SPEECH OF HON’BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH,SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF ONE DAY WORKSHOP ON “IMPLEMENTATION OF MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR GROUND WATER SUSTAINABILITY BASED ON FINDINGS OF NAQUIM STUDIES”AT JW MARRIOTT, CHD

I extend my warm greetings all of you who have taken keen interest and gathered here to participate in the Regional Workshop organized by Central Ground Water Board on "National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme” under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav
Such Workshops can help us in focussing on the best possible ways for sustainable management of ground water resources in North India, particularly where the situation is serious. The groundwater scenario in North India varies greatly but some of the key issues include over-exploitation, contamination, water-logging and lack of groundwater management.Ground water is a natural resource which plays an important role in Indian economy for ensuring food security of the country. Ground Water use has been expanding since the beginning of Green Revolution during the 1970s and has continued ever since. The consequent manifestations have been adverse environmental impact in the form of declining water levels and deterioration in ground water quality. Generally, ground water is preferred to surface water as it is readily available below the ground almost everywhere, and common man can explore it to meet his water needs by constructing a dug well or a tube well with small investment. Ground water contributes around 85% of drinking water needs of rural India.  Importance of groundwater resources is also being recognised in industrial and urban sectors and the demand of water is increasing with growing population and change in style of living.Friends, It is impossible to imagine any life without water. Infact, It is quite appropriate to say that 'water is life'. Nature has blessed humanity with water resources. It has provided us with vast rivers, on whose banks great civilizations flourished. Rivers have special significance in the Indian culture and are worshiped as Mother. We have dedicated places for worship of the rivers - for Ganga and Yamuna in Uttarakhand, for Narmada in Madhya Pradesh and for Ganga-Sagar in Bengal. Such religious practices kept us connected with nature. The construction of ponds and wells were considered a virtuous act. Unfortunately with the advent of modernity and industrial economy, we have lost that connect with nature.Due to increasing population, the condition of our rivers and reservoirs is deteriorating, village ponds are drying up, many local rivers have disappeared. Exploitation of water in agriculture and industries is taking place more than necessary. The environmental balance on the earth has started deteriorating, weather patterns are changing and unseasonal excesses have become common.It is a harsh reality that the quantity of ground water is decreasing and its level is going down.In India, this problem becomes more serious because our country has about 18 percent of the world's population, while we have only 4 percent of the fresh water resources. The availability of water is uncertain and depends to a large extent on rainfall.
     As a result, the challenge of the water crisis is mounting as India moves ahead on the path of development. If the country is not concerned about water preservation and does not prevent the wastage of water, the situation will deteriorate in the coming decades. It is our responsibility that the water given to us by our ancestors should be made available for our future generations.
     Adequate availability of water is a very important factor for 21st century India. Water is the need of every household and every field; it is also very important for every aspect of life and economy. Today, when we talk about rapid growth and are making efforts in the direction, it is not possible without water security and effective water management.
     The Ministry of Jal Shakti was formed to work in an integrated and holistic manner on the issue of water and to give it the highest priority. Centre government has prioritized water governance in its policies and decisions. A number of steps have been taken in this direction. Expeditious work is being undertaken on the schemes whether it is the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna, water campaign to every farm - Har Khet ko Paani, 'Per Drop More Crop' campaign and Namami Gange Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission or Atal Bhujal Yojana.        To make the Jal Andolan a Jan Andolan - a mass movement, the Government of India in 2019 launched the ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’. And in the same year 'Jal Jeevan Mission' was also launched. Similarly, on the 'World Water Day', ‘Catch the Rain' campaign was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
     All these efforts are expected to usher in a water consciousness in the minds of people and help in bringing about a behavioural change.
I am happy that awareness regarding the importance of water is growing and efforts too are increasing in this direction.
     The major challenges for the ground water sector include depletion of ground water levels, deterioration in ground water quality, water logging in major irrigation command and saline water ingress in coastal areas. Moreover, climate change will further impact the availability of water.
The overall health of ground water in the country can be gauged from the fact that the total annual replenishable ground water resource of the Country assessed in March 2022 has been calculated as 398 Billion Cubic Metres (BCM) and total ground water draft is 239.16 BCM with overall stage of ground water development of 60.08%. 
     Out of the total Seven thousand and Eighty Nine (7089) assessment units, there are 1006 assessment units spread over 14 States and 2 UTs which have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’. 
In addition, there are, 260 assessment units which are categorized as ‘Critical’ and 885 assessment units as ‘Semi-Critical’ in the country, which is indeed a serious issue of concern. 
     As per the Ground Water Assessment, state of Punjab has been categorized as “Over-exploited” meaning that the rate of groundwater extraction is higher than the rate of recharge. Out of total 150 assessed blocks 114 blocks have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’, 04 blocks as ‘Critical’, 15 blocks as ‘Semi Critical’ and 17 blocks as ‘Safe’. 
This excessive use of groundwater has led to a depletion of this vital resource, which is having severe consequences on the availability of water for agriculture, drinking and other uses 
     Access to safe water for drinking, and other domestic needs, continues to be a problem in many parts of the country. The ground water quality data generated during various scientific studies and monitoring carried out by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) witnessed high occurrence of Arsenic, Fluoride, Nitrate as well as other pollutants in various parts of the country. 
In last few years, level of pollutants such as Nitrate, Fluoride, Chloride, Uranium, Arsenic etc. in groundwater have been found in much higher concentrations than the permissible limit by BIS in few parts of State of Punjab. 
The deteriorating quality of groundwater in Punjab is a significant challenge and there is a need for urgent attention to improve the quality of groundwater in the State.
The National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM) was taken up by Central Ground Water Board during XII plan and is continuing till date with the broad objectives of delineation of  the aquifer geometry, establishing  the ground water potential and formulation of  aquifer wise management plans  An area of nearly 25 lakh square kilometre has been covered in Phase I of NAQUIM throughout the country .
     As phase I of NAQUIM (नैक्यूम) is almost complete, this is an apt time to deliberate on various aquifer management strategies/plans developed by Central Ground Water Board. 
     This workshop will be an opportunity to network, share knowledge and engage in meaningful discussion about one of the most pressing issues of our times i.e. sustainable management of groundwater. 
     I welcome the delegates and request them to deliberate on the key concerns and offer their views and suggestions for laying down a clear road map and future strategies to address the issue. 
     It is said of the army that “the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war”. I think this rule also applies to water. If we work hard and make plans to save water then we can prevent losses amounting to the tune of billions of rupees during famine.
     Now, the entire world is also celebrating International Millet Year on the initiative of India. Millets such as Bajra and Jowar have been a part of cultivation and food habits in our country for centuries. Millets are rich in nutrition and also take less water in cultivation. Therefore, if we motivate people to include more coarse grains in their diet, then this campaign will gain strength and water conservation will also get a boost.
     I am confident that outcomes of the various sessions organized during this workshop on various important topics will guide us in addressing various ground water management issues and help in prioritization of areas for ground water development and management.
Let us also ensure the sustainability of ground water resources through involvement of communities.      I hope, together we can develop and implement comprehensive solutions for management of our groundwater resources, so as to ensure a brighter future for generations to come.  After all, “Jal Hai to Kal hai”.
Thank You.
Jai Hind.