It is said that the water resources in India have been depleting very fast. Discuss the factors responsible for depletion of water resources?
Over-use of groundwater resources is a major factor responsible for depletion of water resources in India. States like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu have very high groundwater utilisation. In Punjab, 76.1 per cent of the net irrigated area and in Haryana, 51.3 per cent are irrigated through wells and tubewells, which has resulted in groundwater depletion.
Intensive irrigation practices have also contributed significantly to depletion. In Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, more than 85 per cent of the net sown area is under irrigation. Wheat and rice are grown mainly with the help of irrigation in these states.
Over-withdrawals in some states have further exacerbated the problem. If the present trend continues, the demands for water would exceed the supplies, which will be detrimental to development and can cause social upheaval and disruptions.
Explanation
The textbook context clearly identifies three main factors for water depletion: (1) Over-use of groundwater resources - particularly in states with high utilisation like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu; (2) Intensive irrigation - with more than 85% of net sown area under irrigation in some states; and (3) Over-withdrawals leading to declining groundwater tables. The answer draws directly from these points while staying within the 80-120 word limit for a 3-mark short answer question.