Clearance for extraction of ground Water
What is Approval of Clearance for extraction of ground Water
Approval of clearance for the extraction of groundwater is a regulatory process through which industries, infrastructure projects, and other commercial or large-scale users must obtain permission before using groundwater resources. This approval is primarily governed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to ensure sustainable and responsible usage of groundwater. With the growing demand and over-extraction of this vital resource, the clearance helps prevent environmental degradation, depletion of water tables, and ecological imbalance. Entities seeking to extract groundwater must apply through the official NOCAP portal, submitting detailed information about their water usage, rainwater harvesting plans, and environmental impact. Upon review and inspection, if the proposed usage meets the sustainability guidelines, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is issued. The approval is typically valid for a limited period, such as two to three years, and must be renewed as per regulations. Operating without this clearance can lead to strict penalties, including fines, project shutdowns, or legal action. This process ensures that groundwater extraction is monitored and managed in a way that protects future water availability and environmental health.
Who Can Apply for This Certificate?
The certificate for extraction of groundwater (commonly referred to as a No Objection Certificate – NOC) can be applied for by any entity that intends to use groundwater for purposes other than individual domestic use. This includes:
- Industries
- Manufacturing units (textile, chemical, pharmaceutical, etc.)
- Food and beverage processing plants
- Distilleries and breweries
- Any factory requiring groundwater for production processes or cooling
- Infrastructure Projects
- Residential townships, housing societies, and commercial complexes
- Malls, IT parks, hotels, and hospitals
- Airports, railway stations, bus terminals
- Mining Projects
- Companies involved in mining operations, as groundwater may be impacted or required during mining activities
- Agricultural & Horticultural Projects
- Large-scale farms, nurseries, or plantations that require significant amounts of groundwater
- Not typically required for small individual farmers, but applicable for commercial-scale agriculture
- Government Institutions and Bodies
- Municipalities and government departments requiring groundwater for official or public projects
- Water Bottling & Packaged Drinking Water Plants
- Units that draw groundwater for packaging and selling drinking water
Documents Required for This License
- Proof of land ownership / lease agreement
- Project report / detailed proposal
- Water balance or water use justification report
- Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge plan
- Location plan / site layout map
- Authorization letter (if applicable)
- PAN card / GST registration / company incorporation certificate
- Environmental clearance certificate (if applicable)
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Act and Rules
Role of Shamkris and Process of Clearance for extraction of ground Water.
Shamkris adopts a results-oriented approach to ensuring compliance with the mandatory requirements for obtaining the Application. With a simple and guided methodology, Shamkris helps organizations achieve the necessary application in a timely and cost-effective manner. Shamkris offers 100% support in advisory, guidance, and compliance, ensuring smooth processing for obtaining the application.
The Application acquisition process described below:
Advisory for the document required
Preparation of documents as per application & list of documents.
Certificate File
Inspection by the department if required
Certificate department
Certificate issued
Yearly Compliance if Applicable
Renewal when due
Who can issue theClearance for extraction of ground Water
FAQ
It is a certificate issued by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) or State Ground Water Authorities that grants permission to extract groundwater for commercial, industrial, infrastructure, or large-scale agricultural purposes.
Any individual, organization, or company extracting groundwater for non-domestic use such as industries, infrastructure projects, mining, agriculture (large-scale), and packaged drinking water units must apply for the clearance.
Is the clearance required for household/domestic use?
Applications must be submitted online through the NOCAP Portal: https://nocap.cgwa-noc.gov.in, along with required documents such as water requirement details, project reports, and rainwater harvesting plans.
Key documents include:
- Project report
- Site ownership/lease documents
- Water balance and usage report
- Rainwater harvesting and recharge plan
- Environment clearance (if applicable)
- The NOC is typically valid for 2 to 3 years, depending on the water consumption category and location (critical, semi-critical, safe zones).
Yes, applicants must apply for renewal before the expiry of the current NOC by submitting updated data and proof of compliance.
Illegal extraction may lead to penalties, project suspension, fines, or legal action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Yes, especially for new applicants and projects in over-exploited or critical areas. It is a key compliance requirement for groundwater recharge.
The process is regulated by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and, in some states, by their respective State Ground Water Authorities.