Lok Sabha Question No. 1372 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Water Scarcity
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1372

ANSWERED ON 09.02.2017

## WATER SCARCITY

## 1372. ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

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

(a) whether the Government is aware that the country is going to become water scarce in another few years, if so, the details and the facts thereof;

- (b) whether the Government proposes to conduct any study on demand supply of water in the country; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to ensure that there will be no scarcity of water in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  The  average  annual  water  availability  of  any  region  or  country  is  largely  dependent  upon  hydrometeorological and geological factors and is generally constant. As per National Commission 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.  After  evaporation,  1869  BCM  water  is available as natural runoff. Due to topographical and other factors, the utilizable water availability is limited to 1123 BCM per annum, comprising of 690 BCM of surface water and 433 BCM of replenishable ground water.

However, water available per person is dependent on population of the country and for India, water availability per capita is reducing progressively due to increase in population.

The average  annual  per  capita  water  availability  in  the  years  2001  and  2011  was  assessed  as  1820 cubic meters and 1545 cubic meters respectively which may reduce further to 1341 and 1140 in year 2025 and 2050 respectively. India is home to more than 17% of world's human population and 17.5% of world's cattle population with only 2.4% of world surface area and 4% of fresh water resources of world.

Annual per-capita  water  availability  of  less  than  1700  cubic  meters  is  considered  as  water  stressed condition,  whereas  annual  per-  capita  water  availability  below  1000  cubic  meters  is  considered  as  a  water scarcity condition. Due to high temporal and spatial variation of precipitation, the water availability of many region  of  the  country  is  much  below  the  national  average  and  can  be  considered  as  water  stressed  /  water scarce.

(b) & (c) No, Madam. There is no proposal at present in this Ministry to conduct a study on demand supply of water in the country.

Water being a State subject, water supply is the responsibility of the States/UTs. Central Government facilitates the States/UTs in framing broad policies, programmes, and guidelines on water supply and provides

financial/technical assistance under various programmes/schemes run from time-to-time.

A National Perspective Plan (NPP) envisaging inter-basin transfer of water has been formulated by this Ministry to improve water security in the country. The implementation of NPP would provide 35 million hectare of additional irrigation potential, 34000 mega watts (MW) hydro power generation, flood moderation, navigation, drinking and industrial water supply, fisheries, salinity and pollution control etc.

Central Ground Water Board, under this Ministry has prepared a conceptual document entitled 'Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India' during the year 2013 envisaging construction of 1.11 crore  Rainwater  Harvesting  and  Artificial  Recharge  structures  in  the  country  to  harness  85  BCM  (Billion Cubic  Meters)  of  water.  The  augmented  ground  water  resources  will  enhance  the  availability  of  water  for drinking,  domestic,  industrial  and  irrigation  purposes.  The  Master  Plan  has  been  circulated  to  all  State Governments for implementation.

Central Government has launched the National Water Mission with the objective of conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated  water  resources  development  and  management.  One  of  the  goals  of  National  Water  Mission  is increasing water use efficiency by 20%.

Improved water use efficiency in different sectors such as in irrigation (through micro-irrigation, e.g., drip,  sprinkler  etc.),  industry  and  households  is  being  encouraged  through  various  initiatives,  programmes/ schemes of the Government.

Water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment ground water constitute a special focus area  for  MGNREGA  works  and  about  2/3rd  of  the  expenditure  is  directly  related  to  construction  of  such structures.

Recycle and reuse of water, after treatment to specified standards, rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge are being incentivized through various initiatives, programmes/ schemes of the Government.

Central Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) with the vision of extending the coverage of irrigation 'Har Khet ko Pani' and improving water use efficiency 'More crop per drop' in  a  focused  manner  with  end  to  end  solution  on  source  creation,  distribution,  management,  field application and extension activities.

This  Ministry  has  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.

Ministry of Urban Development has launched Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation  (AMRUT)  with  the  objectives  providing  basic  services  e.g.  water  supply,  sewerage,  urban transport to households and build amenities in cities to improve the quality of life for all.

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