Total Annual Ground Water Recharge Is 449.08 Billion Cubic Meters, Marking An Increase Of 11.48 BCM Compared To 2022
Union Minister for Jal Shakti Releases India’s Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for 2023. The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat released the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for the entire country for the year 2023 today. The assessment was carried out jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and States/UTs, which can be used for taking suitable interventions by various stake-holders. As per the 2023 assessment report, the total annual ground water recharge for the entire country is 449.08 billion cubic meters (BCM), marking an increase of 11.48 BCM compared to the previous year (2022) and annual ground water extraction for the entire country is 241.34 BCM. Further, out of the total 6553 assessment units in the country, 736 units have been categorised as ‘over-exploited’.
- Assessment indicates increase in ground water recharge
- Analysis indicates improvement in ground water conditions in 226 assessment units in the country compared with 2022 assessment data
- Total annual ground water recharge for entire country is 449.08 billion cubic meters (BCM), while extraction is 241.34 BCM
- Stage of ground water extraction stands at 59.23%.
- Out of total 6553 assessment units, 4793 units categorized as ‘Safe’
- Such joint exercises between CGWB & States/UTs were carried out earlier in 1980, 1995, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2020 and 2022
A detailed analysis of the information collected from the assessment indicates increase in ground water recharge which may mainly be attributed to increase in recharge from canal seepage, return flow of irrigation water and recharges from water bodies/tanks & water conservation structures. Further, analysis indicates improvement in ground water conditions in 226 assessment units in the country when compared with 2022 assessment data. In addition, overall decrease in number of over-exploited units and decrease in stage of groundwater extraction level have also been observed.
Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee; Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ms. Vini Mahajan; Joint Secretary (A, IC & GW), Shri Subodh Yadav; Chairman, CGWB Dr. Sunil Kumar Ambast were present on the occasion.
Source: https://pib.gov.in
