Wells and well-being in South India: Gender dimensions of groundwater dependence

Groundwater has played a pivotal role in transforming the rural agrarian landscape, augmenting rural livelihoods and improving household wellbeing. Through our research, we attempt to understand how the growing prevalence and importance of groundwater has impacted intra household relations, in particular the gendered divisions of labour, and use of assets. Further, we explore the impacts of failed borewells on gendered vulnerabilities, identities and wellbeing. Our research indicates that groundwater usage in semi-arid regions has increased the short-term resilience of communities in the region, but simultaneously increased gendered risks, especially for small-holders, by promoting unsustainable livelihood trends and risky coping strategies to groundwater shortages.