The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has called upon the water resources departments of 21 states, including Delhi, to provide an explanation regarding the status of groundwater and the measures being taken to conserve it. The NGT, headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, has also sought responses from the Central Ground Water Authority, as well as the ministries of jal shakti and environment, forest, and climate change.
The NGT’s request comes in response to media reports highlighting the United Nations’ prediction that India’s groundwater levels will decline significantly by 2025. In particular, the NGT has flagged the situation in Delhi as critical, emphasizing that over 47% of the city’s area faces overexploitation in terms of groundwater extraction.
According to a report by the Central Ground Water Authority, submitted to the NGT on November 22, out of Delhi’s 1,487.6 square kilometer recharge-worthy area, 709.8 square kilometers (47.7%) fall within the overexploited zone, 179.4 square kilometers are classified as critical, and 396.7 square kilometers fall into the semi-critical category. The tribunal also noted that Delhi Jal Board has registered 12,000 private tube wells.
The NGT further stated that the total annual groundwater recharge in Delhi is estimated to be 0.41 billion cubic meters (bcm), while the annual extractable groundwater resources amount to 0.37 bcm. Currently, the city extracts a total of 0.36 bcm, indicating that groundwater extraction is at 98.16% capacity.
In light of these concerning figures, the NGT’s chairperson has set a deadline for the secretaries and authorities to submit their responses before the hearing on February 9, 2024.
Addressing the critical state of groundwater in Delhi, the NGT’s request for explanations reflects the urgency to address this pressing issue. With the looming possibility of water scarcity in the near future, it is crucial for government bodies and authorities to take prompt and effective action to conserve and replenish groundwater reserves. The NGT’s intervention serves as a wake-up call for all stakeholders to prioritize sustainable water management and implement long-term strategies to secure the city’s water resources.
It is hoped that the responses provided by the concerned departments and agencies will shed light on the current efforts being made to address the groundwater crisis and pave the way for more proactive measures and collaboration in the future. The NGT’s initiative serves as a reminder of the need for collective action to safeguard and preserve our valuable natural resources for future generations.
