Sustainable groundwater management at micro watershed level: an empirical analysis in Koppal district, Karnataka

Groundwater is a strategic resource due to its usually high quality and perennial availability. However, groundwater management all over the world often lacks sustainability as evidenced by falling water tables, drying wetlands, increasing seawater intrusion and general deterioration of water quality. As groundwater cannot be renewed artificially on a large scale, sustainable management of this resource is vital. For sustainable water management, however, the renewal rate is more relevant and for this quantity the situation is reversed. The renewal rate of surface water resources is 30,000 km³/a, that of groundwater only about 3,000 km³/a. Worldwide, about 800 km³ of groundwater are utilized by mankind annually. This number still looks considerably smaller than the yearly renewal rate. The study covers district of Hyderabad Karnataka region– Koppal district where, Sujala–III watershed development program is being implemented by the watershed development department, Govt. of Karnataka. Sample micro watersheds were selected based on data and information such as number of wells (Tube wells and Open Wells), rainfall, cropping pattern and area under irrigation and agro-climatic conditions etc. Management include determination of groundwater recharge (supply side) and use for different purpose (demand factors), with estimation of its uncertainty and the interfacing to the socio-economics. It is concluded that sustainability of groundwater use in watershed area requires creation of awareness in the community about its importance and management techniques by involving local communities in planning and implementation.