Importance of Recharging Depleted Aquifers: State of the Art of Artificial Recharge in India

Though India is blessed with good rainfall, large amount of it is lost through runoff and it cannot be impounded on the surface for want of suitable sites for storage. The varied hydrogeologic conditions prevalent prevent rapid infiltration into groundwater reservoirs. 'There is thus an imbalance between recharge and groundwater development in many parts of the country. The over-extraction of groundwater resources has affected the agricultural economy and has caused serious shortage of water for drinking. It is imperative that runoff which is going waste should be harvested and utilised for recharging depleted aquifers.

Realising this many artificial recharge projects have been taken up by the Central and State Groundwater Departments. There are other agencies who have come up with methods for recharging depleted aquifers. Results obtained are impressive.