Lok Sabha Question No. 1963 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-27
Subject: Water Crisis and Rain Water Harvesting
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 1963

ANSWERED ON 27 .0 7.201 7

## WATER CRISIS AND RAI N WATER HARVESTING

## 1963. SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state the steps taken by the Government with regard to preven water crisis and also to have rain water harvesting all over the country?

## ANSWER

## THE    MINISTER OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES, RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION

## ( DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BA LYAN )

Steps taken by the Government to prevent water crisis and promote rain water harvestin follows:

- The National Water Policy (2012) formulated by Mi nistry of Water Resources, RD & GR, inter - alia, advocates conservation, promotion and protection of water and highlights for augmenting the availability of water through rain water harvesting, direct use and other management measures. The National Water Policy (2012) has been forwarded to al State  Governments/UTs  including  Raja sthan  and  concerned  Ministries/ Departments  of Central Government for adoption.
- Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has prepared a conceptual document entitled 'Mas ter Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India' during 2013, involving ground water scientists/experts.  The Master Plan envisages construction of 1.11 crore rain water and artificial recharge structures in the Country at an estimated cost of Rs.79,178 crores to harness 85 BCM (Billion Cubic Metre) of water.
- Central  Ground  Water  Authority  (CGWA)  has  been  constituted  under  'The  Environment (Protection) Act, 1986'  for the purpose of regulation and control of  ground  water development an d management in the Country.  So far, CGWA has notified 162 areas in Country including 35 in Rajasthan for the purpose of regulation of ground water.
- CGWA has issued advisories to States and UTs to take measures to promote/adopt arti recharge to ground water/rainwater harvesting.  30 States/UTs including Rajasthan have rainwater harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulation including provisions in building bye - laws or through suitable Government Orders.

- This  Ministry  has  circulated  a  Model  Bill  to  all  the  States/UTs  to  enable  them suitable ground water legislation for its regulation and development which includes of rain water harvesting.  So far, 15 States/UTs have adopte d and implemented the ground water legislation on the lines of Model bill.
- CGWB has taken up Aquifer Mapping and Management programme (NAQUIM) during XII Plan, under the scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation. The Aquifer Mappin is  aimed  to  deli neate  aquifer  disposition  and  their  characterization  for  preparat aquifer/area specific ground water management plans, with community participation. 6.31 lakh sq.km has been covered under NAQUIM in the entire country including 1.43 sq.km in Rajasthan.
- The Ministry of Rural Development in consultation and agreement with the Ministry of Resources, RD & GR and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare has developed an actionable  framework  for  Natural  Resources  Management  (NRM ),  ti tled  'Mission  Water Conservation'  to  ensure  gainful  utilization  of  funds.    The  Framework  strives  to  ensure synergies  in  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Emplyoment  Gandhi  Scheme  (MGNREGS), Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana  (PMKSY),  Integrated  Watershed  M anagement Programme (IWMP) and Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD&WM), given  their  common  objectives.    Types  of  common  works  undertaken  under  the programmes/schemes  are  water  conservation  and  management,  water  harvesting,  soil moisture conservation, groundwater recharge, flood protection, land development, Comm Area Development & Watershed Management.
- Department  of  Land  Resources  is  currently  implementing  8214  watershed  developme projects  in  28  States  covering  an  area  of  about  39.07 million  ha.  under  the  Watershed Development Component (WDC) of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) principally  for  development  of  rainfed  portions  of  net  cultivated  area  and  c wastelands. The major activities taken up under the WDC - PMKSY, inter - alia, include ridge area  treatment,  drainage  line  afforestation,  soil  and  moisture  conservation,  r harvesting, horticulture, and pasture development etc.
- The  Ministry  of  Drinking  Water  &  Sanitation  has  suggested  all  States  to  adopt water conservation measures like roof top rainwater harvesting, erecting sustainability st water conservation etc. For creating such sustainability structures, 10 % of Nati Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) funds are provided to the St ates.

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