Groundwater Plummet: Groundwater Depletion in Odisha Due to Urbanisation and Climate Change | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Rapid urbanisation and climate change have affected groundwater level in Odisha with districts like Malkangiri and Rayagada being the worst hit. Govt data revealed that water has depleted by an average 0.03 metre below ground level (mbgl) between 2013 and 2023.
In terms of percentage, pre-monsoon groundwater table has fallen by 0.47% in the state in the past 10 years, chief minister Mohan Majhi said during a reply in the assembly on Thursday.
In the tribal-dominated district of Malkangiri, water level has gone down by 24.44%, the most in the state. In Rayagada, water depletion was recorded at 20.09% while it is 16.43% in Gajapati.
However, 15 districts have shown improvement in groundwater level with Sundargarh showing a 22.24% rise followed by Subarnapur at 17.88%.
Attributing the fall in groundwater level to rising urbanisation and climate change, Majhi said a proposal to frame rules for implementing the Orissa Ground Water (Regulation, Development and Management) Act, 2011 is under active consideration by the govt.
Once the rules are framed, monitoring and management of groundwater will be done by the Odisha Ground Water Authority (OGWA). At the moment, Majhi said, the Central Ground Water Authority monitors the groundwater level.
Though the Act was notified in 2012, it has not been implemented yet pending framing of rules, govt sources said. Under the Act, OGWA, led by the water resources secretary, will be formed for monitoring and regulating groundwater, sources said. OGWA will conduct periodic census of groundwater level and identify the problem areas and notify them. In notified areas, people have to get permission from the authority to dig wells, except for domestic use and for agricultural purposes to some extent. Once formed, the authority will also decide on giving permission to use groundwater for industry and commercial purposes.
Water rights activists said there should be community involvement for monitoring and use of groundwater. “Involving the community in monitoring groundwater level will sensitize them about the importance of maintaining groundwater table. This is the only way to ensure judicious use of groundwater in the long run,” Ranjan Panda, a researcher and water activist, said.
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