Sishodia, R P and Shukla, S and Graham, W D and Wani, S P and Garg, K K (2016) Bi-decadal groundwater level trends in a semi-arid south Indian region: Declines, causes and management. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 8. pp. 43-58. ISSN 22145818
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Abstract
Study region Three districts in crystalline aquifer region of semi-arid south India. Study focus India, world’s largest groundwater user (250 billion m3 yr−1) has been reported to experience declining groundwater levels. However, the statistical significance of the decline has not been analyzed to separate human effects from natural variability. Trends in groundwater levels in three administrative districts of south India were analyzed and explained through changes in irrigation, rainfall, and agricultural power subsidy. New hydrological insights for the region Contrary to common perception of widespread groundwater declines only 22–36% of the wells showed statistically significant declines. The use of well depth during dry well periods may slightly underestimate the number of declining wells (by 1%) and rate of decline. Increase in groundwater irrigated area combined with rainfall and power subsidy policy, were the main causative factors for the decline. Groundwater decline after implementation of free-electricity policy in 2004 confirmed the nexus between power subsidy and groundwater. These declines are likely to worsen due to future well drillings. Trends in other regions with similar hydro-geologic conditions need to be analyzed to verify groundwater declines and its linkages with power subsidy. Once established, reforms in power subsidy and well permit policy along with conversion to efficient micro–irrigation may be needed to maintain or enhance groundwater availability in the crystalline aquifer region of India (240 million ha).
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | Research Program : Asia |
| CRP: | CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Agricultural power subsidy; Crystalline aquifer; Groundwater depletion; Irrigation; South India |
| Subjects: | Others |
| Depositing User: | Mr Ramesh K |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Oct 2016 08:31 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Mar 2017 08:35 |
| URI: | http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/9731 |
| Official URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2016.09.005 |
| Projects: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Funders: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Acknowledgement: | We would like to thank ICRISAT Development Center for facilitating the study data procurement from different stategovernment departments. Help of Mr. Sanjay Gupta, IFS, CADA is acknowledged in procuring data. Authors would also liketo acknowledge the help of staff of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) and Groundwater Department of thestate of Telanagana especially Mr. Harinath Rayabarapu and Mr. T. Hansraj in procuring the data. Special thanks to JamesColee, Department of Statistics, University of Florida, for help in statistical analyses of some data. |
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