Context: A six-month analysis and investigation highlight how water-intensive crops, unchecked groundwater extraction, and lack of policy enforcement are pushing
- Uttar Pradesh is the largest extractor of freshwater for irrigation in India, extracting 46 billion cubic meters (bcm) of groundwater in 2023.
- From 2013 to 2023, Uttar Pradesh pumped out 238 bcm of groundwater, with over 90% of it used for irrigation.
- In the Ganga, Yamuna, and Ram Ganga River basins, covering much of the state, groundwater extraction has exceeded the safe limit of 70%.
Water Exploitation Report of Uttar Pradesh
- In Resource Assessment – 2017: Nine districts in Uttar Pradesh—Agra, Amroha, Firozabad, G.B. Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Hathras, Sambhal, and Shamli—are highly exploited, with groundwater extraction exceeding 100%. Ghaziabad has the highest exploitation at 128%.
- Groundwater surplus zone: Lakhimpur Kheri has the largest extractable groundwater potential in Uttar Pradesh at 2.24 lakh ham, followed by Sitapur with 1.97 lakh ham. Other nearby districts—Hardoi, Unnao, and Raebareli—hold 1.71, 1.76, and 1.12 lakh ham, respectively. These findings suggest that Central U.P. districts in the Lucknow Revenue Division could become a hub for future groundwater development through water-efficient practices.
- Areas of Huge Extraction: The total groundwater extraction of 45.84 bcm in Uttar Pradesh, 27% (12.69 bcm) comes from 11 districts—Saharanpur, Bulandshahar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Jaunpur, Barabanki, Unnao, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Hardoi, and Prayagraj—each extracting over 1 lakh ham (1 bcm). Saharanpur and Bulandshahar are the top exploiters.
Measures Taken by the UP Government
- Illegal extraction of groundwater made a punishable offense under the UP-Groundwater Management and Regulation Act, 2019.
- Expert body formed to review and update the State Water Policy of 1999, addressing current challenges and setting a roadmap.
- Real-time monitoring of water bodies to predict issues like floods or droughts and ensure transparent project implementation.
- Focus on river health by implementing sewage treatment plants to reduce pollution and improve water quality.
- UP Wetland Authority was notified under the Forest Department to protect wetlands; six wetlands were designated under the UN Ramsar Convention.
- Khet Talab Yojana: The state government provides a 50% grant to farmers for converting a part of their farm into a pond to conserve water for farming under this scheme.