A report by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), in collaboration with Vruksha Samwardhan Samithi, has revealed a severe decline in Nagpur’s wells. The Environmental Status Report highlights that over 50% of the city’s wells are either abandoned or contaminated, raising serious concerns about groundwater depletion and water scarcity.
The survey covered 666 wells, of which 230 were abandoned and 36 were contaminated with sewage and solid waste. Only 30 wells remain in use for drinking water, signaling an urgent need for conservation efforts.
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), responsible for maintaining the city’s water bodies, has been urged to take immediate action. Experts emphasize that strict waste disposal policies, prevention of further contamination, and restoration of abandoned wells are necessary for groundwater recharge.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) have repeatedly stressed the need to protect traditional water sources. In 2019, the NGT directed municipal bodies to prevent dumping in wells and restore them for groundwater recharge. The Supreme Court of India, in MC Mehta vs. Union of India, reinforced penalties for groundwater pollution.
Environmental activist Baba Deshpande warned, “We are losing our traditional water sources. If we don’t act now, future generations will face severe water shortages.”
With increasing water shortages in Nagpur, urgent steps are needed to desilt, treat, and conserve the city’s wells before these vital groundwater sources are lost forever.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com