Lok Sabha Question No. 260 (STARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Per Capital Availability of Water
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: SANJAY JAISWAL

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *260

ANSWERED ON 04 . 01.2018

## PER CAPITAL AVAILABI LITY OF WATER

| *260.                                                                                                             | DR. SANJAY JAISWAL   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|
| Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:               |                      |
| (a) the per capita availability of water in the country at present;                                               |                      |
| (b) the reasons behind the decline of per capita availability of water, if any;                                   |                      |
| ANSWER                                                                                                            |                      |
| THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION, ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS AND SHIPPING |                      |
| ( SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GA DKARI )                                                                                    |                      |
| (a) to (c) A statement is laid on the table of the House.                                                         |                      |

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO*260  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  0 4.01.2018  REGARDING  'PER  CAPITA AVAILABILITY OF WATER'.

(a)& (b)The average annual water availability of any region or country is largely depen hydro- meteorological and geological factors and is generally constant. As per National Co on Integrated Water Resources Development (NCIWRD) report, the total water availability of India received  through  precipitation  is  about  4000  Billion  Cubic  Meter  (BCM)  per  annum. evaporation, 1869 BCM water is available as natural runoff. Due to geological and other utilizable water availability is limite d to 1137 BCM per annum comprising 690 BCM of surface water and 447 BCM of replenshiable ground water. Th  average annual per capita availability of water years 2001 and 2011 was assessed as 1820 cubic meters and 1545 cubic meters respectively.

The  ave rage  annual  per  capita  water  availability  in  the  country  as  a  whole  is progressively due to increase in population.

(c) Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient man water resources to ensure susta inability and availability are primarily undertaken by the res State  Governments.  In  order  to  supplement  the  efforts  of  the  State  Governments,  the Government  provides  technical  and  financial  assistance  to  State  Governments  to  en susta inable development and efficient management of water resources through various schem programmes, such as Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).

The  National  Water  Policy  (2012)  formulated  by  Ministry  of  Water  Resources, Development an d Ganga Rejuvenation, inter - alia, advocates conservation, development and management  of  water  resources  and  highlights  the  need  for  augmenting  the  availability through rain water harvesting, recycle and reuse of waste water, use of efficient agric ultural practices and other management measures.

The Government of India has also formulated a National Perspective Plan for Water Re Development which envisages transfer of water from surplus basins to water deficit basins. -basin  transfer  proposals  envisage  additional  utiliz ation  of  available  water  to  bring  additional  a under irrigation.

Central  Ground  Water  Board  (CGWB)  under  this  Ministry  has  also  prepared  a  concep document entitled 'Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India' during 2013. The Master  Plan  envisages  construction  of  1.11  crore  rain  water  harvesting  and  artifici structures in the Country at an estimated cost of Rs. 79,178 Crores to harness 85 BCM of 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 Gov implementation.

CGWB has also undertaken Aquifer Mapping and Management programme during XII Plan, under the scheme of Groun d Water Management and Regulation. The Aquifer Mapping is aimed at delineating  aquifer  disposition  and  their  characterization  for  preparation  of  aquifer ground water management plans. These management plans will be shared with the respectiv State Governments for taking appropriate corrective measures.

CGWB has been organizing mass awareness programmes in the Country to promote rain wa harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water, including in urban areas.

Central  Ground  Water  Autho rity  (CGWA)  has  issued  advisories  to  States  and  UTs  to  ta measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge to ground water/rain water harvesting. 30 have made rain water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regul or by including provisions in Building bye - laws or through suitable Government Orders.