A recent report published by the United Nations University — Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) has raised a red flag regarding India’s dwindling groundwater levels. The ‘Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2023’ focuses on six environmental tipping points, including groundwater depletion, and reveals a dire situation worldwide.
Global Aquifer Depletion Crisis
The report highlights a concerning trend: 27 out of the world’s 31 major aquifers are depleting faster than they can be naturally replenished. Groundwater, a vital freshwater resource stored in underground aquifers, serves as a source of drinking water for over two billion people, with 70% of withdrawals directed toward agriculture. Shockingly, more than half of the world’s major aquifers are now being depleted at an unsustainable pace, and groundwater is essentially a non-renewable resource.
Groundwater Crisis in India
In India, the situation is particularly dire. The report indicates that 78% of wells in the state of Punjab are considered overexploited, and the entire north-western region is expected to face critically low groundwater availability by 2025. The impending crisis poses not only a threat to farmers’ livelihoods but also jeopardizes food security and the stability of food production systems.
Understanding the Groundwater Tipping Point
The report emphasizes that the groundwater tipping point is reached when the water table drops below a level accessible by existing wells. This marks a critical turning point where farmers lose access to groundwater for irrigation, leading to potential food insecurity and systemic agricultural failures.
Global Impact of Groundwater Depletion
Approximately 30% of the world’s fresh water is stored as groundwater, which is occasionally brought to the surface through natural springs, lakes, or wells. Alarmingly, groundwater depletion has accelerated since the mid-20th century, contributing significantly to rising sea levels. Moreover, excessive groundwater pumping has even caused the Earth’s axis to tilt, affecting regions across India, China, the United States, Mexico, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and parts of northern Africa.
India’s Key Role in the Crisis
India stands out as the world’s largest user of groundwater, surpassing both the United States and China combined. The north-western region of India, particularly Punjab and Haryana, plays a crucial role in the nation’s food production, contributing 50% of the country’s rice supply and 85% of its wheat stocks. However, rampant overexploitation has left 78% of wells in Punjab in a depleted state, with predictions of critically low groundwater levels in the entire north-western region by 2025.
Global Food Supply Chain Implications
Groundwater depletion is intricately linked to international food supply chains. Many countries that overdraw their groundwater resources export products, grown with this unsustainable water source, to distant regions. For instance, the United States exports 42% of its crops irrigated with depleted groundwater, including corn, to countries such as Mexico, China, and Japan.
