The groundwater monitoring data of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) for pre-monsoon 2014, compared with decadal mean of pre-monsoon (2004-2013), indicates that 71 per cent wells in Jharkhand show rise in groundwater level, said Union Minister of State for water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation Professor Sanwar lal Jat on Monday. He was answering a question raised by Member of Parliament Patrimal Nathwani.
Out of total 169 wells analysed by CGWB in Jharkhand total 49 wells located in Garwah, Palamu, Chatra, Dumka, Dhanbad and Ranchi witnessed decline in groundwater level, he added.
Nathwani had asked the details of areas in Jharkhand and other States where the depletion of groundwater 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 per cent, i.e. 7980 wells showed improvement in water level, while 39 per cent, i.e. 5132, wells indicated depletion of ground water and water level remained unchanged in 97 wells that constitute only 1 per cent of the total wells analysed. The highest 74 per cent wells indicated depleted groundwater 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 per cent showed rise which is closed to national average of 60 per cent.
The minister also informed that the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has also 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 groundwater / 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.