Groundwater Extraction

About Groundwater Extraction:

• The assessment was carried out jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), States and Union Territories.
• Such joint exercises between the CGWB and States/Union Territories were carried out earlier in 1980, 1995, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017 and 2020.

Highlights:

• The total annual groundwater recharge for the entire country is 437.6 billion cubic metres (bcm) and annual groundwater extraction for the entire country is 239.16 bcm.
• Out of the total 7,089 assessment units in the country, 1,006 units have been categorised as “over-exploited” in the report.
• By comparison, an assessment in 2020 found that the annual groundwater recharge was 436 bcm and extraction 245 bcm.
• In 2017, recharge was 432 bcm and extraction 249 bcm. The 2022 assessment suggests that groundwater extraction is the lowest since 2004, when it was 231 bcm.
• The analysis indicates increase in ground water recharge which may mainly be attributed to increase in recharge from canal seepage, return flow of irrigation water and recharges from water bodies/tanks & water conservation structures.
• The improvement in ground water conditions in 909 assessment units in the country when compared with 2017 assessment data.
• In addition, overall decrease in number of over-exploited units and decrease in stage of groundwater extraction level have also been observed.

Source : The Hindu