Groundwater Management in India – Rajasthan State Report

Rajasthan is facing a serious water crisis. With low rainfall, extreme heat, and heavy groundwater extraction, many areas are running out of water. More than 62% of the state’s groundwater blocks are classified as over-exploited or critical, meaning they are using more water than can be naturally replenished. In many regions, groundwater is not just running low—it’s also turning salty and unusable. While policies like the Rajasthan Water Resource Regulatory Act (2012) exist, enforcement is weak, and people continue to extract water without proper management. The report stresses that community-led water conservation, including traditional methods like Johads, Pal-Pokhar, and watershed management, can play a crucial role in fixing the crisis.

Rajasthan’s dry climate makes groundwater one of its most precious resources. Most of the state’s rain falls between June and September, but because of the hot and arid conditions, much of it evaporates or runs off before it can replenish underground water reserves. In western Rajasthan, groundwater is often found deep below the surface and is too salty to use, forcing farmers and communities to dig deeper borewells, further depleting the supply.

The main issue is unregulated groundwater use. Even though Rajasthan has some laws to control extraction, many people continue to drill and pump water without restrictions. The lack of proper aquifer data and climate change are making things worse, leading to falling water tables and increasing droughts.

Some local communities have successfully revived their groundwater using age-old techniques. Johad restoration, watershed projects, and rooftop rainwater harvesting have helped many villages increase their water availability. Programs like Bhujal Jankar train local people to track groundwater levels and manage resources more wisely.

The report urges Rajasthan to combine traditional water conservation techniques with better groundwater policies. If immediate action isn’t taken—through stricter enforcement, community participation, and smarter water use—the state risks running out of water, which would be devastating for farmers, local communities, and the entire ecosystem.

Keywords: Groundwater, Aquifer Management, Water Scarcity, Rainwater Harvesting, Sustainability, Recharge Structures, Watershed Management, Community Participation, Policy Framework, Overexploitation, Rajasthan, Johads, Pal-Pokhar