Page 19 - Haryana Water Resources Atlas 2025

Background

ater is fundamental to sustaining life on Earth. The micro-level time-series spatial data is
key to managing country's water resources. Monitoring water sources is important for
Wtheir sustainable development and oversight. Conventional methods are often time
consuming and prone to inaccuracies and biases. Remote sensing technology provides rapid and
detailed information about water resources, allowing for simultaneous monitoring of multiple
water bodies. Geographic information System (GIS) tools enable mangers to visualize data
effectively, facilitating planning under different circumstances and enhancing risk assessment
associated with water fluctuations and pollution.

India has the highest dependency on groundwater resources in the world, which is much higher
than that of China and USA. The Government of India has undertaken various measures to
replenish the depleting groundwater level in the country. Furthermore, new schemes of the
Government like Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Jal Jeevan Mission, and interventions like Mera Pani Meri
Virasat aim to manage water resources comprehensively, including from ground to surface, rural
to urban, and micro-watershed to major basin levels. Population
This atlas is a joint effort of Haryana Water Resources (Conservation, Regulation, and
Management) Authority (HWRA) and Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC). HWRA has As of the 2011 census of India, the Population of Haryana is 2,53,51,462, which is about
been established under the Haryana Water Resources (Conservation, Management, and 2.09 % of the total population of India and ranked 17th among all the states. The total
Regulation) Act, 2020. The Authority's mandate is to promote a sustainable water management male population of Haryana is 1.35 crore, and the total female population is 1.18 crore.
system for both present and future needs. It exercises jurisdiction over groundwater, surface water, Urban Population- The urban population in Haryana in 2011 was approximately
and treated wastewater in the state of Haryana, committing to the judicious, equitable, and 8,842,103, accounting for about 35% of the country's population. The district with the
efficient use of water. The success of HWRA in achieving its goals largely depends on the highest percentage of urban population is Faridabad, followed by Gurgaon and
availability of up-to- date datasets on water resources, their statistics, and scientific outputs, both Panchkula. The district with the lowest percentage of urban population is Mewat.
in hard and digital repositories. This atlas is the first of its kind in Haryana, providing a
Rural Population- The rural population in Haryana in 2011 was approximately
comprehensive database of the state's water resources and facilitating better planning for water
management. 16,509,359, constituting about 65% of the country's population. The district with the
highest percentage of rural population is Mewat, followed by Mahendragarh and
Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC) is an autonomous institution in the state of Fatehabad. The district with the lowest percentage of the rural population is Faridabad.
Haryana under Citizen Resources Information Department (CRID), Government of Haryana and
Growth Rate- The decadal growth rate of Haryana is 19.9% from 2001 to 2011. The
act as a Nodal Agency for Geospatial Technologies Applications. Established in 1986, HARSAC's
work is instrumental in leveraging space technologies to improve various aspects of governance, decadal growth rate of rural Haryana is 9.85%, and that of urban Haryana is 44.59%.
Decadal growth rate of males and females is 18.75% and 21.23% respectively.
resource management, and disaster preparedness in the state of Haryana, ultimately contributing
to its overall development.

HWRA and HARSAC worked together and gathered information from various central and state
agencies such as groundwater cell (GWC), Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Irrigation &
Water Resources Department (I&WRD), Indian Metrological Department (IMD), Department of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Public Health Engineering Department (PHED),
Horticulture Department, Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and other central /state agencies.

The Atlas gives a spatial view, delivering a fact-based overview of various water resources and
related fields in the form of array of maps, tables and graphs. A significant section includes theme-
based plates that concentrate on specific topics, such as the status of surface and subsurface water
regimes, evaluation of water resource potential and availability, details on water sector
infrastructure, water usage, anthropogenic impacts and associated risks, and allied themes like
agriculture. Developed through collaborative efforts between state and central organizations, this
atlas delivers a comprehensive understanding of water resources, which is instrumental in
formulating strategies for planning, management, conservation, and regulation. It plays a critical
role in supporting a sustainable future.

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