In peak summer, groundwater levels in Pune remain stable.
Even with summer season currently at its peak, the groundwater situation in Pune region has not only remained stable, but also shown marked improvements in the last three months.
This encouraging trend is in contrast with other regions of the state where the number of wells showing significant fall in groundwater levels has crossed at least 50 per cent.
“This is an interesting trend and it is the outcome of water conservation measures initiated in the state,” I I Shah, additional director at GSDA, Pune, told The Indian Express.
GSDA authorities highlighted how the groundwater situation this year was far better than during the previous three years, all thanks to good monsoon in 2016.
While Konkan and Marathwada regions last year received excess rainfall, Madhya Maharashtra and Vidarbha regions reported normal rainfall during monsoon.
Reflecting the same in groundwater stock, in last March, there were 4,477 villages showing highest depletion levels; this year, there are only 325 wells in this category.
The water scenario in Konkan, Amravati and Nagpur regions continued to remain largely unchanged.
However, Shah had a word of caution on the current groundwater position.
He said, “Even though the situation this year is far better, one must refrain from misusing and drawing excess water from underground.”