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Lucknow's Water Crisis: NGT Demands Pond Demarcation Amid 160-Ft Groundwater Dip

The National Green Tribunal is cracking down on Lucknow's water management. It has ordered authorities to clearly map out the city's ponds within six weeks. This action comes after shocking reports showed the groundwater level has plunged by 160 feet in just ten years. The tribunal is pushing for real action, as previous conservation plans were found to exist only on paper.

Key Points: NGT Directs Lucknow Authorities to Demarcate Ponds in 6 Weeks

  • NGT bench grants six weeks to LDA and CPCB for pond demarcation based on revenue records
  • Hearing follows a suo motu case triggered by alarming reports of a 160-ft groundwater drop
  • CGWB's block-wise management plan for Lucknow suggests artificial recharge and conservation
  • Tribunal had earlier noted city's rainwater harvesting schemes had "failed miserably" on paper
2 min read

NGT directs pond demarcation amid alarming groundwater dip in Lucknow

NGT gives Lucknow 6 weeks to demarcate ponds after a report reveals groundwater has dropped by 160 feet in a decade, highlighting a severe water crisis.

"groundwater, which was available at a depth of 80 feet around ten years ago, is now found at nearly 240 feet. - Media Report"

New Delhi, Dec 21

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given authorities in Lucknow six weeks to demarcate ponds in the UP capital based on revenue records.

A bench, headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, allowed a joint request made by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) seeking adjournment to enable them to carry out the demarcation exercise.

The green tribunal directed that the exercise be completed within six weeks and a report be submitted along with an affidavit, and listed the matter for further hearing on March 12, 2026.

The bench, also comprising Expert Member Dr A. Senthil Vel, was hearing a suo motu case registered following a news report highlighting that in Lucknow, the groundwater table has dropped by as much as 160 feet over the past decade.

The media report stated that in areas such as Azad Nagar of Geetapalli, groundwater, which was available at a depth of 80 feet around ten years ago, is now found at nearly 240 feet.

Earlier, the NGT had sought a status report on the implementation of the block-wise groundwater management plan prepared by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) for Lucknow.

In that hearing, the District Magistrate and the Municipal Commissioner of Lucknow had sought time to place on record details of water bodies falling within the territorial jurisdiction of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation, the extent of encroachments on them, and their present condition.

The Central Ground Water Authority had also informed the green tribunal that a National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) study was conducted in Lucknow district in 2021.

Based on this study, the CGWB prepared block-wise management plans, suggesting measures such as artificial recharge, water conservation, and improved water-use efficiency to check the further decline of groundwater.

In May 2024, the NGT had taken note of a press report stating that rainwater harvesting schemes of the Municipal Corporation and the Lucknow Development Authority existed only on paper and had "failed miserably", with most apartments lacking proper facilities to store rainwater.

Observing that the news article raised substantial issues under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the green tribunal had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and issued notice to the authorities.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Six weeks to demarcate based on existing records? Shouldn't that data already be with the authorities? This shows how poorly managed our urban planning is. The plans exist "only on paper" – a phrase we hear too often. Accountability is missing.
P
Priya S
My parents live in Lucknow and have to rely on expensive water tankers. It's a daily struggle. Artificial recharge and conservation sound good, but will they be implemented? Or will this be another report that gathers dust? Action on the ground is what matters.
V
Vikram M
The NAQUIM study was done in 2021. It's 2025 now. What was done in these 4 years? The pace is too slow for an emergency. Every apartment builder must be forced to install functional rainwater harvesting, not just show it on paper.
R
Rohit P
Good move by NGT. Ponds are our natural water banks. In my village near Lucknow, we revived a small pond and it helped the water level. The city needs this on a large scale. Public participation is also key alongside government orders.
M
Michael C
Respectfully, while directives are important, the core issue is unsustainable urban expansion and lack of water governance. Demarcation is a technical step. The real challenge is political will to remove encroachments, often owned by influential people.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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