Groundwater Management in India – Uttar Pradesh State Report

Uttar Pradesh relies heavily on groundwater, with over 75% of its agriculture and 80% of drinking water needs depending on it. However, unregulated extraction is pushing the state towards a crisis, with nearly 138 regions classified as overexploited or critical. The gap between water demand and availability is widening, especially in rainfed regions like Bundelkhand and Vindhya, making sustainable water management a pressing issue. While government policies exist, enforcement is weak, and local participation remains low. On a hopeful note, community-driven solutions like watershed management, talab rejuvenation, and the revival of traditional Haveli systems have shown positive results in groundwater conservation.

Groundwater is being overused faster than it can be replenished. Farmers increasingly depend on tube wells, industries extract water without limits, and erratic rainfall worsens the situation. The Ganga basin aquifer, one of India’s largest water sources, is under immense stress, while regions like Bundelkhand struggle with severe droughts and declining well levels. Climate change and water-intensive crops make matters worse.

The Uttar Pradesh Ground Water Act (2019) and State Water Policy (2010) were designed to regulate water use, but they lack strong enforcement and fail to involve local communities. Many regions still operate without proper aquifer management, and government-led recharge initiatives remain insufficient.

Despite the challenges, some communities are taking matters into their own hands. Farmers in certain villages have revived traditional rainwater harvesting methods, factories are reducing water waste, and NGOs are promoting better irrigation techniques. The Haveli system in Bundelkhand has successfully improved water retention, helping farmers sustain crops even during dry seasons. The report urges better policy implementation, scientific aquifer mapping, and stronger community involvement to secure Uttar Pradesh’s water future.

Keywords: Groundwater, Extraction, Recharge, Irrigation, Aquifers, Sustainability, Conservation, Utilization, Management, Uttar Pradesh, Haveli system, Bundelkhand