Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report:
According to the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for the entire country for the year 2022, groundwater extraction in India saw an 18-year decline.
- The assessment was carried out jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), States and Union Territories.
- Such joint exercises between the CGWB and States/Union Territories were carried out earlier in 1980, 1995, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017 and 2020.
Highlights:
- The total annual groundwater recharge for the entire country is 437.6 billion cubic metres (bcm) and annual groundwater extraction for the entire country is 239.16 bcm.
- Out of the total 7,089 assessment units in the country, 1,006 units have been categorised as “over-exploited” in the report.
- By comparison, an assessment in 2020 found that the annual groundwater recharge was 436 bcm and extraction 245 bcm.
- In 2017, recharge was 432 bcm and extraction 249 bcm. The 2022 assessment suggests that groundwater extraction is the lowest since 2004, when it was 231 bcm.
- The analysis 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.
- The improvement in ground water conditions in 909 assessment units in the country when compared with 2017 assessment data.
- In addition, overall decrease in number of over-exploited units and decrease in stage of groundwater extraction level have also been observed.
