Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 10
Despite deficit rainfall in 2021, the ground water level in Nagaland recovered marginally between November 2020 and November 2021, according the information provided by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in the Lok Sabha on February 3.
The minimum ‘Depth to Water Level’ measured in terms of Metre Below Ground Level (mgbl) in Nagaland was 3.58 mgbl in November 2021, an improvement from 4.21 mgbl during the corresponding period in 2020, highlighted the data given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply to an unstarred question.
Likewise, the maximum ‘Depth to Water Level’ was 6.05 mgbl in November 2021, an improvement from 6.37 mgbl in 2020.
However, the data highlighted that the minimum depth of water level has been increased considerably from 1.32 mgbl in November 2019, to 4.21 mgbl in 2020 and 3.58 mgbl in 2021.
Accordingly, the minimum depth of water level in Nagaland was highest among the States and Union Territories (UTs) in both 2020 and 2021.
Across India, out of 14470 wells analysed, the minimum depth of water level ranged from 0.00 mgbl to 116.98 mgbl.
Annual recharge more than 70% from monsoon season
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) periodically monitors and analysis the ground water levels throughout the country on a regional scale, through a network of monitoring wells, the MoS said.
Data on Nagaland presented on February 3 was based on 2 wells in 2021 and 2020 and 3 in 2019.
Further, citing a CGWB’s 2020 assessment, Tudu informed that out of the total 6965 assessment units (Block/Taluks/Mandals/watersheds/Firkas) in the country, 1114 units in 15 States/UTs have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’ where the Annual Ground Water Extraction is more than Annual Extractable Ground Water Resource.
The assessment titled ‘Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2020’ also highlighted that Nagaland was among 14 States/UTs where the “contribution in Annual Ground Water Recharge from rainfall during monsoon season” was more than 70%.
Though no wells were designated ‘Over-exploited,’ Nagaland was also among 16 States/UTs where ground water extraction for domestic uses is more than 40%.
GoI’s rejuvenation initiative
Meanwhile, on policy measures taken by the Government of India for rejuvenation of ground water levels, the MoS said that the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) launched in 2019 continued on 2021 to improve water availability including ground water conditions in the country.
Further, the campaign “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the rain” (JSA: CTR) was launched by the Prime Minister on March 22, 2021, he said.
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has formulated guidelines for the States to adopt measures suitable to local conditions such as Unified Building Bye Laws (UBBL) of Delhi, 2016, Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL), 2016 and Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014, wherein adequate focus has been given on requirement of rainwater harvesting and water conservation measures, he said.
As per MBBL, all buildings having a plot size of 100 sq.m. or more shall mandatorily include the complete proposal of rainwater harvesting and 33 States/ UTs have adopted the features of these Bye Laws, he added.
