Rapid socioeconomic development and population growth are escalating groundwater overexploitation, creating a potential crisis in Asia and the Pacific.
Demand for groundwater has increased steadily in Asia and the Pacific in recent decades, driven by rapid socioeconomic development and population growth.
Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, the People’s Republic of China, and Türkiye today account for more than 60% of groundwater withdrawal, making Asia and the Pacific the region with the highest groundwater abstraction in the world.
Meanwhile, in countries such as Indonesia and Viet Nam, as much as 79% of the population depends on groundwater for drinking. However, groundwater overexploitation has raised concerns about resource sustainability and environmental degradation, and in turn the associated impacts on climate change and societal well-being.
Groundwater issues plague economies throughout the region. For instance, groundwater levels in the North China Plain have declined by about 1 meter per year since the 1980s due to the intensification of socioeconomic development.
But there has been little advancement toward sustainability. In some of the People’s Republic of China’s coastal areas, depletion has even induced significant seawater intrusion. According to one study, over 80% of the People’s Republic of China’s monitored wells are polluted, and more than 80 million people continue to consume high-salinity groundwater. Drinking such contaminated groundwater can have health-related risks, and problems can take years or decades to manifest.
In India, groundwater supplies about 60% of agricultural water and 85% of drinking water. However, with Delhi’s population set to quadruple in the next 50 years, the issue of meeting water demand amid fast groundwater depletion and pollution is concerning. In Iran, the groundwater situation is being exacerbated by several causes, including rising temperatures, the ongoing urbanization process, and increased wheat production.
Land subsidence and problems with water quality have been exacerbated by subsequent drops in groundwater levels. Other Asian economies are also facing major challenges due to unsustainable groundwater production.
Significant hurdles have hampered progress toward groundwater sustainability in Asia and the Pacific. The primary issue is the dilemma of choosing between groundwater supply and national development. Population growth, economic development, and poverty eradication are often more important in developing countries.
Limiting the production of groundwater and therefore food production can be challenging since groundwater may quickly expand agricultural productivity, which is structurally a vital part of the economies of many countries.
The second problem is an insufficient operational framework. In Pakistan, for example, an effective regulatory framework and greater technological capacity is needed, while in India a greater focus on existing regulations would improve groundwater management.
Ensuring the sustainability of groundwater resources and the security of water is as important as developing socioeconomic conditions and serving countries’ populations.
A lack of data and transparent information is another problem that affects the entire region. In most areas, some basic water-level data are available, but detailed information on groundwater quantity and quality with critical parameters is mostly scattered. There is even less information available to the public on the threats to sustainability posed by groundwater contamination.
Groundwater is an integral component of both the ecosystem and human society, and it must be handled sustainably. Enhancing cooperation across different levels of government is a necessary step in solving the problem of fragmented management. A thorough and consistent framework, as well as communication, is necessary for effective management implementation.
It is also crucial for governments to establish an integrated network for data monitoring that can be used to evaluate aquifer changes and better assess the problems related to groundwater resources. Scientific support should also be strengthened for analyzing the effects on the quantity and quality of groundwater and providing a comprehensive viewpoint for decision making.
Bridging the theory-practice gap will also help to reinforce technological capability. Furthermore, information should remain transparent for easy access, and can be shared via newsletters or online platforms. Encouraging public engagement will be beneficial for regulating agricultural and industrial activities as well as improving water conservation in relation to water-saving technologies.
Ensuring the sustainability of groundwater resources and the security of water is as important as developing socioeconomic conditions and serving countries’ populations. To create a promising and sustainable future together, scholars, policy makers, and organizations must take prompt action on groundwater issues.
Source : Asian Development Blog
