India, Dec. 1 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) monitors groundwater levels of its manual monitoring stations spread throughout the country four times every year.
The Government is committed to ensure sustainable management and development of ground water resources of the country by means of judicious regulation of extraction and robust conservation efforts. The data available with CGWB indicates that overall ground water situation in the country is showing steady improvement as a result of sustained efforts of the government and other stakeholders.
With regard to Bengaluru Urban, Chikkaballapura and Kolar districts of Karnataka, analysis of ground water level data from CGWB's monitoring stations in these districts shows that around 76.7% of monitored wells (33 out of 43 wells) have shown rise in ground water levels in November, 2024 (post monsoon 2024) as compared to the decadal post monsoon mean level of previous ten years (of November months, from 2014 to 2023).
The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti is involved in regulation of ground water extraction at the central level. That apart, 17 States/UTs are having their own regulatory mechanism/bodies. CGWA issues No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for ground water extraction for various purposes in accordance with its Guidelines dated 24.09.2020 which have pan India applicability. CGWA has been taking stringent measures, including imposition heavy penalties and Environmental Compensation (EC) charges for illegal extraction of ground water and even resorting to sealing of borewells in fitting cases. Further, under the Guidelines, District Collectors/Deputy Commissioners (DCs)/ District Magistrates (DMs) are also authorized to take enforcement measures for violation of its provisions.
Moreover, in order to facilitate the states in their endeavor towards proper regulation and management of ground water resources, this Ministry had drafted a Model 'Groundwater (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Bill' providing a regulatory framework to curb indiscriminate extraction of ground water while also making provisions for rain water harvesting and artificial recharge. The Model Bill has been circulated to all States/UTs and so far, 21 States/UTs have adopted it, including Karnataka. Additionally, this Ministry has been issuing regular advisories/DO letters to states to improve their regulatory mechanism and accelerate ground water conservation efforts.
Water being a state subject, sustainable development and management of groundwater resources is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments. However, the Central Government facilitates the efforts of the State Governments by way of technical and financial assistance through its various schemes and projects.
Currently, JSA 2025 is underway with special focus on over-exploited and critical areas. As per the available information, under JSA, completion of around 1.21 crore water conservation and artificial recharge works has been coordinated through convergence in the country in the last 4 years.
The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
