Lok Sabha Question No. 3098 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: World Economic Forum Report on Water
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

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

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 3098

ANSWERED ON 03 .0 8.201 7

## WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM REPORT ON WATER

## 3098. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

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

(a) whether the Government is aware of the report published by the World Economic Forum on

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether shortage/inavailability of water has been estimated during the last three years

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/proposed to be taken to improve the wa the country?

## ANSWER

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

( DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN )

(a) to (d) Yes, Madam. The World Economic Forum in its Global Risk Report, 2017 has ca Water Crisis as one of the global risks. The r eport indicates a significant decline in the availabl and quantity of fresh water, resulting in harmful effects on human health and/or economic a

As per the National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development (NCIWRD) re 1999 the total water availability of India received through precipitation is about 4000 Bil (BCM) per annum. After evaporation, 1869 BCM water is available as natural runoff. Due to and other factors, the utilizable water availabil ity is limited to 1137 BCM per annum, comprising of BCM of surface water and 447 BCM (as per latest assessment in the year 2013) of replenish water.

In India, per capita water availability is reducing progressively due to increase in average annual per capita water availability in India in the years 2001 and 2011 was as cubic meters and 1545 cubic meters respectively. Annu al per - capita water availability of less than cubic meters is considered as water stressed condition, whereas annual per -capita water availability belo 1000 cubic meters is considered as a water scarcity condition. Due to high temporal and sp ari tion of precipitation, the water availability of m any regions of the country is much below the national av and can be considered as water stressed / water scarce.

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 f the availability of water through various measures like rain water harvesting, direct use o National  Water Policy  (2012)  has  been  forwarded  to  all  State  Governments/UTs  and  con Ministries/Departments of the Central Government for adoption.

Water being a State subject, State Governments undertake several measures for enhan availability, water co nservation, improved water management etc. Central Government supplement efforts of State Government by way of support (technical and financial) throu schemes/programmes and also by framing laws/rules/regulations/guidelines etc. in this rega rd.

CGWB has taken up Aquifer Mapping and Management programme (NAQUIM) during XII Plan, under  the  scheme  of  Ground  Water  Management  and  Regulation.  The  Aquifer  Mapping  is  aim delineate  aquifer  disposition  and  their  characterization  for  preparation  o f  aquifer/area  specific  groun water management plans, with community participation. So far 6.31 lakh sq.km has been cov NAQUIM in the entire country.

The Ministry of Rural Development in consultation and agreement with the Ministry Resources,  River  Development  and  Ganga  Rejuvenation  and  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers' Welfare  has  developed  an  actionable  framework  for  Natural  Resources  Management  (NRM), 'Mission Water Conservation' to ensure  gainful utilization  of  funds. The Framework strives to ensure synergies  in  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (MGNREGS),  Pradha Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) a Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD&WM), given their common objectives. Types of common works undertaken under these programmes/schemes are water conservation and manag water  harvesting,  soil  and  moisture  conservation,  groundwater  recharge, flood  prot development, Command Area Development & Watershed Management.

Central  Government  has  launched  Jal  Kranti  Abhiyan  (2015 - 18)  on  5 th June,  2015  in  order  to consolidate water conservation and management in the country through a holistic and integra involving a ll stakeholders, making it a mass movement. The components of Jal Kranti Abhiyan i Jal Gram Yojana (ii) Development of Model Command Area (iii) Mass Awareness Programme and Other Activities.

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