Question

How does overgrazing lead to the drying up of boreholes?

Answer 1

Groundwater is usually mined through boreholes. It is still relatively untapped at present. Only 2,000 million \(\mathrm{m}^{3}\) out of a potential 5,500 million \(\mathrm{m}^{3}\) are currently being utilized. (this is \(36 \%\) )

It is important to understand where groundwater comes from. The main driver is rainfall which replenishes the aquifer in which the borehole was drilled. Some rainfall runs off, but the rest seeps into the soil and forms groundwater.

Due to overgrazing, the vegetation in the riverbeds degrades which contributes to an increased runoff and lower infiltration. This has a detrimental effect on the underground water - boreholes thus dry up.