Groundwater Development and Management in the Critical Areas of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu States of South India

Abstract

"Liberal energisation of wells, subsidised power tariff for agriculture pumpsets and easy availability of institutional credit have contributed to a surge in groundwater development in Andra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states of south India during the last three decades. The number of wells increased from 1,510,000 in the year 1960, to 2,860,000 in 1985 (Karnataka state registered a more impressive growth rate of 9.8% per annum). In the above period, the area irrigated by wells increased by more than two times."