Chapter 2 - Kerala Govt Logo

Environmental Assessment ReportKerala Local Government Strengthening ProjectMaintaining a River Management Fund by the District Collector with contributions from theLSGs to the tune of 50% of the amount collected from the sale of sandEntrusting Mining & Geology Dept for issuing passes and conditions thereupon.Penalty for contravention to the tune of imprisonment for a period extending up to 2 yearsor fine extending up to Rs.25,000/- or both with additional fine extending to Rs.1,000/- forevery day during which the contravention continuesPenalty for abetment of offences and confiscation of vehicles for transporting sand withoutcomplianceStipulating powers of the government to make rules, conduct inspection, periodicalmeasurement of the sand available for removal2.3.2.6. The Kerala Groundwater (Control & Regulation) Act 2002The Kerala Groundwater (Control & Regulation) Act 2002 came into existence on 16-03-2004vide G.P.(P)No. 17/2004/WRD to provide for the conservation of groundwater and for theregulation and control of its extraction and use in the State of Kerala. It is also for regulatingthe tendency of indiscriminate extraction of groundwater which result in undesiredenvironmental problems in such areas.The Act provides for notifying areas for the control and regulation of groundwaterdevelopment. Accordingly out of 152 blocks in the State, 5 blocks have been categorized asoverexploited. They are Athiyannur, Kodungalloor, Chittoor, Kozhikode and Kasargod. Thecategorization is based on the norms prepared by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB)according to the state of development. State of development is the percentage of total draftfor all uses in MCM divided by the net groundwater availability in MCM. Fifteen blocks aredeclared as 'critical' and thirty blocks comes under 'semi critical' category. This indicates thegrave necessity to control and conserve available groundwater resources.The Act provides the Government may if satisfied on the recommendation of the authority,that it is necessary in the public interest to regulate the extraction or use of groundwater ofany area, declare by notification in the Gazette such area as notified area, with effect fromsuch date as may be specified therein.Any person desiring to dig a well or convert the existing well into a pumping well, for his ownor social purpose in the notified area, shall submit an application before the authority for thegrant of a permit for the purpose and shall not proceed with any activity connected with suchdigging or conversion unless a permit has been granted by the authority. The Act also providesfor the registration of the existing wells in the notified area in the State. The Act also providesfor the registration of user of groundwater For this purpose all open wells fitted with 1. 5 HPor more and all bore wells with 3 HP or more are to be registered under the authority.The powers of the Groundwater Authority are as follows:(i) the authority shall have the power to enter any property and to measure the quantityof water located on the surface of earth or under the earth.(ii) To inspect any well which is dug or being dug and the soil and other materialsexcavated there from.70