Measures taken to control Ground Water Depletion
http://wrmin.nic.in/writereaddata/GW_Depletion.pdf
Measures taken to control Ground Water Depletion
• Circulation of a Model Bill, by this Ministry, to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact
suitable ground water legislation for its regulation and development which includes
provision of rain water harvesting. So far, 15 States/UTs have adopted and implemented
the ground water legislation on the lines of Model bill.
• Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has prepared a conceptual document entitled
“Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” during 2013, involving
ground water scientists/experts. The Master Plan envisages construction of 1.11 crore
rain water harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the Country at an estimated cost
of Rs.79,178 crores to harness 85 BCM (Billion Cubic Metre) of water. The augmented
ground water resources will enhance the availability of water for drinking, domestic,
industrial and irrigation purpose. The Master Plan has been circulated to all State
Governments for implementation.
• The Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has suggested all States to adopt water
conservation measures like roof top rainwater harvesting, erecting sustainability
structures for water conservation etc. For creating such sustainability structures, 10 % of
National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) funds are provided to the States.
• Department of Land Resources is currently implementing 8214 watershed development
projects in 28 States covering an area of about 39.07 million ha. under the Watershed
Development Component (WDC) of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
(PMKSY) principally for development of rainfed portions of net cultivated area and
culturable wastelands. The major activities taken up under the WDC-PMKSY, inter-alia,
include ridge area treatment, drainage line afforestation, soil and moisture conservation,
rain water harvesting, horticulture, and pasture development etc.
• The Ministry of Rural Development in consultation and agreement with the Ministry of
Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and the Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has issued ‘Mission Water Conservation Guidelines’ to
be implemented by all the States for scientific planning and execution of water
management works with the use of latest technology. The thrust is on Planning and
Monitoring Framework for Natural Resource Management (NRM) related works under
MGNREGA in convergence with Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY),
Integrated Watershed Programme (IWMP) and Command Area and Water Management
(CAD&WM) schemes. This will lead to better outcomes of water conservation and water
harvesting measures.
• Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under “The Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986” for the purpose of regulation and control of ground water
development and management in the Country. So far, CGWA has notified 162 areas in
the Country for the purpose of regulation of ground water.
• CGWA has issued advisories to States and UTs to take measures to promote/adopt
artificial recharge to ground water / rain water harvesting. 30 States/UTs have made rain
water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulations or by
including provisions in Building bye-laws or through suitable Government Orders.
• CGWB has taken up Aquifer Mapping and Management programme during XII Plan,
under the scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation. The Aquifer Mapping
is aimed to delineate aquifer disposition and their characterization for preparation of
aquifer/area specific ground water management plans, with community participation.
• MoWR, RD & GR has also launched ‘Jal Kranti Abhiyan’ (2015-16 to 2017-18) in order
to consolidate water conservation and management in the Country through a holistic and
integrated approach involving all stakeholders, making it a mass movement.
• CGWB has been organizing mass awareness programmes in the Country to promote rain
water harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water; about 13 lakh children
participated in a nation-wide painting competition in the last year to promote
conservation of water.