Context
In order to capture the water level of selected wells in a village, the government recently launched the JALDOOT App.
About
- Applicability: across the country.
- The app will enable Gram Rojgar Sahayak (GRS) to measure the water level of selected wells twice a year (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon).
- These will be representative of the ground water level in that village.
- In every village, an adequate number of measurement locations (2-3) shall need to be selected.
- These will be representative of the ground water level in that village.
- The app will facilitate panchayats with robust data, which can be further used for better planning of works.
- The ground water data could be utilised as part of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and Mahatma Gandhi NREGA planning exercises.
- Further, the data can also be used for different kinds of research and other purposes.
Why is the measurement of the water table necessary?
- Withdrawal of groundwater as well as utilization of surface water sources has reached critical levels in many parts of the country, resulting in significant depletion of water levels causing distress to the community, including farmers.
- Therefore measurement and observation of the levels of water tables is necessary.
Government scheme for rejuvenation of Groundwater
- Water is a state subject in India. However the central government has launched a few schemes to recharge the groundwater in India.
- Atal Bhujal Yojana
- The Government of India has launched a Rs. 6000 crore Central sector scheme, Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) with the assistance of World Bank assistance.
- The programme was launched on 1 April 2020 for a period of five years.
- It aims for sustainable management of ground water resources with community participation in 8562 water stressed Gram Panchayats (GPs) of seven States, viz. Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan
- Government of India launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan in 2019 in 256 water stressed districts in the country which continued during 2021 also to improve water availability including ground water conditions in these areas.
- Further, the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” campaign for the year 2022 have been launched by the President of India.
- The JSA-2022 shall continue till 30 Nov 2022.
- The campaign has given special emphasis on creation of recharge structures, rejuvenation of traditional water bodies, intensive afforestation etc.
