Survey on Ground Water

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR carries out ground water monitoring, four times a year, on a regional scale through a network of observation wells in the Country. Ground water monitoring data of CGWB for pre-monsoon 2014, compared with decadal mean of pre-monsoon(2004-2013), indicates that out of total wells analyzed, around 39% of the wells are showing a decline in ground water level in various parts of the Country. Survey on ground water resource assessment is undertaken every two years in association with concerned State Governments. The latest survey of 2011 indicates presence of 1071 Over-Exploited areas, 217 Critical areas and 697 Semi-Critical areas in the country. CGWB had also undertaken the Demonstrative Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge Projects under the scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation in priority areas, for enhancing ground water level. During XI Plan, 133 Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge Demonstration Projects were sanctioned for construction of 1661 structures.

Government has approved Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme under the scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation of CGWB for XII Plan period, wherein, ground water investigation, is one of the activities. This has been taken up in 40783 sq.km in 10 hilly States namely Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand.

The scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation is a Central Sector Scheme, wherein, State-wise allocations of funds is not provisioned.

This information was given by Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Prof. Sanwar Lal Jat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Samir/jk