Lok Sabha Question No. 4304 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: Drying up of Rivers
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Kapil Moreshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4304 ANSWERED ON 1 9.0 3.2020

## DRYING UP OF RIVERS

## 4304. SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether experts have predicted the drying up of many rivers in the country soon;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether criminal negligence towards environment and river conservation has been highlighted as the reason for drying up of rivers in the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by t this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

(a) to (d) There are two types of rivers in the country; (1) perennial rivers and (2) Non - perennial rivers. In perennial rivers, water remains available throughout the year, while non - perenial rivers a e rain fed rivers in which water flows only during the rainfall period. The flow in the rivers is dynamic and de parameters such as rainfall, its distribution and intensity in the catchment, catchment c withdrawals/ utilis ation of water in the basin. Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors importan in the country. Considering annual average flow of last 20 years of terminal sites of imp appreciable increasing/decreasing trend in total water availabi lity has been observed. Government has tak water  conservation  initiatives  especially  under  Jal  Shakti  Abhiyan  through  the  process harvesting.

Discharge of untreated and partly treated sewage and industrial effluent along with du lid waste are the major reasons for pollution in rivers. It is the primary responsibility of the Union territories to provide necessary sewerage infrastructure, treat and thereafter dischar water bodies & rivers and ke ep them clean. Similarly, the States / ULBs are to provide facilitie collection;  transportation  and  management  of  solid  waste  and  prevent  it  from  polluting  r bodies etc.

River cleaning is a continuous process and the Central Gov ernment is supplementing the efforts State Governments and Union Territories in river rejuvenation through programmes like 'Namami Gange' and 'National River Conservation Plan'.

State Governments, apart from their own budgetary allocati on, are also accessing financial assist for creation of sewerage infrastructure, including Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), in vario underAtal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Miss Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs .

Besides,  CPCB  had  issued  direction  on  21.04.2015  to  the  State  Pollution  Contr (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollu 1974  for  proper  collection,  transportation  and  treatment  of  sewage generated  in  urban  areas  in  the respective  States.  CPCB  also  issued  directions  on  09.10.2015  to  Local  Authorities  under (Protection) Act, 1986 to local authorities of metropoliten cities, State capitals and tow ensure proper treatment and disposal of sewage in accordance with the stipulated standards.

Further, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) , State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution  Control  Committees  (PCCs) monitor  industries  with  respect  to  effluent  dis arge standards and take action for non - compliance under  provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 19 Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

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