Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.
Context
The issue of land subsidence caused by excessive groundwater extraction in various parts of India, both in urban and rural areas.
Details
- Land subsidence as a consequence of excessive groundwater extraction has become a pressing issue in India.
- Several cities and rural areas are experiencing land deformation, cracks in buildings, and declining groundwater levels.
- Researchers have identified the Indo-Gangetic plain as highly prone to subsidence due to its stratified layers of sand and clay.
Urban Areas Facing Land Subsidence
- Example of Kapashera, southwest Delhi, where excessive groundwater extraction caused cracks in buildings and land subsidence.
- Monitoring by researchers showed land subsidence occurring at a rate of 17 cm per year in Kapashera.
- Other urban areas like Chandigarh, Ambala, Gandhinagar, and Kolkata have also reported land subsidence issues.
Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.
Rural Areas Dealing with Groundwater Depletion
- Punjab and Haryana are experiencing groundwater depletion due to high agricultural reliance on irrigation.
- Land deformation and cracked houses are prevalent in villages across these states.
- Precipitation in the monsoon months is insufficient to recharge aquifers to previous levels.
Challenges in Recording Subsidence
- Many areas with subsidence may not have been recorded yet.
- Studying localized satellite images and groundwater extraction rates, along with ground verification, is complex and time-consuming.
State-Wise Changes in Groundwater Levels
- DTE analysis reveals worsening groundwater levels in 10 states and Union Territories.
- Punjab witnessed the most significant drop of 150 m between 2000 and 2022, followed by Meghalaya and Uttar Pradesh.
Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.
Global Crisis of Land Subsidence
- The first case of land subsidence due to groundwater extraction was reported in California, USA.
- Southeast Asian megacities like Jakarta, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City are facing severe subsidence issues.
Causes and Impacts of Land Subsidence
- Human activities, particularly groundwater extraction, account for 60% of land subsidence cases worldwide.
- Subsidence leads to damages to critical infrastructure, changes in drainage patterns, and increased flood risks.
Solutions to Address Land Subsidence
- Groundwater recharge cannot reverse land subsidence, so the focus should be on arresting over extraction.
- Implement water budgeting for high-risk regions to monitor and manage water use effectively.
- Revive water bodies to aid groundwater recharge and mitigate subsidence effects.
|
PRACTICE QUESTION
Q) Discuss the factors leading to land subsidence and its implications on infrastructure, environment, and communities. (150 words)
|
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/urbanisation/writing-on-the-wall-groundwater-exploitation-is-triggering-subsidence-in-indo-gangetic-plain-90523
