Lok Sabha Question No. 908 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-06
Subject: WATEC Conference
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Gautham Sigamani Pon, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Amol Ramsing Kolhe

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 908

ANSWERED ON 06.02.2020

## WATEC CONFERENCE

| 908.   | SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL SHRI GAUTAM SIGAMAANI PON DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE   | SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA   |
|--------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government participated in the Water Technology and Environment Control ( conference held in Israel a nd if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  the  conference  was  mandated  to  get  updates  on  technologies  related  to environmental management and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the conference is likely to help India to overcome depleting g roun wat r resources and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has collaborated with Israel which is considered to be leader in management and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the other steps taken by the Government to use technologies to conserve water and replicate

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

(a) to (e) A  three  member  delegation  from  Government  of  India  led  by  Hon'ble  Minister  (Jal  Shakti), participated in Water Technology and Environment Control (WATEC) 2019 event in Tel - Aviv, Israel on 19 th November  2019.  Besides,  there  were  also  delegations  from  Andhra Pradesh  (Ministerial - level), Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Karnataka. WAPCOS, a Public Sector Undertaking Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti,  along  with  business  delegations  from  Confederation  of  Indian  In Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and South India Chamber of Commerce and  Industries  (SICCI)  also  participated  in  the  event.  WATEC  2 019,  an  international  conference  and exhibition, had a mandate to update the participants (policy and decision makers, industry l executives, investors and researchers from around the world) on latest innovations and techn towater and environmental management.

During WATEC 2019, extensive discussions were held on wide range of issues in the wat covering  both  agriculture  and  drinking  water,  Israel's  unique  water  management  system  involving desalination and reuse of waste water.  A Memorandum of Understanding between India and Water  Resources  Management  and  Development  Cooperation  was  signed  on  11.11.2016  to  enh cooperation at the national, regional and international levels by c ollaborating in the areas mutually agre upon,  including  techniques  in  the  efficient  use  of  water  resources,  recycling/re - u e of  waste  water, desalination, aquifer recharge and in - situ water conservation techniques, and water resource manageme

Central Ground  Water  Board  (CGWB)  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 sus tainable development of ground water resources. Aquifer maps and management plans have been shared with the respec Government agencies for taking suitable interventions.

Various technologies commonly used for rain water harvesting have been des cribed in the 'Manual on Artificial Recharge of Ground Water' available in public domain in the following  URL: http://cgwb.gov.in/documents/Manual - Artificial -Recharge.pdf  and  also  in  'Master  Plan  for  Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India', in http://cgwb.gov.in/documents/masterplan - 2013.pdf .

Further objectives of onging Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee  Yojana (PMKSY) include the  adoption  of  precision - irrigation  and  other  water  sa ving  technologies,  improve  on - farm  water  use efficiency to reduce wastage, integration of water source, distribution and its efficient us of water through appropriate technologies and practices, etc.

Water being a State subject, initiat ives on water management including conservation and artif recharge to ground water in the Country is primarily States' responsibility. The important measures taken by  the  Central  Government  for  conservation  of  water  in  the  country  are  at  the  foll g  URL: http://mowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps\_to\_control\_water\_depletion\_Jun2019.pdf

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