New Delhi. The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has reported that decline in ground water levels in an area is a cumulative effect of ground water withdrawal for all purposes including domestic, industrial as well as agricultural sectors. As per assessment carried out by CGWB in association with the State Ground Water Departments, the share of agriculture in total ground water used in the country is 92%. Remaining 8% is used in domestic and industrial sectors.

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is regulating withdrawal of ground water by new industries/projects in over-exploited, critical and semi-critical areas. The CGWA has issued guidelines for withdrawal of ground water in these areas and requested the State Governments to implement these guidelines. They have ‘notified” 43 areas for regulation of ground water development and decentralized their regulatory powers to Deputy Commissioners / District Magistrates / authorised officers for grant of permission for extraction of ground water for drinking and domestic use in these areas. Complaints of violations of norms in notified areas are referred to the concerned authorised officers for taking actions under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Water Resources, Shri Vincent H. Pala in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.