Central Ground Water Board has been at the forefront of activities for augmenting groundwater resources through scientifically designed aquifer rejuvenation (also known as artificial recharge or MAR-Managed Aquifer Recharge) interventions. The initial experiments on artificial recharge carried out by CGWB dates back to the 1970s. A number of pilot schemes and demonstrative artificial recharge schemes have been implemented by the Board in association with various State Government organizations since the 8th plan period. These are aimed at popularizing cost-effective groundwater augmentation techniques suitable for various hydrogeological settings. A summary of aquifer rejuvenation activities of CGWB is given below.
Central Ground Water Board had taken up Pilot Artificial Recharge studies under Central Sector Schemes to augment the groundwater resources during VIII, IX & X Plans. The schemes have been executed through State Agencies and NGOs with the technical and financial support from Central Ground Water Board.
| Period | State/UT | Interventions |
|---|---|---|
| VIII Plan (1992-97) | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal & Chandigarh | Total 62 Structures constructed including Percolation Tanks (10); Recharge Shaft (2); Recharge wells (8); Watershed Treatment (2); Check Dams (14); RWH (3); Subsurface Dykes (23) |
| 4 IX Plan (1997-2002) | Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Andaman & Nicobar, Bihar, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal | Total 679 structures constructed including Percolation Tanks (28), Check Dams (30), Recharge Shaft (251), RWH (247), Recharge wells (100), Subsurface Dykes (13), Micro Watershed Treatment (10) |
| X Plan (2002-07) | Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh & Tamil Nadu | Total 174 structures constructed. |
| XI Plan (2007-12) | Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal | Total 1293 structures constructed including Percolation Tanks (152), Check Dams (410), Recharge Shaft (321), RWH (280), Micro Watershed Treatment (127), Subsurface Dykes (03) |
A separate scheme on Dug well recharge was prepared for Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh states, covering 4.455 Million irrigation dug wells falling in 1155 blocks. The Scheme was implemented through NABARD. Under this scheme, farmers were given funds directly for the construction of recharge pits near the dug well at an average cost of Rs.4000/- which varied from Rs.3600/- (Maharashtra) to Rs.5700/- (Andhra Pradesh).
Under this project, suitable artificial recharge structures were constructed to harvest runoff water in the stream to store it at suitable locations for the augmentation of groundwater through artificial recharge. The project commenced in the year of 2018 and has been completed. The number and types of structures constructed are summarized below.
| Sr. No. | Block, District, State | Interventions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Osmanabad, Osmanabad, Maharashtra | Constructed 55 Check Dams, 20 Piezometers & 46 Recharge wells. |
| 2 | Pulivendula, YSR Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh | Constructed 16 Check dams, 4 Percolation tank, 1 Sub surface barrier and 36 Recharge shaft & 12 Piezometers. |
| 3 | Bachennapet, Warangal (Jangaon), Telangana | Constructed 6 Check dams, 1 Sub surface barrier and 31 Recharge shaft & 9 Piezometers |
Bridge cum Bandhara (BCB) is a water conservation structure that serves a dual purpose of transportation and artificial recharge through storage of water in the upstream side. Five BcB projects were implemented under tripartite agreement between CGWB, WAPCOS and the respective State Governments. The projects were taken up under the ground water management and regulation scheme (2017-20). The projects were taken up in the eastern region of Maharashtra in the districts of Wardha and Amravati at the following five locations. The Bandharas have been constructed by using state of the art technology. Automatic radial gates are installed at Sarwadi, Tiwasa, Deoli & Jamni. Rubber dam has been installed at Ajraphata to regulate the flow of water in the streams.
- Sarwadi, Tehsil: Karanja, District: Wardha
- Deoli, Tehsil: Deoli, District: Wardha
- Jamni, Tehsil: Selu, District: Wardha
- Tiwasa, Tehsil: Tiwasa, District: Amravati
- AjraPhata, Tehsil: Samudrapur, District: Wardha
CGWB has provided technical guidance in selection of sites & design of artificial recharge structures and capacity building of MGNREGS officials in select 09 Blocks of 08 States. The activity was taken during the period 2018 to 2020.
- Peddaravedu, Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh
- Munugode, Nallagonda, Telangana
- Gowribidanur, Chickballalpur, Karnataka
- Mathur, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu
- Madalgarh, Bhilwara, Rajasthan
- Reodhar, Sirohi, Rajasthan
- Babain, Kurukshetra, Haryana
- Badnagar, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
- Warud, Amravati, Maharashtra
Under the Ground Water Management and Regulation (GWMR) Scheme, CGWB in association with WAPCOS is implementing aquifer rejuvenation projects in the water stressed areas of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur & Sikkar districts of Rajasthan. Structures like earthen dams, check dams, anicuts, and ponds with recharge shafts are being constructed under this project.
CGWB had prepared a Master Plan for Artificial Recharge in 2013. The revised Master plan for artificial recharge has been prepared by CGWB jointly with respective State government departments under the guidance of the inter ministerial committee constituted by DoWR, RD & GR. The master plan is a macro plan, that includes feasibility of various structures for the different terrain conditions, estimated costs etc. The master plan includes recommendations for artificial recharge in both rural and urban areas. Total 141.75 Lakh structures are proposed in the plan at an estimated cost of Rs 1.34 lakh Cr. The masterplan has been shared with the State Government
- Manual of Artificial Recharge Structures
- Demonstrative Artificial Recharge Projects
- SoP for Sustainability of Drinking Water Sources
- Select Case Studies on Artificial Recharge and Rain Water Harvesting
- Rain water Harvesting Techniques to Augment Ground Water
- SoP for adoption of Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting in Delhi
- Guide on Artificial Recharge to Ground Water
- Master Plan for artificial Recharge to Groundwater-2020
- Visit Our Publications Repository for more documents
