The ground water monitoring data of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) for pre-monsoon 2014, compared with decadal mean of pre-monsoon (2004-2013), indicates that ground water level had gone up in 71% wells in Jharkhand.
In fact,out of total 169 wells analysed by CGWB in Jharkhand total 49 wells located in Garwah, Palamu, Chatra, Dumka, Dhanbad and Ranchi district witnessed decline in ground water level.Union Minister of State for Water Resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation Sanwar Lal Jat informed Rajya Sabha today replying a question raised by Member of Parliament Patrimal Nathwani.
Nathwani had sought to know the details of areas in Jharkhand and other States where the depletion of ground water has reached at an alarming level and measures taken by the government for water recharging and conservation along with plans to improve water-tables in these areas.
The Minister said that CGWB analysed total 13,209 wells in pre-monsoon 2014, of which 60%, i.e. 7980 wells showed improvement in water level, while 39%, i.e. 5132, wells indicated depletion of ground water and water level remained unchanged in 97 wells that constitute only 1% of the total wells analysed.
The highest 74% wells indicated depleted ground water condition in Tamil Nadu, followed by Daman and Diu and Tripura, said the minister.
The comparison of decadal water level fluctuation with mean pre-monsoon (2004-2013) and pre-monsoon 2014 data revealed that out of 751 wells analysed in the state of Gujarat, 59% showed rise which is closed to national average of 60%.
The Minister also informed that the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has issued directives to the Chief Secretaries of all the States and administrators of all Union Territories to take measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge to ground water / rain water harvesting.
He also said, 15 States/UTs have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation on the lines of the Model Bill circulated by the Centre. Different states/UTs have made rain water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulations or by including provision in building bye-laws or through suitable government orders, he informed.
According to the statement tabled in the house, 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 Rs79,178 crore to harness 85 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) of water, said the minister. He added that the Master Plan has been circulated to all state governments for implementation.
