Explain the factors responsible for depletion of the water table.
Following factors are responsible for depletion of the water table:
$$\text{1. Increasing population}$$ – As a result of increasing population, all the facilities such as houses, shops, roads, offices, pavements etc. increases to fulfill the increasing demands. This, in turn, decreases the open area for seepage of water into the ground.
$$\text{2. Industrialization}$$ – Most of the stages of manufacturing processes in industries require water. If the number of industries increases, then the water required by them will also increase. Therefore, increase of industries contributes to depletion of the water table.
$$\text{3. Agricultural activities}$$ – India is an agricultural country and agriculture is impossible without water. The water for agriculture is mainly utilized from groundwater, rainwater and canal water. As there is no rainfall in many places, agriculture cannot be entirely dependent on rainwater. Also, canal water is available in a few places only.
Therefore, groundwater is the main source of water for agricultural activities and this causes depletion of water table.