Groundwater Crisis of Gujarat: Which Districts Extract The Most?

Gujarat is facing a serious groundwater crisis as the use of underground water has reached an alarming level. Government data shows that districts are extracting much more groundwater than the amount that is naturally recharged during the monsoon season.

Experts warn that if this continues, the state may face a severe shortage of drinking water and irrigation water in the coming years.

Every year, water is being pumped out through thousands of borewells and wells at a much faster rate than it can return to the ground. As a result, the groundwater level is falling rapidly, especially in North and Central Gujarat.

Districts with the Highest Groundwater Use

The most affected districts are those where farming and industries depend heavily on groundwater. Farmers are drilling deeper borewells every year to meet irrigation needs, while industries also use large amounts of underground water. 

The districts with the highest groundwater extraction are:

•  Mehsana
• Gandhinagar
•  Patan
•  Banaskantha

In comparison, districts like Dang, Panchmahal, and Bharuch use much less groundwater because they receive better rainfall or depend on other water sources.

Future Water Shortage: Environmental experts say that the continuous overuse of groundwater is drying up natural water sources and reducing the water table. If groundwater levels continue to fall, many villages and towns may struggle to get clean drinking water. Farmers could also face serious irrigation problems, leading to lower crop production and financial losses.