Rajasthan facing deepening groundwater, fluoride crisis: Vulnerability analysis

Rajasthan is facing a worsening groundwater and public health crisis, with fluoride contamination, falling water tables and rising disease burden affecting large parts of the state, according to a vulnerability analysis prepared by BJP leader Vijay Singh Bainsla.The study, based on groundwater reports, district fact sheets, NITI Aayog multidimensional poverty data and health indicators from 2015 to 2024, said the states groundwater crisis had become structural rather than cyclical as extraction exceeded annual recharge every year during the period under review.According to the analysis, groundwater extraction reached 151 per cent of annual recharge in 2022.

Rajasthan is facing a worsening groundwater and public health crisis, with fluoride contamination, falling water tables and rising disease burden affecting large parts of the state, according to a vulnerability analysis prepared by BJP leader Vijay Singh Bainsla.

The study, based on groundwater reports, district fact sheets, NITI Aayog multidimensional poverty data and health indicators from 2015 to 2024, said the state's groundwater crisis had become ''structural rather than cyclical'' as extraction exceeded annual recharge every year during the period under review.

According to the analysis, groundwater extraction reached 151 per cent of annual recharge in 2022. It meant 1.51 litres were pumped out for every litre naturally replenished. The state's groundwater overdraft touched 4.43 billion cubic metres that year.

The number of over-exploited groundwater blocks in the state rose from 198 in 2015 to 219 in 2022, while safe-category blocks declined from 52 to 38 during the same period, the report said.

It said pre-monsoon groundwater depth deteriorated from 24.5 metres below ground level in 2015 to 28.8 metres in 2024.

''Critical and over-exploited blocks now account for nearly four out of every five groundwater blocks in Rajasthan,'' the analysis said.

The study also examined the impact of poor water quality on health outcomes, particularly in Rajasthan's western fluoride belt covering Nagaur, Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Sikar, and Jhunjhunu.

According to the analysis, 17 districts exceed the Bureau of Indian Standards permissible fluoride limit of 1.5 milligrams per litre, with Nagaur recording the highest fluoride concentration at 5.8 mg/L, almost four times the prescribed limit.

Citing ICMR-linked survey data, the report said 68 per cent of people in Nagaur showed signs of dental fluorosis and 24 per cent suffered from skeletal fluorosis.

The analysis said prolonged consumption of fluoride-contaminated water could lead to irreversible skeletal damage, kidney ailments and cardiovascular stress.

It also pointed to higher mortality indicators in fluoride-affected regions. Districts facing high fluoride contamination recorded infant mortality rates averaging 45.9 per 1,000 live births compared to 37.5 in relatively clean-water districts, the report said.

Barmer recorded the state's highest infant mortality rate at 56 per 1,000 live births.

The study identified Nagaur, Barmer, Jalore, and Jaisalmer among Rajasthan's most vulnerable districts after combining groundwater stress, water contamination, poverty, health burden, and social indicators into a composite index.

More than 46 million people were estimated to be living in districts categorised as having ''high'' or ''extreme'' vulnerability.

The report also highlighted a different pattern of deprivation in southern tribal districts such as Banswara, Dungarpur, and Pratapgarh. These districts showed comparatively safer groundwater quality but high poverty, school dropout, and child marriage levels.

The study said Rajasthan was facing ''parallel vulnerability pathways'' and needed region-specific interventions instead of a uniform statewide approach.

Bainsla also submitted a policy paper titled ''Rajasthan Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability Policy 2026'' to the Chief Minister's Office recently. The proposal seeks a constituency-level accountability system under which MLAs and MPs would be assigned annual groundwater recharge targets.

He said that elected representatives should head groundwater recharge committees in their constituencies. The proposal also suggests that MLAs and MPs spend at least 30 per cent of their local area development funds on recharge works during the first two years.

The policy also suggests quarterly public performance reports, third-party audits, and incentives for constituencies achieving recharge targets.

Bainsla said water scarcity had a direct impact on economic output, public health, and long-term social conditions.

''In my opinion, we are in a state of extreme urgency. The majority of the government's focus should be in this direction as water has a direct correlation with SGDP, health, and socio-economic conditions, and most importantly with the next generation,'' he said.

The analysis proposed a three-tier response strategy. The first phase includes emergency measures over the next 12 months such as installation of defluoridation plants in worst-affected districts, fluorosis screening camps, and a moratorium on new groundwater extraction permits in over-exploited blocks.

The medium-term plan proposes district vulnerability task forces, aquifer recharge projects, and block-level extraction metering. Long-term recommendations include satellite-monitored aquifer management, wastewater recycling, fluorosis rehabilitation centres, and large-scale transition to drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.

Additional Director of the Medical and Health Department, Dr Narottam Sharma, said that the state is running the National Fluorosis Control Programme under the National Health Mission.

''Free fluoride testing in water and urine is available at district hospitals, while ASHA and ANM workers identify patients in affected villages and schools,'' he said.

Physician Dr Praveen Manglunia said fluoride-contaminated water caused joint pain, damaged teeth, and deformities in hands and legs, and stressed the need for fluoride-free drinking water in affected regions.

Geologist Prof MK Pandit said that the groundwater level is gradually declining and the issue needs to be addressed as a priority.

''The reason for this is the accelerating pace of urbanisation. While massive buildings are being constructed, no concrete measures are being taken to conserve water,'' he said.

The government has regulations mandating that large high-rise buildings incorporate water harvesting systems, but regulations should not be treated as a formality.

Water conservation expert Dr SK Jain suggested revival of ponds, lakes, rivers, check dams, and other traditional water bodies through desilting and increasing storage capacity to improve groundwater recharge.