(Feature Image: A water conservation message painted on a wall in Dehradun. BS Rawat/SANDRP, May 2024)
The fourth part of annual overview covers the top ten actions taken by central and various state governments regarding conservation and recharge of groundwater India in 2024. The 1st part of the yearend round documents important studies and the 2nd part and 3rd part highlights reports on the proverbial toxic-berg, rising contamination and depletion of groundwater quality in India. The fifth part covers top ten judicial interventions dealing with groundwater issues during 2024.
1. 1 million sites to harvest rainwater by next monsoon Centre has decided to construct one million rainwater harvesting structures, including check dams, percolation tanks and recharge wells, under a new initiative to enhance groundwater replenishment before the onset of next monsoon. The new initiative – Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) – will strengthen the existing ‘Catch the Rain – Where it Falls When it Falls’ campaign, launched in 1,592 blocks in 256 water stressed districts of the country in 2019.
“It is a community-led initiative which aims to enhance water recharge through rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, borewell recharge and recharge shafts with resource support from govt and non-govt resources like CSR funds, industrial houses, civic bodies and water sector enthusiasts who are collectively working towards ensuring a water secure future,” said a Jal Shakti ministry official. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/centre-eyes-1-million-sites-to-harvest-rainwater-by-next-monsoon/articleshow/114178290.cms (13 Oct. 2024)
RWH initiative launched As part of the nationwide water conservation campaign – JSJB, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) will implement rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS) to facilitate groundwater recharge in all its premises across states. The premises include offices, institutions and residential colonies under MoHUA. The ministry recently directed the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to promote groundwater recharge activities. In response, the CPWD has issued instructions to implement rainwater collection and storage systems in its buildings, using ‘affordable and low cost’ method mobilising internal resources or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
The dept has also asked its officials concerned to ensure all existing RWHS are mapped, made functional and maintained well. For seamless tracking and monitoring, the officials have further been asked to upload the details of action taken on the portal created for the purpose by the JS ministry. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Oct/26/mohua-launches-rainwater-harvesting-initiative-to-boost-groundwater-recharge-nationwide (27 Oct. 2024)
2. Punjab Moving away from PUSA-44 helped save Rs 477 cr: CM Chief Minister Mann said in 2023, he had requested the farming community not to sow PUSA-44, which takes 150+ days to mature. After his request, the area under PUSA-44 decreased by 50 %, saving electricity worth Rs 477 cr & 5 BCM GW. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/moving-away-from-pusa-44-helped-punjab-save-rs-477crore-cm-614982 (27 April 2024)
3. Tamil Nadu Project Nanneer improves groundwater quality, storage Farmers in Kadiyapatti village (Arimalam block) in Pudukottai district are harvesting two crops a year for the last two years and have water for a third crop too. Before 2021, they harvested just one crop. Two water bodies, spread across 85 acres and 33 acres, were rejuvenated under project Nanneer, leading to improvement in quality & quantity of groundwater, says Uma Maheshwari Somasundaram, the panchayat president.
So far, 18 water bodies have been revived in Erode, Sivaganga, Cuddalore & Pudukottai dists and works are on for 10 more. Most of the water bodies are irrigation tanks and are spread over 14 to 80 acres each. Apart from desilting the kanmais and strengthening the bunds, bio-fencing is taken up by planting palm seedlings. The local youth & farmers are involved in maintaining these water bodies. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/project-nanneer-improves-groundwater-quality-and-water-storage-in-traditional-water-bodies-in-tamil-nadu/article68678846.ece (25 Sep 2024)
4. Union Govt Key GOI steps related to Groundwater As per the Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for the year 2023, the total annual extractable groundwater resource for the country has been assessed as 407.21 billion cubic meter (bcm) and the total annual groundwater extraction is 241.34 bcm.
The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under MoJS for the regulation and control of ground water abstraction. Abstraction cum use of Groundwater in the country is regulated by CGWA by way of issuing NOCs as per the provisions of its Guidelines dated 24.09.2020. As per the Guidelines, infrastructure projects drawing groundwater 20KLD or more are required to install STP and use the treated water for greenbelt development/ washing of cars etc. Further, industries abstracting ground water in excess of 100 KLD are required to undertake biennial water audit, which should recommend reduction in water consumption through recycle/ reuse. [Groundwater is essentially a local resource and can only be regulated by local communities, and not a centralised body like CGWA. The CGWA was not set up due to some initiative of the central govt. CGWA was constituted in January 1997 under sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 as per direction of Supreme Court on Dec 10, 1996.]
Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) has launched Atal Bhujal Yojana in 8213 water stressed Gram Panchayats of 7 states. Under this scheme, states are incentivized for adopting water efficient agricultural practices like switching over to drips/sprinklers, crop diversification to less water intensive crops, mulching etc. [There is a huge scope for adopting System of Rice Intensification under this to achieve less water use and increased yields, but the Central Govt shows no real priority for this.] https://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/document/steps-taken-by-the-central-government-to-control-waterdepletion-and-promote-rain-water-harvesting-conservation/
This was informed by Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti in Rajya Sabha on July 29 2024. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2038422 (29 July 2024)
5. GW recharge declined marginally in 2024? The Central Ground Water Board’s annual assessment report, released recently by the MoJS claims that total annual groundwater recharge in the country only marginally declined in 2024, compared to 2023, and so did water availability due to higher groundwater extraction last year, with NW India, including parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi & W Uttar Pradesh, being the bigger culprits.
The CGWB report also shows that the percentage of ‘critical’ and ‘over-exploited’ assessment units (block/taluk/tehsil/mandal), put together, increased in 2024, compared to 2023, reflecting a major concern of inadequate recharge of groundwater in certain states.
The annual groundwater recharge in 2024 was 446.9 BCM, compared to 449.08 BCM in 2023. The annual extractable groundwater have decreased from 407.21 in 2023 to 406.19 BCM in 2024. In 2022, the total annual groundwater recharge was 437.6 BCM, whereas extractable groundwater was 398.08 BCM. [These figures are a bit counter intuitive considering the situation of GW recharge and Use.] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/groundwater-recharge-declined-marginally-in-2024-dip-in-water-availability-too/articleshow/117182060.cms (13 Jan. 2025)
The CGWB report, ‘Dynamic Groundwater Resource Assessment Report’ for 2024, shows that total annual groundwater recharge has increased (15 BCM) substantially, and extraction has declined (3 BCM) in 2024 from the 2017 assessment. The annual groundwater extraction for all uses is 245.64 BCM. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jan/01/81-of-groundwater-safe-for-irrigation (1 Jan 2025) The assessment attributes the increase in groundwater recharge primarily to enhanced contributions from water bodies, tanks, and conservation structures. Improvement in groundwater conditions was observed in 128 assessment units compared to 2023 data. The overall percentage of over-exploited, critical, and semi-critical units has decreased. https://www.thestatesman.com/india/groundwater-recharge-increases-extraction-declines-2024-report-highlights-positive-trends-1503381524.html (31 Dec. 2024) https://affairscloud.com/mojs-released-dynamic-ground-water-resource-assessment-report-of-the-country-for-the-year-2024/ (03 Jan. 2025)
6. MoJS “Bhu-Neer” Portal launched for GW withdrawal permits The MoJS Minister C.R. Paatil digitally launched the newly developed “Bhu-Neer” portal on Sept. 19 during the concluding ceremony of India Water Week 2024. The “Bhu-Neer” is an advanced portal developed by CGWA, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre, for improved groundwater regulation. This portal will serve as a one-stop platform for managing and regulating groundwater. “Bhu-Neer” is designed to provide comprehensive details regarding the legal framework governing groundwater extraction, regulations at the state and national levels. Its centralized database will allow users to access critical information on groundwater compliance, policies & sustainable practices. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2074919 (20 Nov 2024)
7. Goa Up to Rs 10 lakh fine for contaminating groundwater Goa govt’s amendment to the ‘Goa Ground Water Regulation Act’, issued on Sep 11, introduces stricter penalties for those found guilty of polluting GW through the injection of treated or untreated water into aquifers.
Under the revised legislation, offenders will now face a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Furthermore, if any well is found to have been sunk in violation of the act, it shall be “filled and permanently sealed”, with the costs incurred during this process being recovered from the responsible person or user. The offender can also be punished if they obstruct the ‘ground water officer’ or any other person authorised by him to exercise the powers under the act. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/up-to-rs-10-lakh-fine-for-contaminating-ground-water/articleshow/113269382.cms (11 Sept. 2024)
8. Rajasthan Seeking central nod for GW use to be mandatory for industry The state govt plans to make it mandatory for the district administrations to obtain a no-objection certificate from CGWA to extract groundwater for industrial and commercial use. The move is set to come into force by the month end. “This notification will empower district collectors to implement the provision and act against errant consumers,” a GWD official said. Under the notification, all new and existing industries, industries seeking expansion, all types of infrastructure projects, mining projects, and urban water supply schemes must obtain this NOC. Domestic consumers, residential complexes and housing societies, Rural water supply schemes, agricultural activities, and armed forces’ establishments have been exempted. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/rajasthan-seeking-central-nod-for-groundwater-use-to-be-mandatory-for-industry/articleshow/111822975.cms (18 Jul 2024)
Bill on GW management sent for reconsideration by panel The development is seen as a setback to the govt’s efforts to establish a Groundwater Management Authority. The Bill was supposed to be passed in the assembly on Aug 1, but during the debate, the govt unexpectedly decided to send it to the committee. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/bill-on-groundwater-management-referred-for-reconsideration-by-panel/articleshow/112208537.cms (2 Aug 2024)
9. Karnataka Govt mulls policy to boost GW recharge Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science & Technology N S Boseraju on Jun 19 said the state govt is contemplating formulating a new policy on groundwater recharge. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/karnataka-government-mulls-policy-to-boost-groundwater-recharge-3072558 (19 June 2024)
10. Telangana GO 15 imposed in Nizamabad to regulate groundwater The State GW Dept has decided to implement GO 15 concerning ground water extraction rules in the district. The state govt already has WALTA 2004 ACT to regulate groundwater. Additionally, the Union govt’s MoJS introduced another ACT in 2023. Following which, the GW Dept decided to implement this act. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2024/Mar/25/go-15-imposed-in-nizamabad-to-regulate-groundwater-usage (15 March 2024)
Some More Relevant Reports
GW quality report for 2024 https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2089040 (31 Dec. 2024) for details, see: https://sandrp.in/2025/01/30/groundwater-2024-increasing-contamination-tip-of-a-toxic-berg/
Kerala Govt. asked to check faecal contamination of groundwater The MoJS has asked the Kerala government to submit a report on groundwater pollution based on its inference that around 80-90% of groundwater has increased concentration of faecal coliform. The direction was issued by the DG of the NMCG under the Ministry based on an observation made by the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs that sewage generated from densely populated areas is being directed underground.
The Ministry has asked the authorities to look into this problem and take appropriate action. The Ministry has suggested that the government explore adopting the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) to fast-track the setting up of STPs, which has been hit by paucity of funds. The Ministry has also proposed considering the feasibility of decentralised STPs which are easy to implement and have minimal capital and maintenance cost. The suggestions were made when the state govt pointed out that they have submitted proposals for funding under the NRCP. The Central authorities suggested exploring other financial sources due to the limited funds under the NRCP.
In this PPP investment mode, govt pays 40% of the capital cost of the project in equal instalments during the construction period. The remaining 60% is paid as an annuity amount over the operation and maintenance period of 15 years. The developer will also receive O&M payments bi-annually along with annuity payments. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/jal-shakti-ministry-asks-kerala-government-to-take-steps-to-check-faecal-contamination-of-groundwater/article67788730.ece (29 Jan 2024)
Haryana 1,920 villages under groundwater project A national initiative to address declining groundwater levels covers 1920 Haryana villages across 14 dists, with Yamuna Nagar district topping the list at 327 of those affected places. The MoJS on Dec 3 told the Rajya Sabha about efforts under the Atal Bhujal Yojana to reverse depletion trends. Haryana’s almost two-third of the districts are included, underscoring the gravity of the crisis. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/1920-villages-in-haryana-to-benefit-from-groundwater-restoration-initiative/articleshow/115950546.cms (4 Dec 2024)
Set target to recharge groundwater in 500 villages: CM The CM said the work of recharging groundwater should be carried out & build as many ponds as possible in the dark zone so that rain water can be stored. While chairing a review meeting of the Haryana Pond and waste water management authority, Saini also directed to explore the possibilities of using the Hansi-Butana link canal for water storage. The CM was informed that 19,716 sarovars have been built under the pond authority, out of which 18,813 are in villages, rest in cities.
The CM said the Amrit Sarita Yojana was envisaged in the ‘sankalp patra’ and that under this assurance the embankments of all the canals and rivers of the state must be strengthened. He said this work can be done under the MGNREGA scheme. He instructed officials to form a task force to stop theft of water from canals. He asked that arrangements be made for water drainage through solar pumps to fix waterlogging in Charkhi Dadri, Jhajjar, Mahendragarh, Sonipat, Rohtak & other areas. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/set-target-to-recharge-groundwater-in-500-villages-haryana-cm-101737136257493.html (18 Jan 2025)
Rajasthan Groundwater Atal plan VN Bhave, Nodal officer for Atal Bhujal Yojana in Rajasthan, said that the department is sure about arresting the decline of groundwater in eight blocks of six districts. “A committee has been formed to carry out a post-monsoon impact study of the schemes we implemented in the last five years. We are sure we checked the decline in eight blocks, and the study will reveal the status of the remaining 30 blocks where the yojana was implemented. We are expecting a significant change in the level of groundwater in these 17 districts in 2025 and in the next few years.”
On Dec 19, 2019, the Atal Bhujal Yojana was introduced in 1,132 gram panchayats of 38 blocks of 17 dists (out of the old 31 dists). Through this project, the groundwater dept officials & engineers tried to shift the demand for agriculture and irrigation to alternatives to GW. At the same time, new technologies were adopted to increase the level of groundwater. The committee will now review the level of groundwater in the 17 dists through Telemetric Digital Water Level Recorder technology. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/rajasthan-groundwater-level-set-to-rise-by-2025-thanks-to-atal-bhujal-yojana/articleshow/115368203.cms (16 Nov 2024)
Gujarat Industrialists to set up 80K RWH structures At the function called ‘Karmabhumi thi Janmabumi’ held at Indoor Stadium in Surat, CM Patel said, “Industrialists who have made Surat their karmabhumi have resolved to contribute to set up 80,000 rainwater harvesting structures in Gujarat. And there is a target of setting up 2 lakh structures. I congratulate them.” https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-bhupendra-patel-rainwater-harvesting-9618841/ (14 Oct. 2024)
Compiled by Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)
SANDRP 