NGT on Groundwater Contamination: Arsenic, Fluoride Risks & Mitigation Framework

About National Green Tribunal (NGT)

• Establishment & Legal Basis: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 as a specialised judicial body for environmental adjudication.
• Powers & Authority: The Tribunal exercises powers equivalent to a civil court, including the authority to award compensation, order restitution, and enforce environmental liability.
• Jurisdiction: The NGT has jurisdiction over key environmental legislations, including the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
• Functional Role: The Tribunal plays a crucial role in ensuring time-bound environmental justice, strengthening regulatory accountability, and enforcing principles such as sustainable development and polluter pays.

About Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)

• Statutory Status: The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is a statutory body constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control groundwater development and management in India.
• Administrative Control: The CGWA functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and operates as the primary regulatory authority for groundwater governance in the country.
• Regulatory Functions: The Authority is responsible for issuing guidelines, granting permissions for groundwater extraction, and taking necessary measures to prevent over-exploitation of groundwater resources.
• Area Classification: The CGWA identifies and classifies regions into over-exploited, critical, and semi-critical categories, and imposes regulatory restrictions on groundwater withdrawal in such areas.
• Sustainable Management Role: The Authority promotes sustainable groundwater management practices, including rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge mechanisms, to enhance long-term water security.
• Role in Current Context: In the present context, the CGWA plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with NGT directions, monitoring implementation, and translating policy decisions into effective on-ground action.

About Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

• Launch & Objective: The Jal Jeevan Mission (2019) aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to every rural household, ensuring safe and adequate drinking water.
• Focus on Water Quality: The Mission places strong emphasis on water quality monitoring, especially in arsenic- and fluoride-affected areas.
• Community Participation: It promotes a community-led approach, involving Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) in planning and implementation.
• Infrastructure Development: The scheme supports the creation of piped water supply systems, treatment plants, and source sustainability measures.
• Current Relevance: In contaminated regions, JJM serves as a critical intervention for reducing dependence on unsafe groundwater sources.

Groundwater Governance Framework in India

• Fragmented Institutional Structure: Groundwater governance involves multiple agencies at Central and State levels, leading to coordination challenges and overlaps.
• Regulatory Mechanism: The Central Ground Water Authority regulates groundwater extraction, while States implement local water laws and policies.
• Legal Framework: Groundwater is largely treated as a private resource linked to land ownership, limiting effective regulation and control.
• Policy Initiatives: Key initiatives include Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal), National Aquifer Mapping Programme (NAQUIM), and Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Sustainability Measures: The framework emphasises rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, demand-side management, and water-use efficiency.
• Key Challenges: The system faces issues such as over-extraction, weak enforcement, data gaps, and lack of community participation, which hinder sustainable groundwater management.