The minister said that to assist states in regulating groundwater resources, the ministry of Jal Shakti drafted a Model ‘Groundwater (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Bill.’ This bill provides a regulatory framework to curb indiscriminate groundwater extraction while promoting rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge.
The Government of India has been proactively addressing the pressing issue of declining groundwater levels through a series of comprehensive initiatives aimed at sustainable development and management of groundwater resources, the minister of state for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Monday.
The minister said that recognising that water is a state subject, these efforts are designed to support and enhance the capabilities of state governments in water conservation and management.
Choudhary said that to assist states in regulating groundwater resources, the ministry of Jal Shakti drafted a Model ‘Groundwater (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Bill.’ This bill provides a regulatory framework to curb indiscriminate groundwater extraction while promoting rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge. It has been circulated to all states and union territories, with 21 adopting it thus far. The CGWA continues to support States in drafting their own groundwater regulation guidelines.
He said that the government’s multi-faceted approach to combating declining groundwater levels encompasses technical interventions, regulatory frameworks, and community engagement. By supporting state governments and promoting sustainable practices, these initiatives aim to ensure the long-term availability and quality of groundwater resources across the country.
He outlined the initiatives his ministry had undertaken to combat the declining groundwater levels in India as follows:
Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): A Nationwide Water Conservation Campaign
Launched in 2019, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) is a mission-mode, time-bound programme focused on harvesting rainfall and implementing water conservation activities across the country. The current phase, JSA 2024, places special emphasis on 151 water-stressed districts. Under this umbrella campaign, various groundwater recharge and conservation projects are undertaken in convergence with central and state schemes. Over the past four years, more than 1.07 crore water conservation structures have been constructed nationwide.
National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM): Understanding Groundwater Reserves
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has successfully completed the National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) Project, covering approximately 25 lakh square kilometers of mappable area across the country. District-wise aquifer maps and management plans have been prepared and shared with respective state and district authorities to facilitate informed decision-making and implementation of suitable interventions.
Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater-2020
In a bid to enhance groundwater recharge, the CGWB has developed the ‘Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater-2020’. This plan outlines the construction of around 1.42 crore rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge structures across the country, with an estimated potential to harness about 185 billion cubic meters (BCM) of water. The plan has been disseminated to states and union territories to guide the implementation of these structures.
Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): Promoting Efficient Water Use in Agriculture
Since 2015-16, the department of agriculture and farmers’ welfare has been implementing the ‘Per Drop More Crop’ (PDMC) scheme. This initiative focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at the farm level through micro-irrigation and better on-farm water management practices. As of December 2024, an area of 94.36 lakh hectares has been covered under micro-irrigation through the PDMC scheme, optimizing the use of available water resources in agriculture.
Mission Amrit Sarovar: Rejuvenating Water Bodies
The government of India launched the Mission Amrit Sarovar with the aim of developing and rejuvenating at least 75 water bodies in each district of the country. This initiative has led to the construction or rejuvenation of nearly 69,000 Amrit Sarovars nationwide, contributing significantly to groundwater recharge and local water availability.
MGNREGS and PMKSY-WDC
The minister said that the government has also emphasised the construction of water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures through schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Watershed Development Component (PMKSY-WDC). These programmes facilitate large-scale community participation in water conservation efforts, ensuring sustainable groundwater management.
Regulatory Framework: Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)
Established under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) regulates and controls groundwater development and management in the country. It issues No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for groundwater abstraction as per the guidelines dated 24.09.2020, which have pan-India applicability. Additionally, 17 States and Union Territories have established their own regulatory mechanisms for groundwater abstraction and usage within their jurisdictions.
Compliance Enforcement: Environmental Compensation Charges
As per CGWA’s guidelines dated 24.09.2020, environmental compensation (EC) charges are levied for groundwater extraction without a valid NOC (for non-exempted cases). Penalties are also imposed for non-compliance with guideline conditions, such as non-maintenance or non-production of extraction data and submission of false information.
Community Participation: A Cornerstone of Groundwater Conservation
The central government places significant emphasis on large-scale community participation in groundwater conservation. By involving local communities in the construction of water conservation structures and promoting awareness about sustainable water use, these initiatives aim to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among citizens.
