Atal Bhujal Yojna

Atal Bhujal Yojna

The Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) is a major initiative launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to address India’s pressing groundwater depletion issues. It focuses on sustainable groundwater management through community engagement and behavioral change.

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Key Details

1. Launch & Funding:
   • Introduced in December 2019 with a financial outlay of ₹6,000 crore.
   • Funded jointly by the Government of India and the World Bank on a 50:50 basis.
2. Objective:
   • Improve groundwater management in water-stressed regions across seven states:
     • Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
   • Promote Panchayat-led management and encourage demand-side interventions.
3. Implementation:
   • Grants from the World Bank and the central government are passed on to the states.
   • Focuses on sustainable use of groundwater while ensuring its availability for future generations.

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Status of Groundwater Depletion in India

• India: World's Largest Groundwater User:
  • India uses more groundwater than the United States and China combined.
  • Groundwater accounts for 70% of water use, including 80% for irrigation.
• Unsustainable Extraction:
  • 25% of groundwater extraction in India is unsustainable.
  • States like Punjab are severely overexploited, with predictions of critical shortages by 2025.

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Causes of Groundwater Depletion

1. Over-Extraction for Irrigation:
   • Agriculture-driven demand consumes the majority of groundwater.
   • Traditional water-intensive crops and inefficient irrigation practices exacerbate the problem.
2. Climate Change:
   • Alters rainfall patterns and groundwater recharge rates.
   • Events like droughts and disrupted monsoons strain resources further.
3. Poor Water Management:
   • Leaky infrastructure, inefficient water systems, and insufficient rainwater harvesting reduce resource availability.
4. Deforestation and Urbanization:
   • Reduce the natural recharge capacity of groundwater aquifers.

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Challenges of Groundwater Depletion

1. Water Scarcity:
   • Impacts domestic, agricultural, and industrial needs.
   • Threatens livelihoods, especially in rural and agricultural areas.
2. Land Subsidence:
   • Over-extraction compacts soil, leading to sinking land, infrastructure damage, and flood risks.
3. Environmental Degradation:
   • Depleting groundwater causes saltwater intrusion in coastal regions, contaminating freshwater supplies.
4. Economic Impacts:
   • Reduces agricultural output and raises the costs of water extraction and treatment.
5. Geophysical Effects:
   • Excessive extraction contributes to phenomena like Earth’s axis tilt and rising sea levels.

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Government Initiatives for Groundwater Conservation

1. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY):
   • Focuses on water-efficient irrigation practices.
2. Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain Campaign:
   • Promotes rainwater harvesting and water conservation.
3. Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme:
   • Maps groundwater aquifers for informed management decisions.
4. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT):
   • Aims to improve water management in urban areas.

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Road Ahead

1. Comprehensive Water Management:
   • Adopt sustainable strategies that balance current demands with long-term conservation goals.
2. Community Participation:
   • Empower local communities, especially Panchayats, to manage groundwater resources.
3. Invest in Infrastructure:
   • Develop robust water storage, rainwater harvesting, and irrigation systems.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation:
   • Use technology to assess groundwater usage and the impact of conservation efforts.
5. Public Awareness:
   • Promote behavioral changes and awareness campaigns for sustainable water use.

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Key Takeaways
The Atal Bhujal Yojana represents a proactive effort to mitigate groundwater depletion and enhance water security in India. By integrating community participation, scientific management, and sustainable practices, it aims to ensure long-term availability of this crucial resource.

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