Pre-monsoon groundwater level declines in 46% wells: Government

NEW DELHI: The pre-monsoon groundwater level has declined in 46 per cent of wells assessed by the government across the country, as compared to the five-year average, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sanwar Lal Jat said this in Rajya Sabha while responding to questions on ground water levels in plains and drying waterfalls in hilly regions.

"Assessment of groundwater-level monitoring data for plains by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), for pre-monsoon 2015, compared with last five years mean of pre-monsoon (2010-2014), indicates that out of total 14,346 wells analysed, around 46 per cent of the wells are showing decline in groundwater levels in various parts of the country," Jat said in the Upper House.

The minister said in states and Union Territories (UTs) like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Meghalaya, Puducherry, Punjab, Telangana and Uttarakhand, over 50 per cent of the monitored wells have shown decline in ground water levels.

On the measures being taken by the government to tackle the situation, Jat said the Ministry has circulated a Model Bill to all states and UTs to enable them to enact suitable legislation for its regulation and development, which includes provision of rainwater harvesting.

So far, 15 states/UTs have adopted and implemented the groundwater legislation on the lines of the Model Bill.

Jat stated the Central Ground Water Board has prepared a conceptual document, titled "Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India", during 2013, involving groundwater experts.

"The Master Plan envisages construction of 1.11 crore rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the country at an estimated cost of Rs 79,178 crore to harness 85 BCM (billion cubic metre) water. The Plan has been circulated to all state governments for implementation," he said.

He stated the augmented groundwater resources will enhance availability of water for drinking, domestic, industrial and irrigation purposes.

Jat added CGWA has issued directives to chief secretaries of all states and administrators of all UTs to take measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge to groundwater/rainwater harvesting.