Groundwater Resource Assessment Report 2024

The Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for 2024 was released by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri CR Patil. This report, prepared by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and States/UTs, provides crucial data for stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding water resource management.

Groundwater Recharge and Extraction Data

The total annual groundwater recharge in India is assessed at 446.90 Billion Cubic Metres (BCM).

After accounting for natural discharge, the extractable groundwater resource is estimated at 406.19 BCM.

The total annual groundwater extraction across all sectors is recorded at 245.64 BCM. The average extraction stage stands at 60.47%.

Assessment Units Classification

Out of 6746 assessment units, 4951 (73.4%) are classified as ‘Safe’.

A total of 711 (10.5%) units are deemed ‘Semi-critical’, while 206 (3.05%) units are classified as ‘Critical’.

Additionally, 751 (11.1%) units are marked as ‘Over-exploited’.

There are also 127 (1.8%) units identified as ‘Saline’, indicating brackish or saline groundwater.

Improvements in Groundwater Conditions

The assessment shows an increase in groundwater recharge, primarily due to enhanced recharge from water bodies and conservation efforts. Compared to 2023, there is an improvement in groundwater conditions in 128 assessment units. Furthermore, a decline in the percentage of over-exploited, critical, and semi-critical units has been noted.

Key Highlights and Trends

The total annual groundwater recharge has increased by 15 BCM since 2017, while extraction has decreased by 3 BCM. Although there is a slight reduction in recharge and an increase in extraction compared to 2023, recharge from tanks, ponds, and water conservation structures has consistently risen. Recently, this recharge increased by 0.39 BCM relative to 2023 and by 11.36 BCM since 2017.

Safe and Over-exploited Units Statistics

The percentage of assessment units classified as ‘Safe’ has risen from 62.6% in 2017 to 73.4% in 2024. Conversely, the percentage of over-exploited units has decreased from 17.24% in 2017 to 11.13% in 2024. These trends highlight progress in groundwater management over the years.

GKToday Notes:

CGWB: The Central Ground Water Board is responsible for groundwater management in India. It conducts assessments and supports sustainable practices. It plays a key role in water resource planning.
BCM: Billion Cubic Metres is a unit of measurement for large volumes of water. It is commonly used in hydrology. BCM quantifies groundwater recharge and extraction levels effectively.
Water Conservation Structures: These are man-made systems to enhance water retention. They include tanks and ponds. Their effectiveness in increasing groundwater recharge has been demonstrated in assessments.
Saline Units: These assessment units contain brackish or saline groundwater. They represent 1.8% of total units. Their management is crucial for ensuring freshwater availability in affected regions.