Lok Sabha Question No. 237 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-17
Subject: Rainwater Harvesting for Government Buildings
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: NEELAM SONKER

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 237

ANSWERED ON 17.11.2016

## RAINWATER HARVESTING FOR GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS

## 237. SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER

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

(a) whether the Union Government has set up any mechanism in coordination with the State Governments for rainwater harvesting in all the Government buildings in rural areas across the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether land have been identified by the Government for the construction of water reservoir in all the villages for the purpose of rainwater harvesting and to ensure proper water level throughout the year in these areas by storing water in these reservoirs; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the amount earmarked by the Government for the same along with the time by which the scheme is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

- (a) & (b)  Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has issued advisory to all the States/UTs and concerned  Central  Ministries/  Departments  to  take  necessary  measures  for  adopting  rain  water harvesting/  artificial  recharge  in  all  the  Government  buildings  including  rural  areas.  So  far,  30 States/UTs have made rain water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules &  regulations  or  by  including  suitable  provisions  in  Building  bye-laws  or  through  suitable Government Orders.
- (c) & (d) Water being State subject, necessary measures for identification and allocation of land for rain  water  harvesting  at  village  and  hamlets  level  are  undertaken  by  the  State  Governments. However, several  measures  have  been  taken  up  by  the  Central  Government  for  the  purpose  of rainwater harvesting and to ensure proper water level in the Country :
- 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 'overexploited' or facing acute water scarcity, as 'Jal Grams' to ensure optimum and sustainable utilization of water.

*****