25 August :A new scheme ‘Ground Water Management and Regulation’ will be implemented with an outlay of Rs. 460 crores. The existing schemes on ‘Ground Water Survey, Exploration and Investigation’, Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and ‘Studies of Recharge to Ground Water’ through Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) till Xth Plan have been integrated as one scheme “Ground Water Management and Regulation”.
The Ground Water Management and Regulation scheme will help in strengthening Ground Water Resource Management System, delineation of Ground Water Development worthy areas, and developing area specific artificial recharge and rain water harvesting techniques. The scheme will also help in development of web enabled ground water data, capacity building of scientists, planners and other stakeholders and strengthening of coordination and synergy amongst all other stakeholders.
The proposed activities under the scheme during 11th Plan include Ground Water Management Studies over 7.5 lakh square km. area; Exploration of new aquifer areas through drilling of 4000 wells; and Monitoring of ground water levels and quality from country-wide network of 15,500 observation wells. It also include carrying out of about 1500 water supply investigations for Defence, Urban and other organizations, carrying out of 75 demonstrative artificial recharge and rain water harvesting studies in different States; besides regulating Ground Water Development and Management in critical areas and the preparation of reports/maps on the availability of ground water by District/States.
CGWB has been given mandate to develop and disseminate technologies and monitor and implement National policies, for the scientific and sustainable development and management of Ground Water resources in the country. It also looks after the exploration, assessment, conservation, augmentation, and protection from pollution and distribution based on principles of economic and ecological efficiency and equity.
The objectives of this scheme include – Strategies for planned development and management of ground water including operationalisation of area specific techniques; Regulation and control of development and management of ground water; Conducting R&D studies including upgradation of technological capabilities and infrastructural base of the CGWB; Transfer of knowledge, education and awareness; and increasing coordination with Central/State Government Organizations for sustained management of ground water resources.
The expected outcome of this scheme include preparation of ground water development and management plans for State Governments; delineation of potential ground water aquifers and handing over of drilled ~ 2500 wells to State Governments for augmentation of water supply and generation of scientific data for policy planning. The outcome include development of Web Enabled Ground Water Information Services (WEGWIS), extension of technical support in ground water source finding for Central and State Agencies; and designing of Artificial Recharge and Rain water harvesting projects for replication by States. It also includes arresting the trend of ground water depletion through regulatory measures.
The Ground Water Management and Regulation Scheme will be implemented through CGWB, CGWA and other agencies identified by the Government from time to time.