NGT Seeks Urgent Action from Indian Authorities on Depleting Groundwater Reserves

NGT Seeks Urgent Action from Indian Authorities on Depleting Groundwater Reserves

The depleting groundwater levels in India have raised serious concerns for the National Green Tribunal (NGT), prompting the tribunal to seek a response from multiple authorities. These include the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and the water resources departments in 19 states and 2 Union Territories.

The Tribunal's intervention follows a report underscoring the precarious state of groundwater resources in the nation. According to the report, more than 70 per cent of India's water requirements are reliant on groundwater, and the extraction rate far surpasses the replenishment rate. This unsustainable pattern has resulted in a substantial decline in groundwater levels, contributing to severe water scarcity in numerous regions.

According to a United Nations report, some areas in India's Indo-Gangetic basin have already reached the groundwater depletion tipping point, and the entire northwestern region is expected to face critically low groundwater availability by 2025.

A recent report has revealed that India has surpassed the United States and China to become the world's largest consumer of groundwater. The report, which was conducted by the World Resources Institute, found that India withdraws an estimated 251 billion cubic meters of groundwater per year, accounting for a quarter of the global total.

The northwestern region of India, including the states of Punjab and Haryana, stands as the nation's breadbasket, playing a crucial role in nourishing its burgeoning population of 1.4 billion people. Together, Punjab and Haryana contribute a remarkable 50 per cent of India's rice supply and 85 per cent of its wheat stocks, ensuring that the country's food security remains firmly rooted in the fertile plains of this region.

Underscoring the severity of groundwater depletion in Punjab, a recent report revealed that a staggering 78 per cent of wells in the state are classified as overexploited. This alarming trend is further compounded by projections that the entire northwestern region of India, including Punjab, is on track to face critically low groundwater availability by the next few years.

Taking stock of a report, the NGT coram, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel, observed that "a serious issue relating to environment had been raised."

The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), in response, submitted a report to the Tribunal asserting that the government has implemented measures covering all the recommended actions outlined in the UN report. This comprehensive response highlights the government's commitment to addressing the groundwater crisis and ensuring the sustainable management of this vital resource.

Upon examining the CGWB Annual Report of 2022, the NGT noted a stark contrast between the report's findings and the CGWB's presentation before the Tribunal. The NGT observed that the CGWB's report revealed over-extraction of groundwater in several regions, particularly in Rajasthan and Gujarat, where arid climatic conditions limit groundwater recharge.

During its hearing, the NGT acknowledged the widespread prevalence of over-exploited groundwater units in the peninsular region. The NGT particularly noted the concerning situation in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana due to over-extraction of groundwater.

In addition to acknowledging the discrepancies between the CGWB's presentation and the organisation's annual report, the NGT highlighted the importance of refining groundwater norms. The NGT noted that the CGWB report recommends conducting more experimental studies to refine these norms, taking into account various factors such as irrigation practices, soil types, agro-climatic zones, and the impact of water conservation and water bodies on groundwater recharge.

The NGT has listed the matter for further hearing on February 9, 2024.