CGWA takes measures to check over exploitation of ground water

New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), constituted in 1986 to regulate development and management of ground water resources in the country, has undertaken several measures to check over exploitation of ground water by new industries and projects.

According to an official release issued here today, specific areas, where there would be no adverse effect on the ground water regime, will be given permission to extract water.

CGWA has notified 43 water over-exploited areas in the country.

In these notified areas, installation of new ground water abstraction structures would not be permitted without prior specific approval of the authority.

For enforcement of the regulatory directions issued under section 5 of EPA, 1986, concerned Deputy Commissioners/District Magistrates have been authorised to take necessary action in case of violation of directives of the CGWA in the notified areas.

For more effective regulation of the ground water development and management, Advisory Committees, under the chairmanship of District Collector/Deputy Commissioners with members drawn from various organisations, have been constituted.

Such committees will advise the District Collectors/Deputy Commissioners in matters pertaining to regulation of ground water development and management.

The CGWA has also set up Advisory Committees in the notified areas of Diu, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Jothwara, Jhunjhunu, Mundwa, Chirawa, Buhana and Pushkar Valley.

It has also notified 65 water over-exploited areas in various states for registration of ground water abstraction structures, which showed a very steep decline in the ground water levels and required action for regulation.

The CGWA has issued directions to all the Chief Secretaries of the states concerned to take all necessary measures to promote artificial recharge of ground water.

Directions have been issued to group housing societies, hotels, institutes, industries and farm houses in the notified areas of Delhi, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and other areas of the NCT, where ground water is eight meters from ground surface, to adopt roof top rain water harvesting system.

The last date for adoption of rain water harvesting has been extended upto 30th June, 2007.

UNI