Lok Sabha Question No. 2611 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-01
Subject: Study on Depletion in Ground Water Reserves
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2611

ANSWERED ON 01.12.2016

## STUDY ON DEPLETION IN GROUND WATER RESERVES

## 2611. SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

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

(a)  whether  the  National  Geophysical  Research  Institute  (NGRI)  has  undertaken  any  study  to  assess ground water reserves in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b)  the  percentage  of  run-off  water  from  monsoon  rains  which  is  harnessed  through  check-dams  for irrigation and improve ground water reserves in the country; and

(c)  the  quantum  and  percentage  of  monsoon  rain  water  being  drained  into  seas  every  year  and  the proposed action plan of the Government to fully utilize this water in the country?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR.  SANJEEV  KUMAR  BALYAN)

(a) As   per   the   information   received,   the   National   Geophysical   Research   Institute   (NGRI), Hyderabad   under   the   Council   of   Scientific   and   Industrial   Research   (CSIR)   has carried   out geophysical   studies  in  six  representative   geological  formations   in  the  Country  in  the  States  of Rajasthan,  Bihar,  Maharashtra,   Karnataka  and  Tamil  Nadu  using  advanced  technology  of  helibo rne geophysics  and  determined  the  detailed  model  for  aquifer  geometry  and  structure  delineating  the principal  aquifers  present  there.     Through  satellite  observations  and  models  estimates  of  water storages are also obtained.

NGRI  has  also  used  injected  tritium  tracer  technique  to  evaluate  dynamic  groundwater  reserves  in various  watersheds  and  basins  located  in  different  climatic  hydro-geological  provinces  during  the last 3 decades.

(b) The   percentage   of   run-off   from   monsoon   rainfall   harnessed   through   check   dams   is  not maintained  centrally.  However,  as  per  the  information  received,  NGRI  has  carried  out  experimental studies  in  percolation   tanks  and  check  dams  located  in  hard  rock  granite  and  basalt  terrain  of southern  and  central  India  through  tracer,  isotope  and  hydro-geological  techniques.    The  studies demonstrate  that  the  recharge   potential   is   30-40  %  of  the  total  water  harnessed  in  the  storage structures.

(c) According   to  Central   Water  Commission,   the  estimated   run-off  to  sea  can  be  considered approximately  as 1174  BCM.

Water  being  a  State  subject,  steps  for  augmentation,  conservation  and  efficient  management  to ensure  sustainability    of  water  resources  are  undertaken  by  the  respective  State  Governments.  State Governments  conceive,  plan  and  implement   major,  medium  and  minor  schemes  (both  surface  and ground  water)  for  utilization  of  water  resources.  However,  various  steps taken  by the  Government  to utilize this  water are as follows:

- The  National    Water  Policy    (2012)    formulated  by  Ministry  of  Water  Resources,  RD &  GR,  inter-alia, advocates conservation,    promotion and protection of water including  the  need  for  optimum  utilization  of  available  water,  enhancing  water  use efficiency,  water  harvesting,    water  shed  development    and  revival  of  water  bodies. The  National  Water Policy   (2012)   has   been   forwarded   to   all   State   Governments/ UTs   and   concerned Ministries/  Departments  of Central Government for adoption
- Further,    Government    of    India    has    formulated    a    National    Perspective    Plan    for Water Resources  Development  which  envisages  transfer  of  water  from  surplus  basins to  water deficit basins.
- The    Department      of    Rural    Development    has    prioritized      work    related    with Natural  Resources  Management  (including  water  harvesting)  under  MGNREGA  and has  issued  a  joint    framework      with    the    Ministry    of    Water    Resources    and Department   of   Land Resources.   For FY 2016-17,  the States have taken up a target of 8,82,325 farm ponds.
- 1,44,876   Check  Dams  have  been  constructed  under  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural Employment    Guarantee    Act    (MGNREGA)    from    2013-14.    In  addition    to  above, 7108  check  Dams  were  constructed from  2013-14  onwards  under  the  scheme  of NRDWP (National   Rural   Drinking   Water   Programme)   of   Ministry   of   Drinking Water   and Sanitation
- CGWB  has also prepared    a   conceptual   document   on  "Master   Plan   for   Artificial Recharge  to  Ground  Water  in  India"  in  the  year  2002,  which  was subsequently  revised in the  year  2013,  which  envisages  construction  of  different  types  of  artificial  recharge and  rainwater harvesting structures in the Country.  The Master Plan envisages constructionof 1.11 crore  rain  water  harvesting  and  artificial  recharge  structures  in  the Country  at  an  estimated   cost  of  Rs.  79,178  Crore  to  harness  85  BCM  (Billion  Cubic Meter)  of  water.  The  Master  Plan  has  been  circulated  to  all  State  Governments  for implementation.

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