TUESDAY, JULY 02, 2024
Rohit Sinha, Anirudh Kishore
As we stand on the edge of another monsoon season, a growing crisis beneath our feet demands attention. Groundwater, the lifeline that supports much of our daily lives, is in a precarious state. Once reliable underground reservoirs are now struggling with demand, facing threats from climate change, developmental demands, and poor management. The upcoming Sao Joao festival, celebrated at the onset of the monsoon when wells fill up, presents an opportune moment to reflect on Goa’s critical groundwater situation.
Goa’s groundwater is a living, breathing resource that comes alive with the monsoon. While largely invisible, it pulses through the aquifer systems beneath our feet, much like surface waters flow through rivers and lakes. These aquifers, with their own recharge and discharge areas, sustain us by storing and releasing water. Approximately 81% of the state’s soils are lateritic, which are excellent for groundwater recharge.
According to Goa’s Groundwater Resource Assessment 2022, during the pre-monsoon period, water levels of less than 2 meters below ground level (mbgl) were seen in parts of Bardez, Ponda, Quepem, and Salcete, while levels between 2 to 5 mbgl were widespread.
Post monsoons there was a notable improvement across nearly all talukas, with water levels of less than 2 mbgl observed across the state. Yet, many areas experience water scarcity during dry spells, creating a paradox of abundance in some places and drought in others. This imbalance is a consequence of human activity and climatic changes that disrupt natural recharge processes.
Recently, residents of Panjim have faced water cuts, while those in rural areas like Sanguem report wells running dry earlier than usual. These instances highlight the complexity in understanding and managing our groundwater. Over 90% of Goa’s annual rainfall occurs during the monsoon, crucial for recharging groundwater levels for the year, which drop significantly during dry months. Approximately 80% of the state’s groundwater is replenished by this rainfall after all.
However, the predictability and intensity of these rains are increasingly erratic due to climate change, making it challenging to rely solely on natural recharge processes. The state’s groundwater levels exhibit significant seasonal variations, which increases post-monsoons, but this is not enough to sustain the year-round demand.
Several factors complicate the effective management and recharge of groundwater in Goa. Firstly, climate change has made monsoons more unpredictable. Intense rainfall events lead to rapid runoff rather than slow infiltration, reducing the effectiveness of natural recharge. Secondly, expanding urbanization and developmental activities have led to increased water demand, often met by local groundwater. This urban sprawl is accompanied by concretization of roads and felling of trees, which significantly reduces the natural recharge of groundwater across the terrain.
The lack of proper drainage planning leads to significant runoff and flooding, as seen recently in Panjim, exacerbated by ongoing Smart City works. Environmental changes, such as the loss of wetlands and increased concrete surfaces, are leading to water shortages even when rainfall is sufficient.
Adding to the problem, many groundwater extraction activities go unchecked. Illegal wells and private tanker markets draw water without regulation, exacerbating the depletion of already strained reserves. It is not just about the quantity; it’s about how we manage and sustain this precious resource.
Moreover, the state’s water management practices have not kept pace with these challenges. While the Goa Groundwater Policy of 2015 provides recommendations for regulating extraction and general recharge practices, it overlooks the critical need to identify specific recharge and discharge areas within the state’s aquifer systems. This information is essential to guide where recharge practices should be implemented. This oversight neglects a crucial part of sustainable management: ensuring effective recharge while reliably monitoring extraction.
Despite these challenges, Goa is not yet classified as a water-stressed state, but we are close. The current calculation of per capita water availability in Goa, which is 1,807 cubic meters for 2021, is based on outdated population data. An accurate reflection of the actual population as of 2024 could be significantly higher. Even a slight increase in the population could push Goa into the water-stressed category according to the Falkenmark indicator, which considers a region water-stressed if renewable water availability falls below 1,700 cubic meters per person per year. This precarious situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management practices, including scientifically informed groundwater recharge.
Artificial recharge is essential to supplement natural processes. This involves constructing recharge structures in areas with high recharge potential, enhancing groundwater levels sustainably.
Goa has made some progress with water conservation structures and expanded groundwater irrigation activities reflected in the annual groundwater recharge in 2021 compared to previous couple years. However, a comparison of recharge from non-rainfall sources since the last decade shows a decreasing trend, dropping by about 22%. This suggests that such efforts need to be scaled up significantly to meet the growing demand and mitigate the impacts of erratic rainfall patterns.
Effective groundwater management also requires a robust monitoring and regulatory framework. Currently, not all groundwater extraction is monitored, leading to illegal extractions that worsen resource depletion. Strengthening regulatory mechanisms and ensuring compliance is crucial to maintaining sustainable groundwater levels.
In addition to technical solutions, community-based management practices play a pivotal role in groundwater conservation. Traditional water management systems, such as spring-fed tanks, irrigation bandharas, and wells, have been integral to Goa’s water culture. Managed by local communities, these systems have proven effective in maintaining water balance and promoting sustainable use.
The Goa Groundwater Policy’s emphasis on geo-tagging water bodies is a step in the right direction. However, both Goa’s state water and groundwater policies should not undermine the role of community ownership and management. Integrating community-based institutions into groundwater management through more participatory forms can enhance stewardship, local knowledge, and accountability, often lacking in top-down approaches, command-and-control approaches.
The Sao Joao festival, coinciding with the onset of the rains and the replenishment of wells and aquifers, offers a timely reminder of the importance of water in our lives. As we celebrate, it is imperative to reflect on our water usage practices and commit to sustainable groundwater management. This involves not only relying on government initiatives but also taking collective action at the community level.
Public awareness campaigns, educational programs, and community engagement initiatives are essential to foster a culture of water conservation. Additionally, the government must prioritize investments in infrastructure that supports groundwater recharge, such as rainwater harvesting systems, treated wastewater reuse, and the construction of recharge wells.
Goa stands at a critical juncture where immediate and sustained action is required to safeguard its groundwater resources. By embracing a holistic approach that combines artificial recharge, robust regulatory frameworks, and community-based management, we can ensure the longevity and sustainability of this precious resource. As we celebrate Sao Joao, let us also celebrate our commitment to preserving Goa’s groundwater for future generations.
Let us envision a Goa where water crises are a thing of the past, where our aquifers are healthy and robust, and where every resident understands the value of the water beneath their feet. This Sao Joao, let’s make a pledge to protect and manage our groundwater resources wisely, ensuring a secure and sustainable future for all.
(Rohit Sinha is an economist and a strategy consultant. Anirudh Kishore is a climate consultant and a water practitioner)
