Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is a regulatory body constituted under the direction of the Nation's Apex Court for controlling ground water pollution and indiscriminate drilling and withdrawal of ground water in the country with a view to preserve and protect the ground water resource.

The Authority functions under the administrative control of Ministry of Water Resources with its headquarters at New Delhi and has the jurisdiction over the entire country.

How is it constituted ?

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Union Government to constitute the Central Ground Water Board as an Authority while disposing of Interlocutory Application taken on file with IA No. 32 in W.P.(C) No. 4677 of 1985. The Apex Court felt it necessary to have an Authority for the purpose of regulation, control, management and development of ground water resources. The Ground Water Authority shall exercise all its powers contained in the section 3 (3) of Environment Protection Act 1986 of Ministry of Environment and Forests with penal provisions contained with section 15 to 21 of the Act. Accordingly CGWA has been formed on the 14^th January 1997.

What is its necessity ?

The increased demand and scarcity of water resources, the deterioration of surface and ground water quality and haphazard land use have necessitated to form the CGWA fro a Hological Approach of water resources management sustainable solutions to water resource, Land-use problems through appropriate technological interventions and supply and demand management options.

Regulation on exploitation through legislation and effective administration with focus on water conservation, recycle, reuse, restrictions to ensure equitability in water availability and pragmatic land use.

Regulation by education and creating awareness amongst the people to enable their participation and traditional knowledge in sustainable water resource management.

What are its powers and functions ?

The Authority in close co-ordination and liaison with all the related Departments will perform the following functions.

Excercise 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 the 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 this purpose ;

Excercise of powers under Section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, for appointment of officers.

How are you benefited ?

Precious ground water resources are protectd and made available for every needy person to meet all the domestic, agricultrual and industrial requirements which go a long way in the over all development and growth of the country.

What part your are expected to play in strengthening CGWA ?

The authority discharges its functions in accordance with the Environment Protection Rules enunciated under EPA of 1986. You are required to cooperate when regulations are enforced and support the national cause by explaining to your friends those who are ignorant of the legal provisions and ultimate benefits.

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