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Groundwater levels dip alarmingly in Gujarat

Of the 10 ULBs, 5 are in the red zone where groundwater extraction is severely restricted, while 5 are put in the dark zone

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Looks like the Gujarat government's ambitious plan of providing drinking water from canals in water deprived areas will need a shift in focus. Even as 46% of total water used by Urban Local Bodies is sourced from the Narmada Canal in different pockets, around 10 ULBs in Gujarat have reported alarmingly low level of groundwater.  

This has been highlighted in a study conducted by the Urban Management Centre (UMC) in around 59 ULBs in Gujarat. Also, seven ULBs are put in grey zone or semi-critical state and 39 are in safe or white zone, considered feasible for groundwater extraction.

Of the 10 ULBs, Idar, Patan, Thara, Tharad and  Dhanera are in the red zone where groundwater extraction is severely restricted. Another five, Dholka, Mehmadabad, Deesa, Manaadaer and Vanthali, are put in the dark zone and not advisable for groundwater extraction.

The director of the organisation involved in conducting the survey, UMC's Manvita Baradi, said that the study results show that 17 ULBs in Gujarat are not in good health as far as groundwater level is considered.

"ULBs in red zone are in worse shape as they do not have alternate source of providing drinking water as they don't have surface water available. So, people here are left with no option but to fetch water using borewells, causing further damage to groundwater levels," she said.

Meghna Malhotra of UMC believes that the study results should be taken as an indication to divert projects like Narmada canal to such areas.

State government officials agree that decreasing groundwater is a problem for parts of Gujarat and said they are working out solutions. "It is true that issue of over-exploitation of groundwater is there in some parts of north Gujarat and Saurashtra regions. The chief minister is also concerned about the issue.
We have chalked out a comprehensive plan to address the issue by constructing check dams and recharging canal network," said BN Navalawala, advisor to the chief minister for water related issues. "We are getting significant results of groundwater level increasing because of check dams in Saurashtra and Sujalam Sufalam recharge canals.” he added.

—(With inputs from Paras K Jha)

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