The 151 Dhara I was stunned to see that in many of the states of India the issue is that of depleted ground water levels. These aquacultures have so much pampered themselves in abstracting groundwater for crop cultivation and other uses that water has gotten closest to zero level in many places. In this regard the government of India enacted the Model Bill for Conservation, Protection, Regulation and Management of Groundwater 2011, which is also known as the Model Groundwater Bill or the 151 Dhara.

What is the Meaning of the Term 151 Dhara?

The 151 Dhara is a groundwater management tool that seeks to control groundwater use and effectively address India’s sustainable use of water resources. It comprises 151 sections or ‘Dharas’ that guide states in establishing groundwater management laws. The bill also promotes a participatory and bottom-up approach to groundwater management through the gram panchayats, communities, and individuals.

Special Characters Of The 151 Dhara

Some key features of the Model Groundwater Bill include:

1. Recognition of groundwater as a common pool resource: The bill acknowledges that groundwater is a community asset which has to be worked sustainably at the aquifer level.
2. Bottom-up approach: It supports the sustainable utilization of water by water user associations and gram panchayats to manage the groundwater resources.
3. Groundwater security plans: The bill requires that groundwater security plans be developed for areas that experience depletion. These plans will determine the usage rates and establish allowable water usage while also identifying the measures that will be taken to conserve the resource.
4. Rainwater harvesting: The bill also ensures that all buildings have installed rainwater harvesting systems. It will assist in recharging the aquifers and improve the availability of water resources.
5. Monitoring groundwater levels: The knowledge base requires routine tests of groundwater and maintenance of a groundwater database. It allows the monitoring of the water table.
6. Regulating groundwater extraction: In this aspect, the framework outlines measures for controlling groundwater pumping by issuing permits to avoid overpumping.

Status of Implementation

The Model Groundwater Bill contains a complete list of provisions, but in practice, the enactment of this bill across the states is restrained. Up to 2022, only a few states have implemented their groundwater legislation based on the bill. At the same time, processes of adaptation and further implementation of the guidelines remain active in a range of states.

Challenges in Implementation

Several roadblocks are hampering effective implementation of the 151 Dhara by states.

Lack of reliable data: Some deficit areas include water table levels, aquifer distribution, and other hydrogeological data essential for effective groundwater management.

1. Weak institutional capacity: Most states are not technically well equipped regarding human resources to support groundwater regulation.
2. Poor monitoring: There is no well-developed system for routine groundwater monitoring and data sharing.
3. Resistance from farmers: The necessity of regulatory measures often faces problems as farmers are the most significant groundwater users.
4. Slow policy response: Unfortunately, most states have been reluctant to enact policies on groundwater and developed regulatory authorities owing to poor political will.

The Way Forward for The 151 Dhara

the 151 Dhara to achieve its objectives of sustainable groundwater management, concerted efforts are needed in the following areas.

1. Enhancing local institutional capacity for groundwater management.
2. Strengthening the existing infrastructure of the wells and Boreholes.
3. Initiating water conservation measures such as rainwater harvesting.
4. Providing incentives to farmers to use water in irrigation efficiently.
5. Creating consciousness about the appropriate application of water.
6. Lastly, Offering options for farmers to make a living and curb overreliance on groundwater.

Conclusion

The 151 Dhara gives a sound foundation. However, active implementation at the ground level, considering the state specifications, is a way to implement the guidelines. In India, therefore, groundwater regulation requires a decentralized, participatory model of development and management that includes communities and gram panchayats.