The Central Ground Water Authority of the Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation on December 12, 2018 notified revised guidelines for ground water extraction. The revised guidelines, which will be effective from June 1, 2019, aim to ensure a more robust ground water regulatory mechanism in the country.

According to this policy released by the government, all water data maintained by the Central Water Commission and the Central Ground Water Board will be made available in the public domain.

Ground water has emerged as an important source to meet the water requirements of various sectors including the major consumers of water like irrigation, domestic and industries. The sustainable development of ground water resource requires precise quantitative assessment based on reasonably valid scientific principles.

The main objectives of the scheme are: Comprehensive improvement of selected tank systems including restoration; Improvement of catchment areas of tank; Community participation and self-supporting system for sustainable management for each water body;

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in association with State Ground Water Departments has assessed that 1065 talukas/blocks/mandals fall under over exploited and critical categories. Ground water levels have been on the decline in urban/semi-urban areas and rural areas and the issues of ground water quality are natural corollary.

The main objectives of the scheme are: comprehensive improvement of selected tank systems including restoration; improvement of catchment areas of tank; community participation and self-supporting system for sustainable management for water bodies covered by the programme; Ground Water Recharge.; Capacity Building of communities, user groups standing committee for Panchayats and State Government/C

Under

Studies have been undertaken from time to time by the Government to assess the impact of climate change on water resources.

Revised draft of the National Water Mission approved by the Prime Minister

The recently published guidelines for convergence of water conservation and irrigation works to be taken up under NREGA and the programmes of Ministry of Water Resources. These are meant to optimize synergies between NREGA and MoWR as more than 50% of NREGA projects are related to water management.