India, March 26 -- Every year, World Water Day that falls on March 22 serves as a stark reminder of the global water crisis, with 220 crore people still lacking access to safe water. While surface water availability often dominates discussions, an equally pressing issue lurks underground - the rapid depletion of groundwater reserves. In Haryana, where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy and urbanisation is accelerating, groundwater depletion poses a significant threat to long-term sustainability: Haryana is one of the most water-stressed states in India, with over 60% of its blocks classified as overexploited or critical by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). Recent estimates indicate that groundwater levels in parts of the s...