An analysis of groundwater vulnerability and water policy reform in India

Abstract

Water is a basic human need, a finite life support system and a key to prosperity. Unplanned industrialisation, urbanisation and impact of liberalised import of wastes intended for recycling have negatively affected the water environments in India. This is further exaggerated by lack of discipline and a weak obligation towards conservation and pollution prevention. Measures have to be especially taken to resolve the groundwater problems. While groundwater resources are quite well assessed, overexploitation still occurs frequently. There has been a considerable lack in implementing existing policies as well as developing new laws and policies. To mitigate the problems, co-operation needs to be mobilised at all levels of the federal set up with the stakeholders and the people at the lowest appropriate level concerning planning and decision making. Water must be considered as a national asset and a basic human right to be provided to citizens in proper quantity and safe quality with equity and fairness amongst the users.

In quest of green practices in manufacturing industries through literature review

“…Many of the rivers, lakes and coastal environments have been polluted by industrial effluents. Too diminutive attention has been paid to control the disposal of hazardous industrial wastes to prevent risk to people or outflow to the environment (Chaudhary et al , 2002). In various manufacturing industries, toxic materials are extensively used for product development and process operations.…”

Examining India’s Groundwater Quality Management

“…Bacteria. Indian cities are estimated to generate 20 million m 3 of sewage per day, and only 10% of this sewage is treated prior to reaching groundwater or surface water resources (8). Furthermore, the majority of Indian domestic waste is improperly disposed.…”

“…Pesticide consumption increased rapidly in India through the green revolution and into the mid 1990s, reaching 74.323 billion metric tons in the year 1995 (8). Pesticide residues affect groundwater for longer time periods than surface water as the soil can accumulate these contaminants, which may steadily leach into groundwater.…”

“…Pesticide residues affect groundwater for longer time periods than surface water as the soil can accumulate these contaminants, which may steadily leach into groundwater. In the district of Howrah, West Bengal for example, the groundwater of many areas is unfit for drinking due to elevated pesticide levels (8).…”

Assessment of the impact of pesticide usage in groundwater aquifer of an agriculturally dominated area in North West India

“…Kole & Bagchi (1995) conducted a survey by drawing drinking water samples from various hand pumps and wells around Bhopal and found that more than half of the samples were contaminated with Organo Chlorine pesticides above the EPA standards. Chaudhary et al (2002) showed the elevated levels of pesticides in the groundwater aquifer in Howrah district rendering the water unfit for drinking purposes. Sankararamakrishnan et al (2005) conducted the groundwater quality analysis of Kanpur, India and reported the presence of high concentration of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides.…”