Arteev Sharma
Jammu: The UT administration of Ladakh has prohibited the digging of new borewells to regulate groundwater usage after nine areas in Leh district, including Leh town, were classified as “semi-critical” for groundwater extraction in the Central Ground Water Board’s “Ground Water Resources Estimation Report.”
The identified ‘semi-critical’ areas include Gompa Gangless, Sankar Yourtung, Leh, Skara, Choglamsar, Saboo, Spituk, Phey, and Phyang. The authorities have warned that further extraction in these zones could lead to a “critical situation” regarding groundwater availability, jeopardizing the region’s water security.
An order issued by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department of Ladakh has thrown light on the growing reliance on groundwater in some areas of Leh district due to “limited water resources, over-exploitation, and the urgent need for scientific management, conservation and regulation of the ground water resources”.
“Ladakh is an arid to semi-arid region with limited water resources, and most of the water sources are seasonal such as glacial, and permafrost melt water and the visible effects of climate change, in the form of decrease in snowfall, thinning glaciers, retreating glacial lakes and streams have been witnessed in the region,” it stated while giving background of the decision on banning the digging of new borewells in the region.
The order also noted that rapid urbanization, a growing tourism sector, and an influx of migrant populations, including traders and laborers, have increased water demand in the region. “Increased economic activities further strain the region’s water resources, with additional requirements emerging from domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and recreational uses,” it stated while sending a note of caution about the serious challenges to water security in future.
Citing the Central Ground Water Board’s report and directives from the Central Ground Water Authority and Green Tribunal, the UT administration has been tasked with monitoring groundwater extraction and reporting illegal borewells by December 20, 2024.
Additionally, the UT administration has also been directed for Environmental Compensation (EC) as per MoJS guidelines be imposed on the illegal ground water withdrawal by Housing Complexes, Industrial Units, commercial establishment and several other entities, till the EC provision is being incorporated in the state ground water authority guidelines”.
Starting December 1, 2024, digging new borewells in the nine semi-critical areas of Leh district will be strictly prohibited under the Jammu & Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation & Management) Act, 2010.
In September last year, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig (Dr) B.D Mishra (retd) had candidly admitted that the “biggest worry” of the UT administration was to ensure that the next generation should get drinking water.
“Our biggest worry is that in the coming days, the next generation should get drinking and potable water. The way water level is going down or depleting in Ladakh, we are facing shortage of water. Temperature is rising and glaciers are melting. This is really a matter of cause for us,” he had said.
