Haryana has emerged as one of the most groundwater-stressed regions in India, ranking third among major states in terms of overexploitation, according to data presented by the Central Ground Water Authority before the National Green Tribunal.
The data reveals that 88 assessment units in the state have been classified as “overexploited,” accounting for 61.5 per cent of its total groundwater blocks. Only Punjab and Rajasthan rank worse, with 75.1 per cent and 70.9 per cent of their groundwater units respectively falling into the overexploited category.
The issue came under scrutiny during a suo motu hearing by the tribunal, which highlighted serious lapses across states in addressing groundwater depletion. The NGT bench observed that authorities have failed to effectively curb illegal extraction and ensure adequate recharge measures, despite existing regulations and guidelines.
Implementation Gaps And Illegal Extraction Raise Concerns
The tribunal noted that while policies such as groundwater regulation guidelines issued by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and standard operating procedures by CGWA are in place, their implementation remains weak. In Haryana, the Haryana Water Resources (Conservation, Regulation and Management) Authority Act, 2020 restricts industrial groundwater use in overexploited zones and bans new water-intensive industries. However, enforcement gaps continue to undermine its effectiveness.
State authorities informed the tribunal that action has been taken against violators. By June 2025, around 1,850 show-cause notices were issued to industries, restaurants, dhabas, banquet halls and water plants for illegal extraction. Of these, several units complied, some shut down borewells voluntarily, and others faced sealing action. Environmental compensation amounting to ₹4.88 crore was also imposed.
Despite these efforts, the scale of violations indicates that groundwater misuse remains widespread and difficult to control.
NGT Orders Review And Expert Panel Formation
Taking note of the growing crisis, the tribunal has directed a comprehensive review of groundwater management practices across states. It stressed the need for strict enforcement of existing laws and urgent measures to restore groundwater levels, particularly in critically affected regions.
To address the issue, the NGT has constituted a five-member expert committee comprising representatives from the National Geophysical Research Institute, Geological Survey of India, the environment ministry, IIT Roorkee and CGWA. The panel has been tasked with identifying lapses, recommending corrective measures and suggesting both general and state-specific strategies for groundwater recharge.
The committee is expected to submit its report within three months, ahead of the next hearing scheduled in August 2026. Experts believe that without immediate and sustained intervention, groundwater depletion could pose serious risks to agriculture, urban water supply and overall environmental sustainability in states like Haryana.