NOIDA: The National Green Tribunal on Monday directed the Central Ground Water Board to check the depletion of groundwater across the country, especially in places like the national capital region where largescale construction activities are currently on. The depletion is caused by over-extraction from borewells combined with insufficient recharge of underground water or lack of adequate rain water harvesting, said experts. India alone consumes world’s 25% groundwater, they added.In fact, cities which are arid and in heavy need for water are increasingly falling back on groundwater. As per estimates shared by the groundwater authorities of Gautam Budh Nagar, the water level of Noida and Greater Noida is dropping each year by an alarming rate of 1.5 metres in most parts as compared to about 1 metre per year five years ago.“Most borewells have already over-extracted water. With the Ganga water supply disrupted often, there is an increased pressure on borewells. This has been brought to the notice of the NGT on Monday,” said environmentalist Vikrant Tongad, who filed the petition.

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