RTI reveals steep decline in groundwater in Gurugram

GURUGRAM: In response to an RTI filed by Aseem Takyar, an Indian activist, Gurugram’s groundwater cell revealed a major drop in groundwater level in the city. According to the report, the groundwater level had fallen from 33.23m to 36.1m in the last two years. Gurugram had been earlier notified by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) to prevent an acute fall in the level of groundwater.

Other places in Haryana like Pataudi and Sohna have witnessed similar depletion of groundwater with a fall of 2.3m and 2.55m respectively. Former hydrologist M.S. Lamba cited excessive extraction of groundwater for agriculture, construction, and drinking, in comparison to the water recharged, as the reason for such a sharp decline in groundwater in the state. He added, “Though the use of groundwater can be a little less in Gurugram, at least fifty harvesting pits are required to compensate for the groundwater extracted in a year.”

Neelam Ahluwalia, Aravali Bachao Campaigner, commented on the revelation and said, “High levels of cracks and fissures in the Aravali hills made it a superior zone for recharging groundwater, but the dilution of protective laws and illegal felling of trees and encroachments are eating away the mountain range.” Lamba said that the use of treated water for construction, promoting crops that demand less water for growth, and making water harvesting mandatory for all upcoming buildings, could help contain the situation.