Groundwater extraction

In News: The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) granted relief to 2,069 industries as it extended the last date for applying for no objection certificates (NOCs) from June 30 to September 30 for groundwater extraction.

• On June 27, the CGWA had listed 2,069 projects/ units which had failed to renew the NOCs issued by the authority for groundwater extraction.
• Notice has been issued for the violation of Guidelines to regulate and control groundwater extraction in India.

Guidelines to regulate and control groundwater extraction in India

• The guidelines have pan-India applicability which was never there before.

The Guidelines

Prohibition of industries:

• The guidelines prohibit new industry and mining projects in over-exploited zones and makes it mandatory for existing industries, commercial units and big housing societies to take ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC).

Exemption:

• The domestic consumers, rural drinking water schemes, armed forces, farmers and micro & small enterprises (that withdraw upto 10 cubic metres per day) are exempted from the requirement of a no objection certificate.
• The NOCs are issued for a period of 2 to 5 years, depending on the users and the category of area in which they are located (over exploited, critical, semi-critical and safe).
• The guidelines have also encouraged the use of recycled and treated sewage water by industries, mentioned a provision of action against polluting industries and mandated the requirement of digital flow meters, piezometers and digital water level recorders

Compensation:

• It prescribes a minimum environmental compensation of ₹1 lakh on industrial, mining and infrastructure users for extracting groundwater without a No objection certificate (NOC).

Abstraction charges:

• All residential apartments/ group housing societies/ Government water supply agencies in urban areas would be required to pay ground water abstraction charges.

Central Ground Water Authority

• CGWA has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Purpose

• To regulate and control, management and development of ground water in the country and to issue necessary regulatory directions for the purpose.

Source: Indian Express

Previous Year Question

Q.1) Consider the following statements: (2020)

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?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 2 only
4. 1 and 3 only

Q.2) Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986? (2022)

1. Central Water Commission
2. Central Ground Water Board
3. Central Ground Water Authority
4. National Water Development Agency