**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti regarding the decline in groundwater levels in Madhya Pradesh, specifically addressing a question about over-exploited blocks of Chhindwara Lok Sabha Constituency. The data presented compares groundwater levels recorded in November 2025 to the decadal mean levels of November months from 2015 to 2024. The answer was provided on February 12, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Groundwater Monitoring:**
* The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) monitors groundwater levels throughout the country, including Madhya Pradesh, regularly.
* **Groundwater Level Analysis (Madhya Pradesh):**
* 82.8% of analyzed wells in Madhya Pradesh showed a rise in groundwater level when comparing November 2025 data to the decadal mean.
* In 26 Over-Exploited assessment units of Madhya Pradesh, 79.2% of wells showed a rise in groundwater levels in November 2025.
* **Chhindwara Lok Sabha Constituency:**
* According to CGWB's 2025 assessment, there are no Over-Exploited Assessment Units (Blocks) in Chhindwara Lok Sabha Constituency.
* 93.3% of wells monitored in Chhindwara Lok Sabha Constituency showed a rise in groundwater levels compared to the decadal mean.
* **Groundwater Stress Factors:**
* Despite overall improvement, some areas may experience groundwater stress due to:
* Large-scale cultivation of water-intensive crops.
* Inefficient irrigation methods.
* Inadequate availability/development of surface water sources.
* Lack of community awareness/ownership regarding sustainable management of ground water resources.
* Increased population burden.
* Rapid industrialization & urbanization.
* Climate change.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Shri Bunty Vivek Sahu (Questioner)**
* **Impact:** Receives information regarding the status of groundwater levels in Madhya Pradesh, particularly in the Chhindwara Lok Sabha Constituency.
* **Action Required:** No specific action required based on the document. This is an informational response to a question.
**Stakeholder: Residents of Madhya Pradesh and Chhindwara Lok Sabha Constituency**
* **Impact:** Receives information on the overall groundwater trends in the region. This can inform water usage and conservation efforts.
* **Action Required:** Promote responsible water management practices.
**Stakeholder: Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)**
* **Impact:** The document highlights their role in monitoring groundwater levels and conducting assessments.
* **Action Required:** Continue monitoring and providing updated assessments of groundwater resources.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Jal Shakti**
* **Impact:** The document reflects the Ministry's oversight of groundwater management through the CGWB.
* **Action Required:** Develop and implement policies to address the factors contributing to groundwater stress.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The primary government ministry responsible for addressing groundwater levels, as indicated by the question.
Madhya Pradesh: The specific state where the decline in groundwater level is being investigated.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): The agency responsible for monitoring groundwater levels in the country, including Madhya Pradesh.
Chhindwara Lok Sabha Constituency: A specific constituency within Madhya Pradesh where groundwater decline is of particular concern.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2298
ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026
DECLINE IN GROUNDWATER LEVEL IN MADHYA PRADESH
†2298. SHRI BUNTY VIVEK SAHU:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether recent assessments have shown further decline in groundwater level in Madhya Pradesh,
particularly in significant and over-exploited blocks of Chhindwara Lok Sabha Constituency; and
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the trend of such decline and the main reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a & b) The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under this Ministry monitors ground water levels
throughout the country, including in the State of Madhya Pradesh on a regular basis.
To assess long-term groundwater level fluctuations in the State of Madhya Pradesh, particularly in
Over-Exploited assessment units, groundwater levels recorded in November 2025 (post monsoon 2025)
were compared with the decadal mean levels of November months (from 2015 to 2024). The analysis
indicates that about 82.8% of the analyzed wells in the state of Madhya Pradesh have registered a rise in
groundwater level. Further, out of the wells located in 26 Over-Exploited assessment units of Madhya
Pradesh, 79.2% wells have shown rise as in November 2025, as compared to the decadal mean. It is also to
add that as per CGWB’s latest dynamic ground water resource assessment of 2025, there are no Over-
Exploited Assessment Units (Blocks) in Chhindwara Lok Sabha Constituency. However, 93.3% wells
monitored in the constituency have shown rise compared to decadal mean.
Although the overall ground water situation in the country, including in the State of Madhya Pradesh
has shown steady improvement over the years, some pockets may be experiencing ground water stress
owing to factors like large-scale cultivation of water intensive crops coupled with inefficient irrigation
methods, inadequate availability/development of surface water sources, lack of community
awareness/ownership regarding sustainable management of ground water resources, increased population
burden, rapid industrialization & urbanization, climate change etc.
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