What is the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB)?

About Central Groundwater Board (CGWB):

• CGWB is a multi-disciplinary scientific organization of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
• It is the National Apex Agency entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation, and regulation of groundwater resources of the country.
• Mandate: Develop and disseminate technologies and monitor and implement national policies for the scientific and sustainable development and management of India’s groundwater resources, including their exploration, assessment, conservation, augmentation, protection from pollution, and distribution, based on principles of economic and ecological efficiency and equity.
• Organization Setup:
  • The Board is headed by the Chairman and has five members.
  • CGWB is a multi-disciplinary scientific organization consisting of Hydrogeologists, Geophysicists, Chemists, Hydrologists, Hydrometeorologists, and Engineers. 
• Headquarters: Bhujal Bhawan, Faridabad, Haryana. 
• The major activities of the CGWB are: 
  • National Aquifer mapping and Management (NAQUIM) involving Preparation of Aquifer Maps and Management Plans.
  • Groundwater explorations to delineate groundwater worthy areas and potential aquifers.
  • Geophysical surveys to delineate groundwater bearing zones, etc.
  • Periodic assessment of the country’s groundwater resources.
  • Monitoring of groundwater levels and quality through groundwater observation wells.
  • Dissemination of Ground Water Data and knowledge.
  • Groundwater modelling.
  • GIS and Remote sensing.
  • Regulation and control of groundwater development and management by CGWA in coordination with State Government Organizations.
  • Coordination with State Government with a view to establish benchmark methodologies for groundwater studies.
  • R&D studies in ground water sector and application and operationalization of new technologies/techniques for groundwater investigation, development, and management.
  • Water conservation and artificial recharge to groundwater.
  • Capacity building and knowledge transfer.

Q1: What is an aquifer?

An aquifer is a body of porous rock or sediment saturated with groundwater. Groundwater enters an aquifer as precipitation seeps through the soil. It can move through the aquifer and resurface through springs and wells.

Source: TH

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