NGT grants CGWA 4 more weeks to submit groundwater management plan for Lucknow

New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal has granted four additional weeks to the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) to submit groundwater management plans for several residential blocks in Lucknow. The NGT is hearing the matter where it has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report regarding depletion of groundwater in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. According to the report, 10 years ago in the Azad Nagar residential locality in Geetapalli area, groundwater was found at 80 feet and which is presently at 240 feet, revealing the level has decreased by around 160 feet. It claimed that data from Jal Sansthan and Jal Nigam showed that till 10 years ago, the locations where tube wells had to be bored for just 80 to 100 feet, now require 220 to 240 feet deep and that as soon as the summer started in 2024, tube wells failed in 38 areas in Lucknow. The report alleged that wrongful exploitation of water and negligence in the water conservation schemes is the primary reason for fall in the level of groundwater in the state capital. On March 19 this year, the CGWA had submitted a report regarding the implementation of the block-wise groundwater management plan prepared under the National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) in Lucknow district across several blocks, such as Malihabad, Chinhat, Sarojini Nagar, Bakshi Ka Talab, Mohanlalganj, Gosainganj, Kakori and Mal. In an order dated July 3, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad noted that it had directed the CGWA to place on record within four weeks the block-wise management plans of the blocks concerned. The tribunal also noted that according to the CGWA's advocate, the agency would submit an affidavit after verifying compliance of the block-wise management plan as disclosed by the district magistrate of Lucknow The NGT noted that the CGWA’s counsel sought an additional four weeks to furnish the information in pursuance of the tribunal’s direction. Allowing the request, the tribunal listed the matter on September 21 for further proceedings. PTI MNR MNR KVK KVK