The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), in response, submitted a report stating that the government has implemented measures encompassing all the recommended actions outlined in the UN University report to enhance the groundwater situation in the country.
However, the NGT noted that the CGWB’s Annual Report of 2022 portrayed a significantly different picture compared to the one presented before the Tribunal.
The NGT recorded that the CGWB’s report showed over-extraction in several areas, particularly in Rajasthan and Gujarat, where prevailing arid climatic conditions resulted in low groundwater recharge.
In the peninsular area, the NGT observed that over-exploited units are widespread in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Furthermore, the NGT noted that the CGWB report suggests conducting more experimental studies to refine norms, taking into consideration factors such as irrigation, soil types, agro-climatic zones, recharge from water conservation and from water bodies.
Source: Barandbench
