Sustainable groundwater management in India: A multifaceted approach to a growing crisis

This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the diverse and complex challenges surrounding groundwater management in India, emphasizing the pressing need for integrated and holistic strategies to address this growing crisis. The analysis explores the existing regulatory frameworks governing groundwater use, underscoring the essential role of stakeholder engagement and participation in developing effective solutions. The paper proposes a set of policy guidelines aimed at promoting sustainable groundwater utilization, highlighting key focus areas such as regulating the extraction and use of groundwater by commercial and industrial entities, encouraging the adoption of water-efficient agricultural practices, and reforming electricity and water pricing policies. The paper advocates for a critical shift from a centralized, 'command-and-control' approach towards a more participatory model that actively involves local communities, farmers, and industries as essential partners in the pursuit of long-term groundwater sustainability. This expanded analysis delves deeper into the underlying causes and potential solutions to the groundwater crisis, emphasizing the need for a collaborative and multifaceted approach to achieve sustainable water management in India.