The Ministry of Jal Shakti has unveiled the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for the entire country for the year 2023. The assessment was conducted collaboratively by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and States/Union Territories.
The assessments aims to guide strategic interventions by various stakeholders involved in water resource management. As per the findings of the 2023 assessment report, the total annual ground water recharge for the entire country is reported at 449.08 billion cubic meters (BCM), demonstrating an encouraging increase of 11.48 BCM compared to the previous year (2022). Simultaneously, the annual ground water extraction for the entire country is documented at 241.34 BCM.
The report highlights that out of the total 6553 assessment units in the country, 736 units have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited,’ signaling areas where the extraction of ground water surpasses its replenishment. Notably, there has been a notable increase in ground water recharge, attributed to factors such as canal seepage, the return flow of irrigation water, and recharges from water bodies, tanks, and water conservation structures.
A detailed analysis of the gathered data indicates positive trends, with ground water conditions improving in 226 assessment units compared to the 2022 assessment. Furthermore, the report notes an overall decrease in the number of over-exploited units and a reduction in the stage of groundwater extraction levels, signifying progress in sustainable water resource management.
