Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment 2022 Report
Recently, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has released the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment, 2022 report.
The Central Ground Water Board and the States/UTs jointly carry out ground water resource assessment from time to time.
Key Points of Report-
Recharge: The total annual groundwater recharge has increased to 437.6 billion cubic meters (BCM). The contribution of rainfall in this is about 61%.
Exploitation: There has been a decline in the level of groundwater exploitation. This exploitation has come down to 60%. The percentage of its use in relation to groundwater recharge is called the level of groundwater exploitation. Of the total groundwater extracted, 87% is used for irrigation. Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have very high (100%) levels of groundwater exploitation.
Categories: 67% of groundwater assessment units are safe. A decline has been registered in the number of over-exploited assessment units. 14 assessment units are in the ‘overexploited’ category and 4% are in the ‘critical’ category. India is the largest user of ground water in the world. India exploits one fourth of the world’s groundwater.
Initiatives for Ground Water Management-
- Atal Bhujal Yojana: It aims to improve groundwater management through community participation.
- Master Plan 2020 for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water: Emphasizes on rain water harvesting and construction of artificial recharge structures.
- Aquifer mapping and management program has been initiated.
Source – The Hindu
