1) Groundwater irrigation has rapidly increased in India since the 1950s due to private ownership, on demand availability, and flexibility. However, overexploitation of groundwater has led to depletion and scarcity in many areas. 2) While some regions of India are facing groundwater scarcity, other areas still have significant groundwater potential that could help alleviate rural poverty if sustainably utilized. 3) Political and economic factors, rather than physical availability, are the main barriers preventing sustainable groundwater use and poverty alleviation in areas with available groundwater reserves.

1. Economics, ethics and politics of groundwater Dr. Aditi Mukherji IWMI 5 th World Water Forum, Istanbul 20 th March 2009 Water Ethics

2. The Big Picture *GW: Groundwater Source: Government of India data, 1950-2000 Rapid rise in GW* irrigation Private ownership On demand irrigation Timeliness Adequacy Flexibility

3. Rising contribution of groundwater Source : Deb Roy, A., and T. Shah, 2003. 'Socio-Ecology of Groundwater Irrigation in India' . In Llamas, R and E. Custodio (eds.): Intensive Use of Groundwater: Challenges and Opportunities. Swets and Zetlinger Publishing Co., the Netherlands, pp: 307-335. 1970-73 1990-93 BUT, depletion, scarcity and over-exploitation have emerged as serious problems

4. The Problem Statement Are depletion and scarcity the only reality? Are there pockets of under-utilization? Can GW alleviate poverty in these regions? Source: Central Groundwater Board (CGWB), 2004 Eastern Indo-Gangetic basin has huge GW potential

5. Source: Figure created by Aditi Mukherji, 2009 using data from Government of India sources. Concentrated Rural poverty

6. Source: Aditi Mukherji (author) And dieselised GW economy “ The energy squeeze” Leading to economic scarcity of GW in a land of abundance

7. If the solution exists, why not implement? The political ecology perspective GW policies Agrarian politics GW resources

9. Thank You For more information visit : http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/Publications/Book_Chapters/index.aspx#