Srinagar: Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra, on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Union Territory Level Coordination Committee (UTLC) to review the assessment of groundwater resource potential in Jammu and Kashmir for 2026.
The meeting, convened by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), marked the commencement of the annual Groundwater Resource Assessment (GWRA-2026) exercise and reviewed ongoing initiatives related to groundwater management across the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Central Ground Water Board, Secretary Technical Jal Shakti Department Manoj Gupta, Chief Engineers of Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation & Flood Control Departments, besides representatives of stakeholder departments.
Detailed discussions were held on groundwater resource assessment, inter-departmental coordination, data sharing and implementation of the National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM).
The Committee reviewed the roadmap for assessment of dynamic groundwater resources across 149 assessment units in Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the importance of timely sharing, validation and integration of data by all concerned departments to ensure accurate and scientific assessment.
During the meeting, Shaleen Kabra released two key publications of the Central Ground Water Board — National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India – 2025 and Dynamic Ground Water Resources of Jammu & Kashmir – 2025.
The reports provide updated information on groundwater availability, extraction patterns and sustainability parameters, and are expected to serve as important reference documents for evidence-based planning, conservation and sustainable management of water resources in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting also reviewed findings of aquifer management studies conducted in parts of Kathua district. Discussions were held on proposed NAQUIM studies in the Jammu Urban Agglomeration and selected areas of Anantnag and Rajouri districts to strengthen scientific understanding of groundwater systems and improve conservation strategies.
Addressing the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary emphasised the importance of scientific groundwater assessment, coordinated efforts among departments and adoption of sustainable management practices to safeguard water resources and ensure long-term water security for future generations.
He stressed that effective planning and conservation measures are essential for maintaining the sustainability of groundwater resources in the Union Territory.
