Context
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recently presented its 41st report, titled ‘Ground Water Management and Regulation,’ in the Lok Sabha. The report highlights the alarming rate of groundwater depletion in India and the need for urgent regulatory intervention.
1. Key Findings: India’s Global Footprint
- Global Share: India accounts for approximately 25% of global groundwater withdrawals.
- PAC Flagship: The Public Accounts Committee has flagged this massive extraction rate as a critical concern for the country’s water security.
2. Institutional Framework & Monitoring Networks
- Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): The apex central organization under the Ministry of Jal Shakti responsible for monitoring groundwater levels and quality.
- The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was constituted under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Monitoring Infrastructure:National Network: Approximately 27,000 stations for water level and 20,000 for water quality.
- Digital Integration: Around 22,000 Digital Water Level Recorders (DWLRs) with Telemetry transmit real-time data to central servers under the National Hydrology Project (NHP) and Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY).
- Jal Shakti Kendras (JSKs): 712 district-level centers established as community hubs for knowledge dissemination and local dialogue on water issues.
3. Key Schemes and Initiatives
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): An annual mission-mode campaign for water harvesting and artificial recharge. Over 2 Crore works have been completed through convergence.
- Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB): Launched in 2024 to turn rainwater harvesting into a mass movement; over 49 lakh structures have been constructed.
- National Aquifer Mapping & Management (NAQUIM):
- Phase 1.0: Completed mapping of the entire mappable area (25 lakh sq. km).
- Phase 2.0: Focuses on high-resolution data for priority areas using state-of-the-art technologies.
- Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY): A unique, community-led participatory scheme implemented in 8,203 water-stressed Gram Panchayats across 7 states (Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and UP).
- Mission Amrit Sarovar: Aimed at developing/rejuvenating 75 water bodies per district.
4. Regulatory & Legal Framework
- Constitutional Status: ‘Water’ is a State subject.
- Model Groundwater Bill: Drafted by the Centre to provide a framework for states to curb indiscriminate extraction and mandate rainwater harvesting. 21 States/UTs have adopted it so far.
- Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA): Established for central-level regulation. It issues No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for industrial, infrastructure, and mining extraction in 19 States/UTs.
- Penalty Mechanism: Environmental Compensation (EC) charges and penalties are imposed for unlawful extraction.
With reference to groundwater management and regulation in India, consider the following statements:
1. India accounts for nearly one-fourth of the global groundwater withdrawals.
2. The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
3. The Atal Bhujal Yojana is a community-led participatory scheme implemented in selected water-stressed Gram Panchayats.
4. Water is listed as a subject in the Union List of the Constitution of India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: A
Explanation
• Statement 1 is Correct: India accounts for about 25% of global groundwater withdrawals, making it the largest user globally.
• Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is constituted under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, not under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• Statement 3 is Correct: The Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) is a community-led participatory scheme implemented in water-stressed Gram Panchayats across selected states.
• Statement 4 is Incorrect: Water is a State subject under the Constitution of India (State List), not in the Union List.
