Government notifies 162 areas with declining groundwater levels

NEW DELHI: The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has notified 162 areas across the country where groundwater withdrawal is more than annual replenishment, leading to decline in groundwater levels.

Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat told the Lok Sabha that Punjab tops the list with 44 notified areas, followed by Rajasthan with 34.

Permission to abstract groundwater through energised means is not accorded for any purpose other than drinking water in the 162 notified areas, he said.

"These notified areas fall under 'Over-exploited' and 'Critical' categories where groundwater withdrawal is more than annual replenishment and areas are experiencing decline in groundwater levels," he said.