GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT & REGULATION
- Central Ground Water Authority has been constituted under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control development and management of ground water resources in the country.
- It is regulating withdrawal of ground water by industries/projects in 839 over-exploited and 226 Critical Assessment Units.
- The States of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Union Territories of Lakshadweep, Chandigarh, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Puducherry have enacted and implemented ground water legislation.
FLOOD FORECASTING
- Central Sector Scheme, namely ‘Flood Forecasting’ was prepared by amalgamating two on-going schemes of Xth Plan, namely, “Establishment and Modernization of Flood Forecasting Network in India including Inflow Forecast” and “Strengthening and Modernization of Flood Forecasting and Hydrological observation Network in the Brahmaputra and Barak Basin.”
INTER—STATE RIVER WATER DISPUTES ACT, 1956
- It was originally enacted by the Parliament in 1956 for adjudication of disputes relating to water of Inter-State rivers and river valleys.
- In view of the Sarkaria Commission recommendations, the said Act has been amended and came into force from 6th August, 2002.
- The amendments include time frame for constitution of the Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunals and prescribes time limit for the Tribunals to give their awards.
- As per the amendment, Central Government will have to constitute a Tribunal within a period of 1 year from the date of receipt of a request from any State Government.
- Also, the award of the Tribunal shall have the same force as an order or decree of Supreme Court.
| Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal | Setup in 1990 to adjudicate the water dispute regarding inter-State river Cauvery and the river valley thereof. |
| Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal | Constituted in 2004 for adjudication of the dispute relating to sharing of waters of Inter-State river Krishna and river valleys thereof. |
| Van Sadhara Water Disputes Tribunal
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Notified in 2010 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice B.N. Agrawal with Justice Nirmal Singh and Justice B.N. Chaturvedi as its Members.
Justice B.N Agrawal resigned and Government nominated Dr. Justice Mukundakam Sharma as Chairman of the Tribunal. |
| Mahadayi/Mandovi River Water Disputes | Setup in 2010 with Justice JTM Panchal, as Chairman with Justice Vinay Mittal and Justice RS. Narayana, as Members. |
| Ravi & Beas Water Tribunal | Setup in 1986 had submitted its report in 1987. |
