Panel recommends new central body to mitigate water woes

Panel recommends new central body to mitigate water woes

Subject: Environment

Section: Biodiversity

Context: State- and central-level bodies that currently bear responsibility for issues related to water, lack coordination between them, a Parliamentary Standing Committee report has noted.

More on the News:

• The report, tabled in the Lok Sabha two weeks ago, also recommended the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti (water resources) constitute a central body with representation from the bodies.
• The bodies, alluded to by the committee, include:
  • The Union Ministry of Rural Development, and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
  • State departments, state and central pollution control boards
  • Dedicated authorities such as the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)
• The Committee observed that dependence on groundwater for irrigation was excessive. This was so because water-intensive crops like paddy and sugarcane command higher minimum support price (MSP), it noted.
• Laws on groundwater management were passed in 19 states based on a model Bill circulated in 1970 and last revised in 2005. The Committee observed difficulties in implementing these laws due to the lack of guidelines.
• The Committee, meanwhile, recommended the department of water resources, river development, and ganga rejuvenation takes urgent action in this regard.
• A lack of sharing of data and coordination between bodies responsible for addressing groundwater pollution such as state government departments, pollution control boards, and agencies such as the CGWA.
• It further recommended amendment of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, “to enable pollution control boards to impose monetary penalties, as a less severe penalty than the outright closure of industrial units”.

Central Ground Water Board

• Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is a governmental organization under the Ministry of Jal Shakti that is responsible for developing and managing groundwater resources in India.
• The CGWB was established in 1970 as part of the Ground Water Wing of the Central Water Commission.
• The primary objective of the CGWB is to carry out surveys and assessment of the groundwater resources in India and develop plans and policies for their conservation and management.
• Some key functions of the CGWB include:
  • Conducting hydrogeological studies and monitoring of groundwater levels and quality across the country.
  • Developing groundwater management plans for areas facing water scarcity or overexploitation.
  • Regulating groundwater extraction through the issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs) and other permits.
  • Promoting rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge of groundwater.
  • Providing technical assistance and training to stakeholders, including state governments, local bodies, and NGOs.

Central Ground Water Authority

• Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is a regulatory body under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
• It was established in 1970 under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• The primary mandate of CGWA is to regulate and control the development and management of groundwater resources in the country.
• Some of the key functions of CGWA are as follows:
  • Grant of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for groundwater withdrawal: CGWA is responsible for granting NOCs to industries, infrastructure projects, and other water-intensive activities for groundwater withdrawal in over-exploited, critical, and semi-critical areas.
  • Monitoring of groundwater levels: CGWA monitors the groundwater levels in different parts of the country and prepares an annual groundwater assessment report. It also monitors the implementation of groundwater management plans.
  • Regulation of groundwater use: CGWA regulates the use of groundwater by imposing restrictions on its withdrawal, fixing the maximum permissible limit for groundwater extraction, and enforcing penalties for non-compliance.