Sustainability of groundwater resources at the subnational level in the context of sustainable development goals

The study examines long run trends in groundwater level and identifies areas that have been facing depletion of groundwater resources. The results show ample opportunity to harness the under-developed groundwater resources in the eastern region, but some areas have started facing the problem of groundwater depletion. This should be taken as an early warning signal, requiring adoption of sustainable approaches/practices for the groundwater use. The southern and western parts of the country witness a rising trend in groundwater depth. Punjab, Haryana and parts of Rajasthan continue to be hot spots of groundwater depletion. Promoting integrated water resources management, maintaining well density and optimum inter-well distance, rationalizing electricity subsidy and using water-efficient technologies stand important to improve the sustainability of groundwater resource.