Environmental Impact on Spatial and Temporal Variation in Groundwater Depth: A Case Study of Mahendergarh District, Haryana

Abstract

Groundwater serves as a lifeline for agriculture and household use in semi-arid areas like Mahendergarh district in Haryana. Temporal and spatial analysis reveals a consistent decline in groundwater levels, particularly in intensively cultivated blocks, driven by erratic rainfall patterns, and excessive groundwater extraction for agriculture. This study takes a close look at how groundwater levels have changed both across space and over time across eight administrative blocks between 1991 and 2023. Relying on the latest secondary data from CGWB, the analysis points to a severe decline in water levels, as the district average reached to 50.93 meters below ground level by 2023. Notably, over 81% of the area now falls into the "extremely deep" zone (greater than 30 meters), reflecting over-extraction and limited natural recharge especially by raifall. The worst-affected blocks Ateli, Satnali and Mahendergarh have seen water level drops of more than 30 meters over the study period. On the other hand, Narnaul and Sihma showed some signs of recovery in the most recent decade. These findings highlight the need for urgent, long-term strategies focused on sustainable groundwater management, especially for districts that are already under stress.