This presentation by ACWADAM deals with climate change and its impacts on long-term replenishment of groundwater. The presentation provides an overview of the current insights and knowledge on climate change impacts and gives an overview of best options for developing and safeguarding groundwater resources.

The definition of climate change is presented as a change in the statistical distribution of weather over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years. Its causes are - variations in solar radiations, plate tectonics, volcanism and change in earth’s orbit and axis.

Some facts pertaining to climate change are presented such an increase in temperature, untimely rains, retreat of glaciers, drying up of rivers/springs. The particular case of climate change impact in India is described as one marked by damage to aquatic ecosystems due to reduced flows in the streams/ rivers.

Groundwater will be less directly and more slowly impacted by climate change, as compared to surface water as rivers get replenished on a shorter time scale but neglecting this intricate resource may lead to overall mismanagement of water given the link between groundwater and surface water.

In normal condition, impact will be visible in a decade but due to overuse of the resource in one part and under use in the other part it is difficult to assess the impacts. In case of groundwater, anthropogenic conditions override. The major impact of climate change on surface water is on quality and availability of groundwater.

The presentation concludes with a strategy to defy climate change -

• Resource planning
• State-wise strategy should be developed.
• Groundwater management is necessary.
• Drinking water and food security should be the top priority.
• Detail research should be done specifically on groundwater to assess the impacts in greater detail.

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