Fri Oct 24 12:31:43 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
A recent study by scientists from CSIR-NEIST and NGRI highlights the precarious state of groundwater resources in Telangana, India. While the state receives significant rainfall, only a small percentage recharges the groundwater due to geological factors, land use, and erratic rainfall. The study reveals that agriculture, particularly the cultivation of water-intensive crops like rice, and policies such as subsidized electricity, contribute significantly to groundwater depletion. It calls for a comprehensive groundwater management plan, including a shift towards less water-intensive crops, regulations to curb over-extraction, and revisions to electricity policies to promote sustainable water usage.
News Article:
Telangana Groundwater Under Strain: Study Calls for Urgent Action
HYDERABAD, October 24, 2025 – A new study has raised serious concerns about the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources in Telangana, India. Conducted by scientists from the CSIR-Northeast Institute of Science & Technology (NEIST) and the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), the research emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive groundwater management plan to address over-exploitation and ensure water security for the region.
Despite an average annual rainfall of 960 mm, only 10-15% effectively replenishes groundwater reserves due to unfavorable geological formations, land use practices, and inconsistent rainfall patterns. The study estimates that the average annual groundwater recharge is 14.3 billion cubic meters (bcm), with rainfall contributing 11.36 bcm and secondary sources accounting for the remaining 3 bcm.
“Variations in recharge rates are influenced by human-induced extraction for irrigation, climate change, and fluctuating rainfall patterns,” explained Dr. V.M. Tiwari, Director of NEIST and lead author of the study. The research also revealed that agricultural practices, particularly the widespread cultivation of water-intensive crops like rice, maize, and cotton, are major drivers of groundwater depletion. Subsidized electricity and affordable pump technology further exacerbate the problem, encouraging excessive pumping from deep bore wells.
The study points out that rice cultivation, in particular, has expanded dramatically in recent decades, leading to a 2.5-fold increase in groundwater-irrigated areas. This is despite growing awareness among farmers about water scarcity.
Scientists are advocating for a shift towards less water-intensive crops, such as millets, grain legumes, and rainfed crops like oilseeds and pulses. They also recommend crop rotation based on annual water availability.
Beyond agricultural practices, the study calls for a comprehensive groundwater management plan that includes development regulations and electricity policies designed to discourage excessive groundwater exploitation. The scientists involved in the study include Abhilash Kumar Paswan, Ayushi Agarwal, Akarsh Asoka, Ramaswamy Rangarajan, and Shakeel Ahmed. While initiatives like Mission Kakatiya have shown some positive impact, more robust and integrated measures are needed to safeguard Telangana’s vital groundwater resources for future generations.
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