Published on 29/05/2012
Central Ground Water Authority has been constituted under Section 3 (3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control development and management of ground water resources in the country and to issue necessary regulatory directions for the purpose.
Regulatory measures:
The Central Ground Water Authority is regulating withdrawal of ground water by industries/ projects in 839 Over-exploited and 226 Critical Assessment Units. List of these critical areas has been circulated to the State Pollution Control Boards and Ministry of Environment & Forests which refer the new industries/ projects to CGWA for obtaining permission. List is also available on the website at www.cgwb.gov.in
CGWA has notified 43 critical/ overexploited areas in parts of NCT Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Diu for control and regulation of ground water resources. For enforcement of the regulatory measures in these areas, concerned Deputy Commissioners/ District Magistrates have been directed under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate ground water development.
Construction of new ground water structures is prohibited in the notified areas. Permission of drilling tube wells is being granted only to the Govt. agencies responsible for drinking water supply.