Impact of Agricultural Practices on Groundwater Quality and Quantity in Rajpura Block in Meerut District

Abstract

In much of rural India, groundwater is the main source of irrigation and drinking water. The quality and availability of this essential resource have changed dramatically in recent decades due to the rapid intensification of agriculture. The current study examines how contemporary farming methods affect the quantity and quality of groundwater in Rajpura Block, which is situated in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The area is representative of the Indo-Gangetic plains' typical agriculturally intensive landscape, where continuous groundwater abstraction, high fertilizer application, and intensified irrigation have become the norm.

During the pre- and post-monsoon seasons, primary data were gathered from representative groundwater sources and agricultural fields. Chemical contamination and depletion trends were assessed by analyzing parameters like groundwater depth, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and nitrate concentration. In order to evaluate cropping patterns, irrigation techniques, and fertilizer usage, farmer surveys were also carried out. The findings show that while declining groundwater levels are a result of ongoing over-extraction for irrigation, elevated nitrate levels in multiple locations indicate leaching from nitrogen-based fertilizers. Groundwater stress and intensive farming zones appear to be strongly correlated, according to spatial patterns.

The findings highlight that unsustainable agricultural practices are a major driver of groundwater deterioration in Rajpura Block. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers, flood irrigation techniques, and the cultivation of water-intensive crops have collectively accelerated groundwater depletion and contamination. This study emphasizes the urgent need for integrated water resource management, promotion of balanced fertilizer application, adoption of micro-irrigation systems, and farmer awareness programs. The outcomes provide a scientific basis for policymakers and local stakeholders to develop sustainable agriculture strategies aimed at protecting groundwater resources and ensuring long-term water security.