Lok Sabha Question No. 352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-19
Subject: Composite Water Management Index for Ground Water Conservation
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

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

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 352

ANSWERED ON 19.0 7.201 8

## COMPOSITE WATER MANA GEMENT INDEX FOR GRO UND WATER CONSERVATI ON

## 352. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR

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 facing its worst water crisis in demand for water would far outstrip its supply by 2030 and even by 2020 and 21 Indian cities will r out of ground water in case no action is taken to address the issue and if so, the details

(b) whether the annual per capital availability of water fell from 1820 cubic meters in cubic meters in 2011 with a likely further fall to 1341 cubic meters in 2025 resulting in like situation and if so, the facts thereof;

(c) whether the ground water usage escalated from 58 percent to 62 percent between 2004 and ifso, the details thereof;

(d)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  build  a  Composite  Water  Management  Index  (CWMI) benchmark State - level performances based on water indicators against a clear baseline and details thereof; and

(e) the proactive steps taken to stem the problem before it becomes unmanageable?

## ANSWER

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

## ( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a)NITI Aayog, in its report titled 'Composite Water Management Index' (June 2018) has mention ed about reports by McKinsey and Water Resources Group which states that India's water demand will exceed supply by a factor of two by the year 2030. The report also states that 21 citie expected to run out of groundwater by 2020. This is based only on the estimates of annual groundwater replenishment and its extraction. It does not take into account the ground water availablit aquifers.

(b) The average annual water availability of any region or country is largely dependent u ometeorological  and  geological  factors  and  is  generally  constant.  As  per  National  Comm Integrated  Water  Resources  Development  (NCIWRD)  report,  the  total  water  availability received through precipitation is about 4000 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) per annum. After evaporation,

1869 BCM water is available as natural runoff. Due to geological and other factors, the ut availability is limited to 1137 BCM per annum comprising 690 BCM of surface water and 447 replenshiable ground water.

The  average  annual  per  capita  water  availability  in  the  country  as  a  whole  i progressively due to increase in population. The average annual per capita availability of water in 2001 and 2011 was assessed as 1820 cubic meters and 1545 cubic meters, respectively which m reduce further to 1340 in the year 2025.

According to National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development (NCIWRD -1999)  constituted  by  Ministry  of  Water  Resources,  the  total  water  requ irement  of  the  country  for different uses for high demand scenario for the years 2025 and 2050 shall be 843 Billion C (BCM) and 1180 BCM respectively.

(c)As per the assessment of dynamic ground water resources of the country jointly by Centr al Ground Water Board and concerned State Governments,  the stage of ground water development, whic ratio of ground water use to net annual ground water availability, has increased from 58 62% in 2011.

(d) The National Institute for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog has developed the Composite Wate Management Index (CWMI) to enable effective water management in Indian states. The Index and this  associated  report  are  expected  to:  (1)  establish  a  clear  baseline  and  benchmark - level performance on key water indicators; (2) uncover and explain how states have progressed issues  over  time,  including  identifying  high - performers  and  under - performers,  thereby  inculcating  a culture of constructive competition among states; and, (3) identify areas for deeper en investment on the part of the states.

(e) Water being a State subject, initiatives on water manag ement including conservation and artificia recharge  to  ground  water  is  primarily  States'  responsibility.    However,  steps  taken  by  the  Central Government for conservation of ground water are available at the following http://mowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/MeasuresForGW - Depletion\_1.pdf .

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