Lok Sabha Question No. 1262 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Exploitation of Water Resources
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA, RAMESH BIDHURI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1262 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2017

## EXPLOITATION OF WATER RESOURCES

## †1262. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate a scheme for curbing the rampant exploitation of water  resources  including  groundwater  with  a  view  to  averting  an  imminent  water  crisis,  if  so,  the details thereof;

(b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  any  scheme  for  using  new  technologies  for optimum use of water resources, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any discussions have been held in this regard with certain States especially Rajasthan, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon; and

(d) the future plans of the Government to tackle the water crisis situation in the country?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) Central  Ground  Water  Authority  (CGWA)  has  been  constituted  under  'The  Environment (Protection) Act, 1986' for the purpose of regulation and control of ground water development and management in the Country.  So far, CGWA has notified 162 areas in the Country for the purpose of regulation of ground water.  Under the CGWA guidelines, in notified areas, no permission is accorded to  extract  ground  water  through  any  energized  means  for  any  purpose  other  than  drinking  water. However,  for  non-notified  areas,  ground  water  withdrawal  by  industries  is  regulated  by  means  of guidelines/criteria as specified as CGWA.

(b)  and  (c) The  National Groundwater Management Improvement Scheme (NGMIS), supported by the World Bank, is under active consideration of the Government. The Scheme envisages sustainable ground water management through suitable supply/demand side interventions, including technologies like  micro  irrigation,  solar  pumps,  laser  levelling  practices  etc.,  with  stakeholder  participation  in identified priority areas of seven States viz. Gujarat,  Haryana,  Karnataka,  Madhya  Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.  The estimated cost of the Scheme is Rs. 6,000 crore and it will be implemented over a period of six years. Detailed discussions have been held with the above mentioned States after which the Scheme has been formulated.

- (d)  To tackle the water crisis in the country, the Central Government has taken the following steps:
- The National Water Policy (2012) formulated by Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR, interalia,  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.
- CGWB has  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 Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has suggested all States to adopt water conservation measures like roof top rainwater harvesting, erecting sustainability structures for water conservation  etc.  For  creating  such  sustainability  structures,  10  %  of  National  Rural  Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) funds are provided to the States.
- Department of Land Resources is currently implementing 8214 watershed development projects in  28  States  covering  an  area  of  about  39.07  million  ha.  under  the  Watershed  Development Component (WDC) of the Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana  (PMKSY)  principally  for development  of  rainfed  portions  of  net  cultivated  area  and  culturable  wastelands.    The  major activities taken up under the WDC-PMKSY, inter-alia, include ridge area treatment, drainage line afforestation,  soil  and  moisture  conservation,  rain  water  harvesting,    horticulture,  and  pasture development etc.
- Special  focus  is  given  through  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Act (MGNREGA) for water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment ground water. In addition, priority has been given for construction of 882325 farm ponds in the year 2016-17 to harvest rain water.
- CGWA has  issued  advisories  to  States  and  UTs  to  take  measures  to  promote/adopt  artificial recharge to ground water / rain water harvesting.  30 States/UTs have made rain water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulations or by including provisions in Building bye-laws or through suitable Government Orders.
- 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.
- MoWR, RD & GR 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.
- 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.