A recent report by the United Nations University — Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) has issued a stark warning about India’s perilous trajectory towards reaching the tipping point of groundwater depletion. The report, titled ‘Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2023,’ sheds light on six critical environmental tipping points, including accelerating extinctions, groundwater depletion, mountain glacier melting, space debris, unbearable heat, and an uninsurable future.
The findings of the report underscore the alarming pace at which 27 out of the world’s 31 major aquifers are depleting, surpassing their natural replenishment rates. It highlights that India, in particular, is teetering on the brink of a critical groundwater depletion tipping point. With a focus on the north-western region, the report indicates that Punjab, a major agricultural hub, is already facing the pressing issue of overexploited wells, which could lead to a critical scarcity of groundwater by 2025.
Groundwater, a vital freshwater resource stored in underground reservoirs known as aquifers, serves as a lifeline for over two billion people globally. Unfortunately, more than half of the world’s major aquifers are experiencing depletion at a rate that surpasses natural replenishment. This situation poses a significant threat to agriculture, as groundwater plays a pivotal role in irrigation, particularly for staple crops like rice and wheat.
The report further emphasizes that unsustainable agricultural practices, coupled with excessive groundwater pumping, not only jeopardize food security and livelihoods but also contribute to global environmental imbalances. The excessive withdrawal of groundwater has been linked to the acceleration of sea-level rise and even the tilting of the Earth’s axis.
India, known as the largest user of groundwater globally, faces an imminent crisis as the north-western region, including states like Punjab and Haryana, grapples with critically low groundwater availability. Moreover, the impact of this depletion extends beyond national borders, as many countries heavily reliant on groundwater contribute to the international food supply chain, making the issue a global concern.