Intensive use of groundwater in North Gujarat, India - Challenges and opportunities

Gujarat is the western most state of India with dry climate having erratic and unreliable rainfall. in absence of any perennial source groundwater is the most dependable source of water in this part of the country. However this region has witnessed intensive use of groundwater in recent past mainly owing to an enhanced development process coupled with exponential growth in population. The frequent drought has also abated the groundwater depletion process endangering the sustainability of the life process. This paper discusses the causes and consequences of the intensive use of groundwater and identifies the measures towards addressing the challenges posed by it.