The management of groundwater resources for sustainable development is a challenging task in India because of its vast geographical extent (3287000 km2), where about 1250 million people live. As a result, the Country is facing scarcity of drinking water quite often. This situation compels to adopt management practices for the development of sustainable groundwater resources. The objective of the paper is to focus on need of adoption of appropriate management strategies for sustainable development of groundwater resources. In view of this the groundwater situation in India as reflected through published literature has been discussed, in which the causes of scarcity, aquifer situation, and groundwater assessment in India have been explained. Based on this study the future approach for groundwater management to achieve the objective of sustainable development has been suggested. This paper provides insight to all the controlling factors affecting groundwater resources in India. Based on this, suggestions for future implementation of water conservation programmes have also been discussed. The present study shows that despite availability of ample groundwater resources the country faces drinking water scarcity quite often. This fact needs further analysis of scarcity situation to provide everlasting solution of problems related to groundwater.
Sustainable development; groundwater development; controlling factors; India.