AN ANALYSIS OF GROUNDWATER DEPLETION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN CHURU DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN

Abstract

Groundwater is the primary source of water for drinking, irrigation, and other domestic purposes in the majority areas. Churu district, located in the north-western part of Rajasthan, faces severe groundwater scarcity due to several reasons including low rainfall, high evaporation, increasing population, and excessive extraction of groundwater. The present study mainly focuses on the geographical analysis of groundwater depletion and its associated environmental challenges in Churu district.

The study is mainly based on secondary data collected from several government reports, research journals, and statistical records. The present analysis examines rainfall patterns, groundwater level fluctuations, groundwater exploitation status, irrigation practices, groundwater quality, and environmental impacts. The study reveals that groundwater levels in Churu district have continuously declined over the last two decades due to over-dependence on tube wells and bore wells for agricultural and domestic uses. Most of the blocks in the district fall under the over-exploited category, where groundwater extraction exceeds natural recharge capacity.