Pune: Groundwater level drops in all the 13 tehsils of the district, urgent measures sought
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Groundwater levels across all 13 tehsils in Pune district have dropped considerably in March, with Purandar, Shirur, and Baramati reporting the most substantial depletions of up to one meter, according to a recent study. The Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA) found that this represents the most severe groundwater depletion observed in the last four to five years.
Senior geologist Diwakar Dhote from GSDA stressed on the need for urgent measures to control and reverse this rapid decline. He suggested for making rainwater harvesting mandatory and utilizing defunct borewells and wells as recharge systems to help restore the groundwater levels.
The study highlighted that in Purandar, the average water table stood at 7.02 meters last month, compared to a five-year average of 5.92 meters. Similarly, in Shirur and Baramati, water levels were higher than their respective five-year averages, underscoring the ongoing water scarcity issues and the critical need for conservation measures.
Experts stress that implementing these groundwater recharge systems is especially vital in drought-prone areas to mitigate the impact of deficient rainfall and ensure sustainable water resources for agriculture and daily use.
