Groundwater Crisis in North India: A report on Water-Intensive Agriculture
Introduction Groundwater is the lifeline of agriculture in North India. States such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh produce a large share of India's wheat and rice, making them critical to national food security. However, decades of intensive farming and excessive groundwater extraction have pushed the region toward a serious water crisis. Today, large parts of North India are withdrawing groundwater faster than nature can replenish it, threatening agricultural sustainability, rural livelihoods, and long-term water security. The Green Revolution: Success with Hidden Costs The origins of the current groundwater crisis can be traced to the Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. Key Features of the Green Revolution Introduction of high-yielding wheat and rice varieties Expansion of irrigation infrastructure Increased use of fertilizers and pesticides Government procurement of food grains Assured Minimum Support Prices (MSP) Benefits Rapid increase in food production Reduction ...