Consider the following statements:
- 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or “critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
- CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
- India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect
- To regulate the groundwater extraction, Government has divided areas with declining water tables mainly in three categories:
- Overexploited – Areas in which groundwater extraction rate is more than the groundwater recharge rate
- Critical – Areas where groundwater extraction rate is 90-100% of the recharge
- Semi-critical – Areas with an extraction rate of 70-100% of groundwater recharge
- The government data shows groundwater level in 16% of the taluka, mandal, block-level units in the country fall under the “over-exploited” category, while 4% fall under the “critical” category.
Image Source: CGWA
Image Source: TOI
Statement 2 is correct
- Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA):
- CGWA was constituted in January 1997 under sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It is responsible for the regulation and control of groundwater development and management at the central level.
- Powers & Functions:
- Exercise of powers under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for issuing directions and taking such measures in respect of all the matters referred to in sub-section(2) of section 3 of the said Act.
- To resort to penal provisions contained in sections 15 to 21 of the said Act.
- To regulate and control, management and development of ground water in the country and to issue necessary regulatory directions for the purpose.
- Exercise of powers under section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for the appointment of officers.
Statement 3 is correct
- India is the largest user of groundwater in the world. It uses an estimated 230 cubic kilometres of groundwater per year, over a quarter of the global total. More than 60% of irrigated agriculture and 85% of drinking water supplies are dependent on groundwater.
