Context:
Ministry of Jal Shakti released the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for the entire country for the year 2023.
About the report:
- Carried out jointly by – Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and States/UTs.
- Key highlights –
- Annual Groundwater recharge for the entire country is 449.08 billion cubic meters (BCM), 11.48 BCM more than in 2022.
- The increase may mainly be attributed to an increase in recharge from canal seepage, return flow of irrigation water, and water bodies/tanks & water conservation structures.
- Rainfall contributes to nearly 60% of the total annual Groundwater recharge.
- Annual groundwater extraction is 241.34 BCM.
- Reasons for extraction –
- Unregulated extraction: Groundwater is regarded as a “common pool resource”.
- Excessive Irrigation: Triggered by the Green Revolution since the 1970s.
- Climate change: Disturbances in the hydrological cycle causing long spells of floods and droughts.
- Poor knowledge of groundwater management systems.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB):
- An apex organization dealing with groundwater and related issues, formed in 1970.
- Ministry – Ministry of Jal Shakti
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or “critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (b)
