Groundwater Resources of India

The Ganga Basin is the largest groundwater basin in India, covering an area of approximately 861,404 square kilometers.

The estimated total groundwater storage in India is approximately 43 million cubic kilometers.

Uttar Pradesh has the highest groundwater potential in India, with an estimated groundwater storage of approximately 10 million cubic kilometers.

Rainfall is the main source of groundwater recharge in India, contributing to approximately 70% of the total recharge.

Over-extraction of groundwater is the primary factor responsible for the declining groundwater levels in India.

The maximum permissible limit of fluoride in drinking water as per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is 1.0 mg/L.

Cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A are all common waterborne diseases associated with contaminated groundwater.

The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is responsible for regulating groundwater extraction, promoting groundwater recharge, and assessing groundwater quality in India.

Khadin, johad, and talab are all traditional water harvesting techniques used in India to recharge groundwater.

Atal Bhujal Yojana is a government scheme launched in India to promote rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.

Data scarcity, lack of awareness, and inadequate infrastructure are all major challenges in managing groundwater resources in India.

The National Water Policy (2012) aims to ensure sustainable groundwater development, promote conjunctive use of surface and groundwater, and regulate groundwater extraction in India.

Groundwater modeling, aquifer mapping, and groundwater quality assessment are all key components of the World Bank-supported National Aquifer Mapping and Management Program (NAMMP) in India.

Bhujal is the name of the mobile app launched by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) to provide real-time groundwater level data.

Jal Jeevan Mission is a major initiative of the Government of India to promote sustainable groundwater management.