The latest review of groundwater data for states and union territories for 2023 by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) shows that the number of “protected” tehsils in Delhi increased between 2022 and 2023. is, and the number of zones categorized as “overexploited” has sunk. However, the report flagged that Delhi withdrew almost all the water that was available for withdrawal last year, making the withdrawal rate 99.13 percent, marginally higher than the 98.16 percent recorded in 2022.
More than 100% withdrawal of groundwater means that more water is being withdrawn than is being recharged. If this figure is less than 100%, it indicates that not enough groundwater is being used. The eviction rate was 101.4 percent in 2020 and an alarming 119.6 percent in 2017, the report said, adding that Delhi has still improved in recent years.
The report said 13 of Delhi's 34 tehsils were classified as “highly exploited” in 2023, down from 15 in 2022.
The number of protected tehsils has now increased to five compared to four in 2022, the report added, calling on Delhi to further improve water conservation practices.
This comes at a time when Delhi is facing a water crisis, depending mostly on water supply from the neighboring state of Haryana to meet its water needs.
The data shows that the net annual groundwater recharge for Delhi in 2023 was 0.38 billion cubic meters (bcm) and of this 0.34 bcm was available for withdrawal. Of this, 99.13 percent or almost the entire amount of water was extracted. In comparison, 0.41 bcm was recharged in 2022, with 0.37 bcm available for extraction. In 2022, 0.36 bcm of water was withdrawn from the earth.
Of the 34 assessment units (tehasils), 13 units (38%) were classified as 'highly exploitative', 12 units (35%) as 'critical', four units (12%) as 'semi-critical', and 5 units (15%) as 'critical'. as 'protected' categories of assessment units,'' Data added.
Diagnostic units are classified as “safe” when the extraction rate is less than 70%, “semi-critical” when it is between 70% and 90%, “critical” when it is between 90% and 100%. Be in between and “overexploited” when it's more than 100%, CGWB said.
The report further makes recommendations on what Delhi can do to further improve the groundwater table, especially in “over-exploited” areas. This includes awareness campaigns and training.
“Rainwater harvesting can be made mandatory for areas where the water table is low. Large number of STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants) and domestic use of this water besides planning and use. “Can be implemented religiously. Creating awareness about water conservation can be organized at an appropriate level,” added the CGWB in its report to bring an appropriate water pricing policy from Delhi. And asked to work towards crop diversification initiatives.
Shashank Shekhar, assistant professor in Delhi University's Department of Geology, said that while initiatives such as rainwater harvesting have helped raise groundwater levels over the past decade, in recent years piper extraction has increased due to improved water supply. I have decreased. “This reduces dependence on borewells and tubewells, and we are gradually seeing less extraction,” he said.