About Central Ground Water Board

The Central Ground Water Board was constituted as the national apex organization in 1970. The main activities of the Board include macro-level hydrogeological investigations, deep exploratory drilling coupled with remote sensing studies, geophysical studies and pumping tests to study the subsurface hydrogeolocial features and nation-wide monitoring of the behaviour of water table and water quality through a network of 15,640 hydrograph stations. This includes a total of 2,239 purpose built piezometers constructed under Hydrology Project.. 1200 piezometers are fitted with Digital Water Level Recorder (DWLR) to get continuous ground water levels at desired intervals. The data generated from these investigations provide a scientific base for preparation of ground water development schemes by the state Governments. In areas having problem of ground water pollution, sea-water ingress, groundwater depletion, etc., special studies are undertaken to assess the magnitude of the problem and suggest remedial measures. Besides advising the States on planning, financing and administration of groundwater development schemes, the Board undertakes research and development schemes, water balance studies, conjunctive use studies and artificial recharge studies. The Board also organizes training of personnel of different disciplines from related Central and State Government organizations.

The Central Ground Water Board carries out exploratory drilling aided by geophysical and remote sensing studies to decipher the potentiality of various geological formations. The Board has drilled 26756 exploratory wells till 31st March, 2007. The successful exploratory wells have been offered to the State Governments. The Central Ground Water Board has earmarked substantial number of rigs for construction of tubewells to assist the State Governments for mitigating the drinking water problems in the drought-affected areas of the country.

To meet the two-fold challenge before the country of increased water demands and reduced in availability of fresh water, the Central Ground Water Board has promoted the practice of artificially recharging ground water including rain water harvesting. During the Ninth Plan, the Central Ground Water Board implemented a Central Sector Scheme on "Study of Recharge to Ground Water" under which 165 recharge projects in various hydrogeological conditions spreading over 27 States/UTs were taken up for implementation, out of which 153 projects have been completed. The projects implemented by the Board have resulted in rise in ground water levels, reduction in pumping lifts, leading to energy savings and providing additionality to the water resources in benefited areas.

The Central Ground Water Board also provides technical know-how for construction of rainwater harvesting structures in various parts of the country free of cost. To create awareness, the Board has got incorporated a chapter on Water Resources in NCERT textbook, which has been modified to include "Artificial Recharge and Rain Water Harvesting".

The Board regularly publishes scientific reports and maps for its fruitful utilization by the concerned State Governments and user agencies engaged in ground water development and management of the country. Recently, the Board has published Hydrogeological Map of India; Master Plan on Artificial Recharge to Ground Water, Guidelines on Artificial Recharge to Ground Water, etc. The Board prepared user friendly "Ground Water Maps" of 500 districts.

Central Ground Water Authority organizes mass awareness programmes at different locations of the country. Till now Central Ground Water Authority has conducted 344 mass awareness programmes on Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge of Ground water throughout the country involving Central/State/NGO's VO's resident welfare organizations, educational institutions, industries and individuals. The Authority has also conducted 259 Training programmes to generate resource persons as a measure of capacity building for designing Rain Water Harvesting structures to augment ground water in different terrains and diverse hydrogeological conditions in the country. Awareness generated through printing of Meghdoot post cards in Hindi and English, slogans on mall vans and letter-boxes through Department of Posts. Spots and talks highlighting the importance of ground water conservation, protection and augmentation were broadcasted in AIR, AIR FM and Doordarshan. Films were produced on Rain water harvesting in Urban areas, Rain water harvesting in Rural areas, Ground Water Pollution etc. and shown during various mass awareness and training programmes. Material on Rain Water Harvesting to Augment Ground Water has been integrated into Vidya Vahini Portal.