The groundwater level at many areas of Nedumkandam and Kattappana in the high ranges has dipped considerably because of indiscriminate sinking of borewells.
An official of the Department of Groundwater told The Hindu that though there was a strict ban on sinking borewells in areas above 150 metres (limiting four-inch width) in the high ranges, several rules were being flouted by plantations for irrigation.
Borewells are being sunk for commercial purposes too without official permission. Unauthorised sinking of borewells pushes down water in the nearby wells and ponds as well.
Karunapuram grama panchayat, bordering Tamil Nadu in Nedumkandam block, has the largest number of borewells in the State. Local people sink new, deeper borewells when the one they have dries up.
In Karunapuram and on the entire stretch including Ramakkalmedu, the number of borewells has shot up. In this rain shadow area, rainfall is so scarce that groundwater recharging is practically nil. According to the official, the groundwater level can be maintained only with natural recharging during monsoon.
Pointless exercise
Digging borewells in areas above 150 metres was pointless as there was little chance of water availability in the area, the official said. To maintain water level, water should be allowed to seep in nearby wells and ponds.
Cardamom and tea plantations sink borewells, mainly for irrigation during summer. Though permission from the Department of Groundwater is mandatory for digging borewells, it is seldom taken.
Therefore, the department was not sure of the exact number of borewells in the two blocks, said the official. Estate managements dig borewells inside the plantations and hide them from public.
The official said there was no ban on sinking borewells for household needs. However, rules are not adhered to and borewells are sunk by unauthorised firms. Borewell units tell people that water will be found if the wells are dug deeper.
This is one reason for violating the 150-metre limit norm. Many sink borewells after taking permission from the grama panchayat, citing construction purpose.
The guideline that borewells should not be dug within 30 metres of public wells and ponds too is flouted. This has resulted in depletion of water level in sources used by the public.
