31 May 2012

Ground Water Level in Delhi

Ground water levels have declined mainly due to over-exploitation of ground water and reduced natural recharge to ground water due to urbanization. As per latest assessment of ground water resources carried out by Central Ground Water Board under the Ministry of Water Resources, jointly with the State Government of Delhi (as on 2009), out of 27 tehsils in 9 districts, 20 tehsils are over-exploited. List of over-exploited tehsils in NCT Delhi is given in Annexure I. 

‘Water’ being a State subject, action plan to improve the situation is to be formulated by the State Government. The Government of Delhi has undertaken the following actions to check depletion of ground water: 

• Entire NCT of Delhi has been notified for ground water regulation. No ground water extraction structure is permitted without prior permission of the concerned Deputy Commissioners. 

• Amended Building Bye Laws to make roof top rain water harvesting mandatory for all new buildings located in plot area above 200 sq. m. 

• Financial assistance is provided to beneficiaries for adopting rain water harvesting under Bhagidari scheme of Govt. Delhi. 

Besides, these following measures are being undertaken by the Central Ground Water Board to promote rain water harvesting. 

• Implementation of demonstrative projects on rain water harvesting and artificial recharge for replication by the State Government. 

• Implementation of IEC activities like mass awareness campaigns, training programmes, display of hoardings at prominent public places, release of booklets, participation in India International Trade Fair, painting competition among school children etc. 

• Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 to regulate and control development and management of ground water resources in the country. For enforcement of the regulatory directions issued under Section 5 of EPA, 1986, concerned Deputy Commissioners/ District Collectors have been authorized to take necessary action in case of violations of directives of CGWA in notified areas. 

• CGWA has directed large and medium Industries using ground water in the over exploited and critical areas in the country (except in the water logged areas) to take up water conservation measures including recharge of ground water/rain water harvesting and adopt practices of treatment, recycle and reuse of waste water in their premises. 

• Directions have been issued to Chief Secretaries/ Administrators of all the States/ Union Territories and Ministry of Urban Development to take necessary action to adopt rain water harvesting/ artificial recharge on all the Government buildings. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Water Resources & Minority Affairs Shri Vincent H. Pala in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha

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