In a bid to tackle to regulate and conserve ground water resources, the UP government has drafted the UP Ground Water Conservation, Protection & Development (Management, Control and Regulation) Bill 2010. Suggestions are being invited from the common man to make it more effective.

The ground water situation is fast deteriorating in the state. In the past four years, the areas under stress have almost doubled. In comparison to 138 blocks in 40 districts of UP under stress in 2004, the tentative figure of the blocks under stress has touched 218 blocks in around 60 districts as per the survey done by Groundwater Board in 2008.

But now, in a bid to tackle to regulate and conserve ground water resources, the state government has drafted the UP Ground Water Conservation, Protection & Development (Management, Control and Regulation) Bill 2010. The Bill was pending since 2005 and has now moved a step towards implementation. Chief secretary A K Gupta uploaded the draft of the proposed Bill on the groundwater department website on Thursday with an aim to invite suggestions and objections from the common man to make it more effective.

People can submit their reactions through email on up.gwd@rediffmail.com or in writing through post addressed to director groundwater department, Indira Bhawan, Ashok Marg, within 45 days, that is, by July 5, 2010. The decline in ground water levels in many parts of the state has been due to uncontrolled and rapid extraction of ground water. Ground water is necessary for the development of the economy, its protection and management, he added.

Read More on: The Times Of India