NGT raps Ministry over groundwater notification

NGT raps Ministry over groundwater notification

News:

The National Green Tribunal shows concern over Union Water Resources Ministry for its notification pertaining to groundwater extraction.

Important Facts:

• India is the largest user of groundwater in the world, which is about 25% of the global groundwater extraction
• Ground water extraction in India is used primarily for irrigation in agricultural activities

Important Features of New Draft

• The draft guidelines make it mandatory for the industries, mining and infrastructure projects, other than those of government, to obtain a no-objection certificate for withdrawing groundwater.
• The government has decided to exempt farmers from taking NOC for extracting water on ground that “livelihood of farmers is dependent on agriculture’.
• The draft guidelines also call for a ‘Water Conservation Fee’ based on quantum of ground water extraction to be paid to states
• Government infrastructure projects, government water supply agencies and group housing societies/private housing societies with only basic amenities will be exempted from such fees and Government mining projects will also be exempted from paying such fees.
• The experts working in the field are not happy and say this will further deteriorate the groundwater situation in the country.

Criticism:

• The guidelines levy a paltry fee but have totally done away with the need to recharge the groundwater. This means pay and keep exploiting the ground water.

Government Argument:

• According to the ministry, there was a need for a uniform regulatory framework for groundwater usage keeping in mind increased number of litigations over water in various courts.
• Uniform guidelines across the country will help in mitigating discriminatory practices in regulation.

WCF and its Impact:

• The WCF payable varies with the category of the area, type of industry and the quantum of ground water extraction
• The high rates of WCF are expected to discourage setting up of new industries in over-exploited and critical areas as well as act as a deterrent to large scale ground water extraction by industries, especially in over-exploited and critical areas.
• The WCF would also compel industries to adopt measures relating to water use efficiency and discourage the growth of packaged drinking water units, particularly in over-exploited and critical areas.

Additional Facts:

• About Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)
• Constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986
• It Has the mandate of regulating groundwater development and management in the country.
• CGWA has been regulating ground water development for its sustainable management in the country through measures such as issue of advisories, public notices, grant of No Objection Certificates (NOC) for ground water withdrawal.