Lok Sabha Question No. 416 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-17
Subject: Compulsory Rain Water Harvesting
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: M. K. RAGHAVAN

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  †416 ANSWERED ON 17.11.2016

## COMPULSORY RAIN WATER HARVESTING

## 416. SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  any  steps  have  been  taken  by  the  Government  for  compulsory  harvesting  of  rain  water  in  the country;

(b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  scientific  assistances  extended  for  rapid  conservation  of  water harvesting including the amount spent and the total volume of water conserved during the last three years, Statewise;

(c) whether Kerala is expected to experience shortage of water for the 2016-17 period due to lack of rain; and (d) if so, the action being taken to ensure adequate water for drinking as well as agriculture purposes in the State along with the steps taken to increase the ground water level in the country?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

- (a) Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has issued advisories to the Chief Secretaries of all States and the Administrators of all UTs to take measures to promote/adopt rain water harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water.  30 States/UTs have made rain water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulations or by including provisions in Building bye-laws or through suitable Government Orders.

(b) Water being a State subject, necessary measures to conserve the water resources are being undertaken by the State Governments.  However, efforts made by the Central Government to conserve the ground water resources in the Country includes:

- The  National  Water  Policy  (2012)  formulated  by  Ministry  of  Water  Resources,  RD  &  GR,  inter-alia, advocates  conservation,  promotion  and  protection  of  water  and  highlights  the  need  for  augmenting  the availability of water through rain water harvesting, direct use of rainfall and other management measures. The  National  Water  Policy  (2012)  has  been  forwarded  to  all  State  Governments/  UTs  and  concerned Ministries/ Departments of Central Government for adoption of the policy.
- This Ministry has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation for its regulation and development which includes provision of rain water harvesting. So far, 15 States/UTs have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation on the lines of Model bill.

- CGWB has also prepared a conceptual document entitled 'Master 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  harvesting  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.  The augmented ground water resources will enhance the availability of water for drinking, domestic, industrial and irrigation purpose.  The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.
- The Department of Rural Development has prioritized work related with Natural Resources Management (including water harvesting) under MGNREGA and has issued a join framework with the Ministry of Water Resources and Department of Land Resources.  The framework stresses on utilizing the technical resources of  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchaai  Yojana  (PMKSY),  Integrated  Watershed  Management  Programme (IWMP) and Central Water Commission (CWC) along with use of GIS technology of ISRO for planning and monitoring purposes from FY 2017-18 onwards.  For FY 2016-17, the States have taken up a target of 8,82,325 farm ponds.
- CGWB has taken up Aquifer Mapping and Management programme during XII Plan, under the scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation.  The Aquifer Mapping is aimed to delineate aquifer disposition and  their  characterization  for  preparation  of  aquifer/area  specific  ground  water  management  plans  with community participation.
- CGWB has been organizing mass awareness programmes in the Country to promote rain water harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water.
- Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has also launched 'Jal Kranti Abhiyan' (2015-16 to 2017-18) in order to consolidate water conservation and management in the Country through  a  holistic  and  integrated  approach  involving  all  stakeholders,  making  it  a  mass  movement.    'Jal Gram  Yojana'  component  of  'Jal  Kranti  Abhiyan'  envisages  selection  of  two  villages  in  every  district, preferably 'over-exploited' or facing acute water scarcity, as 'Jal Grams' to ensure optimum and sustainable utilization of water.

(c)  & (d)  As per the information received from the State Government of Kerala, all 14 districts of the State have  been  declared  as  meteorologically  drought  affected.    The  State  Government  has  already  issued guidelines for ensuring drinking water to the public through kiosks, water tanks, de-siltation of water bodies and mass awareness programme for ground water conservation and recharge.  Further, the State Government has directed to cut down the ground water extraction of water based industries.

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