCM) of groundwater in 2023, primarily for agriculture.
- Nearly 90% of extracted water is used for irrigation, significantly outpacing natural replenishment rates.
- Role of Water-Intensive Crops:
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- Farmers shifted from coarse grains (millets, maize) to paddy, sugarcane, and wheat, which require significantly higher water consumption.
- Sugarcane alone occupies 60% of agricultural land in regions like Saharanpur, causing severe stress on underground water reserves.
- Consequences of Unregulated Groundwater Use:
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- Water tables have fallen from 30 feet to over 200 feet, forcing frequent re-boring, increasing costs for farmers.
- Free electricity and subsidized water access contribute to reckless groundwater pumping.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
- GS Paper 1 – Geography: Groundwater depletion, water-intensive agriculture, and climate change impacts.
- GS Paper 2 – Governance: Policy gaps in water management, ineffective regulation, and the role of state agencies.
- GS Paper 3 – Environment & Economy: Sustainable water use, over-extraction of groundwater, and agricultural reforms.
