Spatiotemporal analysis of surface water and groundwater resources in Rajasthan, India

Unsustainable groundwater extraction and use is a significant issue in India's arid and semi-arid regions, where surface water is scarce. According to the Central Ground Water Board 2023, groundwater accounts for nearly 62% of irrigation water, serving as a primary source for irrigation and domestic supply. Rajasthan, characterised by its arid and semi-arid climate, faces significant challenges in groundwater management due to increasing water demand, climate variability, and unsustainable extraction practices. The western region is most affected by arid climate and low rainfall, varying from 250 mm to 650 mm annually. Expanding agriculture strains limited freshwater resources in the state, shifting the state's dependency on groundwater and leading to excess groundwater withdrawal (the stage of groundwater development is 148.17% in CGWB report, 2023). This study analyses spatial and temporal patterns of rainfall, temperature, surface water resources and groundwater level fluctuations, as well as water demand (including water demand for agriculture) in the state using finer-scale data. The study also reviews current surface and groundwater resources related policies designed to address water scarcity challenges in the state.