21-Framework and Implementation of the West Bengal Groundwater Resources (Management, Control and Regulation) Act, 2005

Abstract

Since long, groundwater has received preference over surface water as source of irrigation as well as for use in domestic and industrial sector, due to several distinct features, like dependability on supply, wide aerial distribution, ease of availability in the proximity of place of use, natural availability in pure form, etc. However, this precious resource has often been wrongly regarded as an infinite and inexhaustible resource. As such, the important aspects relating to development of groundwater involving scientific management, conservation and augmentation of the resource have most often been a neglected affair.