The NGT has asked the Centre not to give effect to its December notification on groundwater extraction as it has "serious shortcomings", and directed it to set up an expert panel for formulation of a policy on conservation of the natural resource.
Fast depletion of groundwater in recent years is a "cause of concern for human well being", it said. The National Green Tribunal has directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to set up an expert panel that includes representatives from IIT, IIM, CPCB and NITI Aayog to examine the issue of forming appropriate policy for conservation of ground water in the country.