Bemetara declared a Water-Scarce Zone from March 1 to June 30

BEMETARA,INDIA: To ensure adequate water availability during the summer, Collector Ranbir Sharma has declared Bemetara district a water-scarce zone under Section 3 of the Chhattisgarh Drinking Water Catchment Act, 1986 (Serial No. 3, 1987). The declaration will remain in effect from March 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025, or until the arrival of the monsoon, whichever is later.

During the period, new tubewell excavation will be prohibited without prior approval from the competent authority. However, the Public Health Engineering Department (PHE) will be permitted to excavate tubewells exclusively for drinking water supply in both urban and rural areas. Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats will also be allowed to dig tubewells within their respective limits, provided they report all new excavations to the designated authority.

To manage the drinking water situation, the following officers have been authorized to grant approvals for tubewell excavation, Additional District Magistrates (ADM), Bemetara will be responsible for areas under the Municipal Council jurisdiction. Subdivisional Officers (Revenue) of Bemetara, Saja, Berla, and Nawagarh will oversee permissions and enforcement in their respective areas.The district administration has urged residents to prioritize water conservation and avoid unnecessary water extraction to ensure sustainable use of resources.