Ban on new borewells in 258 villages

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In a major step aimed at protecting rapidly depleting groundwater resources, the Andhra Pradesh government has imposed a complete ban on new borewell drilling in 258 villages spread across seven districts where groundwater levels have fallen to alarming levels.

The orders were issued by Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Special Chief Secretary Shashibhushan Kumar, prohibiting the drilling of new borewells for agricultural and commercial purposes in the identified villages. The government has, however, exempted hand-operated borewells meant exclusively for drinking water needs of local residents.

Along with restrictions on borewell drilling, the government has also banned sand mining activities in these vulnerable areas, citing concerns over further depletion of underground water reserves and environmental imbalance.

According to official assessments, groundwater exploitation in several mandals has crossed permissible limits. The highest number of affected villages were identified in Prakasam district with 91 villages, followed by Srikakulam with 76 villages. Palnadu district has 20 affected villages, Sri Sathya Sai district 39, Anantapur district 14, Kadapa district 10, and Chittoor district 8 villages.

Officials stated that the decision was taken after scientific evaluation revealed excessive extraction of groundwater beyond sustainable recharge capacity. The restrictions are aimed at preventing an even deeper water crisis in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of the state.

Meanwhile, the state government has also intensified preparations for the upcoming Kharif agricultural season. Agriculture Department Director Manazir Jilani held a video conference with district agriculture officers and instructed them to encourage farmers to begin cultivation earlier than usual this year.

The official said early crop cultivation would help farmers avoid potential damage from adverse weather conditions and natural calamities during harvest season. He also advised officials to prepare alternative crop plans for upland areas in anticipation of possible El Nino-related climatic disturbances.

Farmers have been asked to actively use digital platforms such as the Farmers App and monitor the AP AIMS app regularly for weather, irrigation and crop advisories. Officials noted that irrigation water from the Somashila and Kandaleru projects in Nellore and Tirupati districts has already been released earlier than last year, and authorities have been instructed to ensure paddy transplantation is completed by May 25.

The government believes that a combination of water conservation measures and scientific crop planning will help safeguard both agriculture and groundwater sustainability in the long run.