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.

1. In this direction, efforts of the Central Government for augmenting the ground water resources of the country, including Karnataka are mainly channeled through the flagship campaign of Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA). JSA is a time bound and mission mode programme being conducted annually since 2019 by the M/o Jal Shakti wherein all the efforts and funds under various schemes and projects are converged to deliver water harvesting and artificial recharge works on the ground.

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.

2. To further strengthen the momentum of Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB): A Community-Driven Path to Water Sustainability in India has been launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister with a vision to make rain water harvesting a mass movement in the country. By promoting community ownership and responsibility, the initiative seeks to develop cost-effective, local solutions tailored to specific water challenges across different regions.
3. M/o Jal Shakti has successfully demonstrated the efficacy of community led participatory ground water management through Atal Bhujal Yojana, which was implemented in 80 water stressed districts in 7 States. Construction of various rain water harvesting and recharge structures like check dams, ponds, shafts etc. as well as promotion of micro irrigation was taken up through convergence and by use of incentive funds under the scheme.
4. M/o Jal Shakti is promoting conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater and to reduce dependence on groundwater, surface water based Major and Medium irrigation projects have been taken up in the country under PMKSY-AIBP scheme in collaboration with States/UTs.
5. Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA & FW), GoI, is implementing Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme in the country, since 2015-16, which focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through micro irrigation and better on-farm water management practices to optimize the use of available ground water resources.
6. Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched by the Government of India which aimed at developing and rejuvenating at least 75 water bodies in each district of the country. As an outcome nearly 69,000 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed/rejuvenated in the country leading to enhanced water storage and ground water recharge.
7. CGWB has taken up National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM) with an aim to delineate aquifer disposition and their characterization. Entire mappable area of the country of around 25 lakh sq. km, has been mapped under the scheme and management plans have been shared with the respective State Governments for implementation. The plans comprise of recommendations for demand management as well as construction of artificial recharge structures.

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.

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ND

(Rajya Sabha US Q87)

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