Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra, today chaired the meeting of the Union Territory Level Coordination Committee (UTLC) for assessment of groundwater resource potential in Jammu and Kashmir for the year 2026.
The meeting was organized by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) to initiate the annual Groundwater Resource Assessment (GWRA-2026) and review the ongoing groundwater management initiatives in the Union Territory.
During the meeting, a detailed PowerPoint Presentation was delivered by Pir Rayees Ahmad, Senior Scientist of CGWB, highlighting the activities of CGWB in J&K, along with various completed and ongoing studies related to groundwater assessment and management. Technical aspects concerning the groundwater resource evaluation, aquifer studies and sustainable management were discussed in detail and technical guidance was extended to UT Government departments by the CGWB officers.
During the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on groundwater resource assessment, inter-departmental 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 J&K and emphasized timely sharing and validation of data by all the stakeholder departments.
On the occasion, the ACS formally released two important publications of the Central Ground Water Board titled “National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India – 2025” and “Dynamic Ground Water Resources of Jammu & Kashmir – 2025”.
The reports provide an updated assessment of groundwater availability, utilization and sustainability besides will serve as important reference documents for scientific planning, groundwater conservation and sustainable water resource management in the Union Territory.
The meeting also reviewed the findings of aquifer management studies conducted in parts of Kathua district and discussed proposed NAQUIM studies in Jammu Urban Agglomeration and parts of Anantnag district and Rajouri district, aimed at strengthening the groundwater management and conservation in J&K.The report on Groundwater Resources Assessment of Jammu & Kashmir UT, prepared by CGWB, Jammu, was also formally released by the ACS in presence of Rakesh Rana and Pir Rayees Ahmad, Senior Scientists of the Central Ground Water Board, North Western Himalayan Region, Jammu.
The Additional Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of scientific groundwater assessment, coordinated inter-departmental action and adoption of sustainable groundwater management practices to ensure long-term water security in Jammu & Kashmir.
Various issues pertaining to groundwater management in the Union Territory were deliberated upon and suitable management plans and recommendations were presented by the officers of CGWB for sustainable utilization and conservation of groundwater resources.