India is the largest user of groundwater in the world, withdrawing about 230 billion cubic meters every year. This is why the groundwater level has gone down, which leads to drying up of water bodies even in good monsoon years

Just a few days back people living in Naruar village lived regular lives. The intertwining night of June 13-14 changed everything when flood water gushed into their village and washed away everything that came in its way, including the cement and brick structures -- their homes -- and all their belongings. After water level receded, they came back to their "homes" to look for their belongings ranging from bikes to cattle, clothes, furniture, utensils and important documents

People living in villages close to the Sandila Industrial Area, 55 kms from Lucknow, say the alcohol, sugar and milk factories are rampantly using groundwater, because of which they have to struggle for water every single day

Many decades back, wells were not only chief source of drinking water and irrigation for people, they were also part of the villagers' culture and tradition. However, depleting underground water level seems to be changing all that and the climate change seems to be the biggest culprit

A participatory national campaign called Napo Jal, Bachao Kal was launched in 2020 to map and measure wells across the villages of India and to enhance the collective understanding of groundwater as a shared, common resource. This year, the aim is to map at least 50,000 wells across the country.

Several blocks in India’s most flood-prone state experience groundwater scarcity. Paani Samitis can promote efficient use of water for irrigation, improve access to potable water, and promote adoption of indigenous water conservation practices.

Locals who live in the hills say rampant deforestation has led to the “forest rivers” going dry. These small rivers and streams used to be the major source of water for people living in the hills. Now locals are forced to look at other options