Groundwater Crisis vis-à-vis Sustainable Development: A Socio-Legal Exploration

Abstract

ISRO, World Bank, NITI Aayog and other authorities have alarmed India about serious Groundwater Crisis. NITI Aayog reports, till 2030 the demand for water will likely to be double the available supply and India is highest groundwater user at global level. The main reasons behind the crisis are: over-extraction, lack of legal restrictions and mismanagement of available resources. There are adverse social impacts which lead to social disturbance, violation of fundamental rights and other social setbacks. To combat this crisis and to achieve sustainable development goals, ‘Management’ of groundwater resources is the need of the hour which will ultimately result into ‘healthy’ society. The Judiciary has also contributed to this social illness through landmark decisions and guidelines which underline the performance of various authorities in connection with Groundwater Management. ‘Law’ plays a significant role by hitting all purposes which are to be achieved while fighting with this extremity. The Researcher here throws light and tries to analyse Socio-Legal perspectives of Groundwater Crisis and factors which are holding back ‘Sustainable Development’.