UPSC Mains_Need for better Ground Water Policy

Introduction :

Background :

1. Water is state subject

2. Till date the Ground Water usage comes under Section 7(g)Easement Act states that every states that every owner of land has the right to collect and dispose within his own limits all water under the land and on its surface which does not pass in a defined channel. The legal consequence of this law is that the owner of the land can dig wells in his land and extract water based on availability and his discretion. Additionally, landowners are not legally liable for any damage caused to the water resources as a result of over extraction.

Effect of this outdated policy : Overuse of ground water for Irrigation and Industrial Purposes. Contamination of ground water by Pollutants like Arsenic, Fluride, Nitrates, Fe,

Statistics for Ground Water exploitation :

In India Central Ground Water board coming under Ministry of Water resources is the agency.  http://www.cgwb.gov.in/index.html

1. Decreasing Water Levels :

Stage of Ground Water Developement in 2011 (%) for some states like Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab is more than 100%. Which means the use of ground water is more than the recharge.

Stage of Ground Water DEvelopment = Annual ground water Draft / Net ground water availability in Percentage

2. Ground Water contamination : There are many districts which are affected by Arsenic, Fluride, Fe and Nitrate contamintaion
Existing Frame work :

Central Gov has given a " Natioanl Framework Bill for States in 2013. 11 states have made legislations based on it.

Recent recommedations of Standing Committee in Dec, 2015

Recommendations of the Standing Committee on Water Resources The Standing Committee reviewed the ground water scenario and submitted its report in December 2015. The major recommendations of the Committee are summarised below:

1.  Database on natural and artificial recharge of water: Assessment of ground water resources in the country was last done in 2011. Assessment of ground water resources should be undertaken on a regular basis, preferably after every two years. Also, a single agency should be formed to maintain a database on (i) the amount of ground water being utilised by various stakeholders, and (ii) natural and artificial recharge to ground water. This will help augment the efforts towards conservation, development and management of the resource and in tackling issues such as its over-exploitation, depletion and pollution.

2.  Study of Dark Blocks: A study to assess land-use and proportion of agricultural land falling under dark blocks (over-exploited assessment units) should be initiated. This will help determine suitable cropping pattern in areas that are water stressed. Additionally, an impact study to determine losses caused to agriculture, economy, health and environment due to dark blocks should be carried out.

3. Ground water withdrawal for agriculture: In the states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, ground water levels are fast depleting due to excessive exploitation for agriculture use. To improve the situation, measured suggested include, (i) on-farm water management techniques and adoption of improved irrigation methods, (ii) implementation of ‘Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water’, and (iii) revamping agricultural power pricing structure, as flat rate of electricity adversely affects the use of ground water. A well-defined policy on ground water extraction should also be framed to ensure long-term sustainability.

4.  Water under concurrent list of the Constitution: Bringing the subject of water under the concurrent listwill help evolve a comprehensive plan of action. Consensus between the centre and states will result in better conservation, development and management of water, including ground water.

5. Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water: The document ‘Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water’ was prepared by the Central Ground Water Board in 2013 and circulated to all states. It incorporated: (i) identification of suitable areas for artificial recharge, (ii) estimation of subsurface storage space availability, and (iii) quantification of local surplus annual run-off availability as source water for artificial recharge. No review regarding the implementation of the Plan has been done so far. A comprehensive review of the follow-up action taken by states/ union territories should be undertaken. A time-bound roadmap to achieve the objectives of the plan should be put in place.

6. Synergy between MGNREGS and ground water management: Steps should be initiated to achieve optimised returns on works related to ground water conservation taken under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Coordination between the Ministries of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Rural Development through a special body will be helpful in this regard.

7. Census of water bodies and installation of water meets on tube wells: An inventory of water bodies (including ponds) in the country should be undertaken and completed in a definite time-frame. Special programs for the upkeep, maintenance and restoration of water bodies should be implemented with sufficient budgetary allocation. To regulate over-use of ground water for irrigation and drinking purposes, installation of water meters in all tube-wells should be made mandatory on the principle of ‘Beneficiary Pays’. This will also result in a reduction in subsidies for farmers.

8 Contamination of ground water by industries: Ministry of Water Resources in coordination with Central Pollution Control Board should devise an effective mechanism to identify critically polluted areas located in dark blocks. Steps to minimize and control the dumping of industrial waste into surface water and underground aquifers should also be taken.

9 Enforcement of NOCs by Central Ground Water Authority: A system of regular inspections should be instituted in respect of industries to whom No Objection Certificate (NOC) has been issued by Central Ground Water Authority. This will ensure compliance of conditions mentioned in the NOC. All State Pollution Control Boards should set up an appropriate and effective monitoring mechanism to verify the requirement with the actual withdrawal.