Explain the factors responsible for the depletion of water table.
Answer:
** The factors responsible for the depletion of water table are as follows:**
1. Increasing population: As a result of increasing population, all the facilities such as houses, shops, roads, offices, pavements, etc. increase to fulfil the increasing demands. This, in turn, decreases the open area for seepage of water into the ground.
2. Increasing industries: 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 the depletion of water table.
3. Agricultural activities: Agriculture is impossible without water. The water for agriculture is mainly utilised from groundwater, rain water and canal water. As there is no rainfall in many places, agriculture cannot be entirely depended on rain water. 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.