Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 09:53am on 27 Oct 2023,Friday India
A United Nations report warns that certain areas in the Indo-Gangetic basin, India, have crossed the groundwater depletion tipping point. By 2025, the entire northwestern region is expected to suffer critically low groundwater availability. The "Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2023" by the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security identifies six environmental tipping points, including groundwater depletion, leading to irreversible ecosystem and climate changes. Over 70% of groundwater is used for agriculture, but many major aquifers worldwide are depleting faster than they can naturally replenish, risking food production and water access. India, the world's largest groundwater user, is particularly vulnerable, with Punjab and Haryana facing imminent shortages. Jack O'Connor, the report's lead author, emphasizes the need for urgent action to avert these crises.
