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Examining the emerging role of groundwater in water inequity in India

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  • Veena Srinivasan
  • Seema Kulkarni

Abstract

This article addresses a gap in the water equity literature arising from the simultaneous use of surface water and groundwater in India. Using two diverse case studies - one agricultural (Kukdi) and one urban (Chennai) - we demonstrate how gaps in planning, design and policy exacerbate inequity. Groundwater abstraction from user wells allows wealthier users to both free-ride and capture a greater share of the resource. By converting a public resource to a private one, it worsens inequity and jeopardizes the sustainability of water projects. The article suggests that better monitoring, inter-agency coordination and rethinking water entitlements and norms are needed for going forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Veena Srinivasan & Seema Kulkarni, 2014. "Examining the emerging role of groundwater in water inequity in India," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(2), pages 172-186, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rwinxx:v:39:y:2014:i:2:p:172-186
    DOI: 10.1080/02508060.2014.890998
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shah, T., 2003. "Sustaining Asia's groundwater boom: an overview of issues and evidence," IWMI Books, Reports H043763, International Water Management Institute.
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    2. Mohsin Riaz & Muhammad Ashfaq & Ismet Boz & Pomi Shahbaz, 2023. "The Dynamics of the Relationship Between Water Availability, Water Equity, Economic Benefits and Water User Associations’ Performance: A PLS-SEM Approach," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 37(11), pages 4537-4552, September.
    3. Ameur, Fatah & Kuper, Marcel & Lejars, Caroline & Dugué, Patrick, 2017. "Prosper, survive or exit: Contrasted fortunes of farmers in the groundwater economy in the Saiss plain (Morocco)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 207-217.
    4. Dennis Wichelns, 2015. "Water productivity and water footprints are not helpful in determining optimal water allocations or efficient management strategies," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(7), pages 1059-1070, November.
    5. Audrey Richard-Ferroudji & Nicolas Faysse & Zhour Bouzidi & Menon Ragunath & Jean-Daniel Rinaudo, 2016. "Proposal COSUST Special Issue « Co-designing Research on Social Transformations to Sustainability » Title: The DIALAQ project on sustainable groundwater management: a transdisciplinary and transcultur," Post-Print hal-01378517, HAL.
    6. Sarbani Mukherjee & Durba Biswas, 2016. "An Enquiry into Equity Impact of Groundwater Markets in the Context of Subsidised Energy Pricing: A Case Study," IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, , vol. 5(1), pages 63-73, January.

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