Groundwater stress rises in parts of Andhra Pradesh
Extraction levels increase to 31.51% as recharge dips; 12 mandals over-exploited, salinity reported in 39 areas, says Central Ground Water Board report
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Context
A recent report by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) titled 'Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2025' has revealed growing groundwater stress in Andhra Pradesh. The report categorizes 12 mandals as 'over-exploited', signifying that groundwater extraction has surpassed sustainable recharge levels. While the overall situation in the state remains 'safe' in 88.5% of mandals, the declining trend and emerging issues of salinity in 39 mandals highlight a growing water management challenge.
UPSC Perspectives
Geographical
Groundwater depletion is a critical issue in physical geography, particularly in India's peninsular region which is dominated by hard rock aquifers. These aquifers, unlike the porous alluvial plains of the north, have low storage and transmission capacities, making them highly susceptible to over-extraction. The article notes this is a primary cause of overexploitation in districts like Palnadu and Sri Satya Sai. For UPSC, this connects to the Geographical-Hydrological Cycle, where human intervention (extraction) outpaces natural processes (recharge). Questions can be framed on the typologies of aquifers in India and their differential vulnerability to water stress. The report's classification scheme (over-exploited, critical, semi-critical, safe) is a standard assessment framework used by the that aspirants must know.
Governance
Water is a State List subject under the Indian Constitution, but the Union government retains powers for regulation of inter-state rivers. This creates a complex governance landscape for a resource like groundwater, which is largely managed at the local level. The article highlights the role of the and its flagship scheme, the (JSA), as a key policy response. The JSA is a mission-mode program focusing on water conservation and rainwater harvesting. However, the report's findings suggest a need for more targeted interventions beyond broad campaigns. Effective governance requires a shift towards participatory groundwater management, empowering local communities through bodies like Pani Panchayats, and robust regulation to control extraction, particularly for agriculture, which consumes the majority of groundwater. The challenge is to align central schemes with state-level implementation and local hydro-geological realities.
Economic & Social
The over-extraction of groundwater is intrinsically linked to India's agricultural economy and food security imperatives. The Green Revolution, while boosting food production, also led to intensive water use, particularly for crops like paddy. In Andhra Pradesh, the report notes that irrigation accounts for the bulk of extraction. This creates a dangerous feedback loop: as water tables fall, farmers need more energy to pump water, increasing costs and indebtedness. Furthermore, the rise of salinity in coastal districts (West Godavari, Krishna) threatens both drinking water security under (Right to Life) and agricultural productivity, potentially impacting livelihoods. The social dimension involves inequitable access, where wealthier farmers can afford deeper borewells, further marginalizing small and marginal farmers. Policy solutions must therefore integrate agricultural reforms, such as promoting Micro-Irrigation (drip, sprinklers) and crop diversification away from water-guzzling varieties, with water conservation efforts.