7-Emerging Challenges in Groundwater Resource Management before Newly Created State with Special Reference to Chhattisgarh.

Abstract

The newly formed developing states like Chhattisgarh, which is predominantly agriculture based, has unique problems of groundwater resource development and management, unlike other developed states of the country due to the under developed groundwater resource potential. Eighty seven per cent geographical area of Chhattisgarh is covered by hard rock; still the availability of potential aquifer systems in the state is quite high in comparison to the surrounding hard rock terrain of other states. Ground water in the state is being developed by individuals and therefore needs much more disciplined and scientifically acceptable pumping pattern. Along with geomorphology and aquifer disposition, the socio-economic framework of this developing tribal dominated state also governs the groundwater resource development. Proper understanding of hydrogeological and socio-economical structure of the state is key to the future sustainable development of groundwater resource in the state. The role of credit agencies, governmental policies and availability of power etc. play vital role in groundwater resource development by individuals in the state. The political and social peace and conspicuously low industrial activity in the state along with the high per capita availability of overall water resources provides opportunity for steady growth of groundwater resources. In the last two decades the change in groundwater abstraction pattern from dug well zone to bore well zone has produced few complexities. The impact of geogenic contamination in drinking water sector has increased a lot though the threat of pathogenic contamination has reduced due to adoption of hand pump and borewells. There is a need of proper assessment of available groundwater resources and its utilization and their future prospects. Macro and micro level delineation of potential aquifer systems, adoption of newer technology for proper groundwater resource development and conservation, provision of necessary opportunities of groundwater resource development, regulation and control of groundwater resources for judicious and scientific development, prevention of groundwater pollution and identification of areas suitable for artificial recharge and human resource development for sustainable groundwater resource management in the state is urgently required.