Explain the factors responsible for the depletion of water table.
The factors responsible for the depletion of water table are asfollows:
(i)Increasing population
As a result of increasing population, all the facilities such ashouses, shops, roads, offices, pavements, etc. increase to fulfil theincreasing demands. This, in turn, decreases the open area forseepage of water into the ground.
(ii)Increasing industries
Most of the stages of manufacturing processes in industriesrequire water. If the number of industries increases, then the waterrequired by them will also increase. Therefore, increase ofindustries contributes to the depletion of water table.
(iii)Agricultural activities
India is an agricultural country and agriculture is impossiblewithout water. The water for agriculture is mainly utilised fromground water, rain water and canal water. As there is no rainfall inmany places, agriculture cannot be entirely depended on rain water.Also, canal water is available in a few places only. Therefore,ground water is the main source of water for agricultural activitiesand this causes depletion of water table.