UNU-EHS Report on India’s Groundwater Depletion

• 28 Oct 2023

A recent report by the United Nations University — Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) has sounded the alarm on India's proximity to a critical groundwater depletion tipping point.

• The 'Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2023' evaluates six environmental tipping points, including accelerating extinctions, groundwater depletion, mountain glacier melting, space debris, unbearable heat, and an uninsurable future.

Key Points

• India Nearing Groundwater Depletion Tipping Point: The report warns that India is on the brink of reaching a crucial groundwater depletion tipping point.
• This point is reached when the water table drops below the level accessible by existing wells, putting farmers at risk of losing their livelihoods, leading to food insecurity, and jeopardizing entire food production systems.
• Global Aquifer Depletion: The report reveals that 27 of the world's 31 major aquifers are depleting faster than they can naturally recharge.
• It underlines that groundwater depletion is a global concern with severe implications.
• Groundwater's Vital Role: Groundwater is a crucial freshwater resource stored in underground aquifers, supplying drinking water to over two billion people and sustaining around 70% of water withdrawals for agriculture.
• However, since groundwater accumulates over thousands of years, it is essentially a non-renewable resource.
• Global Groundwater Depletion Trends: Groundwater depletion rates worldwide have accelerated since the mid-20th century, contributing significantly to sea-level rise.
• Excessive pumping of groundwater has also caused a tilt in the Earth's axis, impacting regions such as India, north-eastern China, western United States, Mexico, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and parts of northern Africa.
• India's Groundwater Use: India ranks as the world's largest user of groundwater, surpassing the United States and China combined. Groundwater irrigation supports approximately 40% of global crop production, including staple crops like rice and wheat.
• North-Western India at Risk: The north-western region of India, particularly Punjab and Haryana, is essential for the nation's food production, accounting for 50% of the country's rice supply and 85% of its wheat stocks.
• However, 78% of wells in Punjab are considered overexploited, and critically low groundwater availability is predicted for the entire north-western region by 2025.
• Global Impact of Groundwater Depletion: The relationship between groundwater and international food supply chains is driving groundwater depletion.
• Countries overdrawing groundwater resources export products, grown using depleted groundwater, to other nations, creating an interconnected issue.
• For example, the USA exports 42% of its crops grown from depleted groundwater to countries like Mexico, China, and Japan.