Lok Sabha Question No. 780 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-17
Subject: Floods in States
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Deepak Baij

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 780

ANSWERED ON 17.09.2020

## FLOODS IN STATES

## †780. SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether there has been heavy loss of life and property in various States due to catastrophe of the details thereof;

(b) the details of steps taken by the Government for rain wate r harvesting keeping in view the rainfall in last years; and

(c) whether any study has been conducted for ascertaining the decline in water harvesting due to il occupation of water sources and consequently the floods situation is getting worse e very year?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

(a)   Floods are natural calamity that India faces almost every year, in varying degrees of magnit loss of lives and property. The occurrence floods can be attributed to various factors, including rainfall both in time a nd space with frequent departures from the normal pattern, inadequate carrying ca rivers,  river  bank  erosion  and  silting  of  river  beds,  landslides,  poor  natural  drainage  in  f snowmelt and glacial lake out - bursts.

(b)   National Water Mission (NWM) of Ministry of Jal Shakti has initiated 'Catch the Rain' campaign in order to promote creation of Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS) suitable to the climatic conditions - soil strata  to  store  rain  water.  Drives  to  make  water harvesting  pits,  rooftop  RWHS  and  check  dams;  removal  o encroachments and de - silting of tanks to increase their storage capacity; removal of obstructions in which bring water to them from the catchment areas; repairs to traditional water har vesting structures like step -wells and using defunct bore - wells and old wells to put the water back to aquifers etc, are some of th suggested to be taken up with peoples' active participation under this campaign.

Central  Ground  Water  Board  is implementing  a  nationwide  programme  of  'National  Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM)' for mapping of aquifers (Water bearing formations), their characterization and development of aquifer management plans to facilitate sustainable developmen d water resources. Aquifer maps and management plans have been shared with the respective State Go agencies. Public Interaction Programs are being organised at grass root level for disseminating t Aquifer Management Plans for the be nefit of the stakeholders.

To  promote  recharge  of  ground  water,  Ministry  of  Housing  &  Urban  Affairs  has  form guidelines  for  the  States  to  adopt  measures  suitable  to  local  conditions.  Adequate  focus  has requirement of rainwater harvesting and water conservation measures in Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL 2016 and Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 20

(c)  This Ministry has not carried out any specific study to ascertain the extent of decline in water harvesting du to illegal encroachment of water bodies.