Understanding Groundwater – The Hidden System: Lessons from India

Groundwater is one of the most critical components of the water cycle and the primary source of freshwater for drinking, agriculture, industry, and ecosystems across India. It supports nearly every aspect of human and ecological well-being, yet remains largely invisible—both physically, as it lies beneath the surface, and institutionally, as it often receives less attention than surface water systems.

Unlike rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, groundwater systems cannot be easily observed, measured, or understood without specialised knowledge and tools. Their slow movement, complex geological controls, and delayed response to stress make them particularly vulnerable to unsustainable extraction and contamination. Over time, this invisibility has contributed to widespread depletion, declining water quality, loss of groundwater-dependent ecosystems, and increasing inequity in access.

The proposed webinar series seeks to shift how groundwater is perceived—from an unseen, extractive resource to a dynamic, living system embedded within the hydrological cycle, ecosystems, and society. By integrating scientific understanding, community engagement, and technological innovation, the series aims to foster a holistic and systems-oriented approach to groundwater management.

The first webinar seeks to establish a strong foundational understanding of groundwater systems and their role within the hydrological cycle.

The webinar series is designed for a diverse and interdisciplinary audience, including:

• Water and environmental professionals
• Postgraduate students and early-career researchers
• Policy makers and government officials
• Urban planners and infrastructure professionals
• NGOs, civil society organisations, and community leaders
• Academics and educators
• Technology developers and data professionals working in water systems

By the end of the series, participants will be able to:

• Explain groundwater processes and their integration within the hydrological cycle
• Recognise groundwater as a socio-ecological system
• Understand behavioural and institutional drivers of groundwater use
• Learn from real-world case studies across diverse contexts
• Identify appropriate technologies for groundwater mapping and forecasting

The series is expected to result in:

• Enhanced awareness of groundwater as a critical but invisible resource
• Improved conceptual and practical understanding of groundwater systems
• Greater appreciation of citizen-led and participatory approaches
• Increased capacity to use technology for groundwater decision-making
• Strengthened dialogue between science, society, and policy
• A foundation for future training, collaboration, and action on groundwater sustainability

Himanshu Kulkarni, Founder Trustees of Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM), India