like sub-mural injection to borehole and sub-water sprinkler systems. Since groundwater is the most precious resource, it is most vulnerable to contamination. This process of ground water harvesting involves a number of activities like pumping, diversion, abstraction and use of treated sewage wastewater. Ground water is used for domestic purposes like irrigation, agricultural and other applications.
Ground water is mainly extracted by ground water harvesting in boreholes in different geographical areas. The most suitable places are flat terrains with good water table, where water can be accessed easily. The terrains with good water table include continental slopes and mountain ranges. Geographically, certain countries, like India, Pakistan, Taiwan, China, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have very high population densities and have very high annual rainfall.
This article deals with the present study about changes in ground water harvesting from an individual to a group decision making context. According to this study, the present study finds an increasing trend of individuals taking the initiative to draw on groundwater resources for personal use rather than for community use. Increasing individualism has also contributed to this change. Moreover, environmental groups have raised awareness on the adverse effects caused by unregulated groundwater extraction from the environment. A group decision making to manage groundwater resources therefore makes sense.
According to the present study, groundwater is being used for drinking water in Pakistan and in India. Moreover, groundwater is also being used for recharge of water table aquifers and to treat sewage. Although this article is only talking about groundwater, the same basic principle applies. This happens because in the present study population relies heavily on groundwater for its daily use.
On the other hand, according to the present study population will shift towards using the new sources of freshwater. Two most significant changes that will take place within the fresh water system of Pakistan are: the shift towards shared usage and towards direct exchange. This will happen because of two major factors: the growing population of urban areas and increased demand for agricultural products. The latter, the increasing demand for agricultural products will lead to intensification of the growth rates of livestock.
However, direct exchange will happen only between rural and urban areas. The development of cities in Pakistan is far from complete. Moreover, the government has never made any serious attempt to develop the cities. As a result, the availability of ground water is likely to reduce over the years due to non-availability of surface water. This will have serious implications on the development of industries in rural areas.
According to the researchers the future of villages in rural areas will be highly dependent on how their water resources will be handled in future. They are of the opinion that the lack of adequate surface water will lead to conflict between the inhabitants of different villages. The scope for development of these villages will be limited as the scope for exploiting fresh water will also be less. In addition, the scope for earning livelihood will also be less than rural individuals will require land to live on.
Groundwater harvesting plays a crucial role in the sustainable management of natural resources. In fact, it has become a norm for Pakistanis today to look after their water supply. However, in the absence of ground water harvesting, the problems of water scarcity and degradation of water quality will continue. This, in turn, will contribute to further degradation of the environment and to climate change. This will ultimately compel the governments of Pakistan and India to work more on finding solutions that can help them work out a long-term solution.