NEWS

• Karnataka now ranks ninth in India for groundwater depletion.
• Steady decline in groundwater levels has raised serious concerns.
• Issue highlighted by Minor Irrigation Minister N.S. Boseraju during the passage of a new Bill in the Legislative Council.

HIGHLIGHTS

Karnataka Groundwater (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) (Amendment) Bill, 2025

Objective:

• To check year-on-year groundwater depletion.
• To promote sustainable management and increase groundwater availability.

Key Provisions:

1. Mandatory NOC – Borewells in notified areas require prior approval.
2. Charges for Extraction – Users to pay depending on the volume of groundwater drawn.
3. Exemptions from NOC:
   • Domestic borewells.
   • Rural drinking water schemes.
   • Defence establishments and armed forces (for drinking water purposes).

Regulation for Large-Scale Users

• Industries, mining, infrastructure projects, residential apartments, and housing societies are exempted from obtaining NOCs.
• However, they face daily extraction limits.
• Heavy users will be charged proportionately to consumption levels.

Alignment with Central Directions

• Bill introduced as per Union government directives.
• Similar laws already operational in 15 other States.

Challenges & Concerns Raised

• Members across parties stressed the need to:
  • Reduce over-extraction of groundwater.
  • Focus on recharge and conservation measures such as rainwater harvesting, watershed management, and afforestation.