- 'Seek strict rules, permission before operation'
JAMMU: Environmentalist Puneet Jamwal has expressed serious concern over rampant borehole drills for residential and commercial propose across Jammu and sought government’s intervention to regulate drilling through implementation of rules and permission before any operations. Expressing concern over decreasing the ground water level due to rampant boreholes for commercial and residential uses, Jamwal said that to regulate groundwater extraction and protect the environment from any further degradation, the government should strictly impose rules and go tough on violators, who are operating the bores without orbiting permit and required no objections certificates.
Citing the report of the environment ministry, Jamwal said that it has been noticed that ground water level is decreasing day by day which is a major concern for all. The major cause of groundwater decrease is attributed to massive drilling of illegal borewells. Experts say this could adversely impact the groundwater table. Lack of regulation might also encourage more indiscriminate drilling. Poor monitoring will lead to groundwater exploitation, which could have grave effects, they warn.