Lok Sabha Question No. 2726 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-27
Subject: Per Capita Availability of Water
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, DHARMENDRA YADAV, SANJAY JAISWAL, Shrirang Appa Barne, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

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

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 2726

ANSWERED ON 27.12 .201 8

## PER CAPITA AVAILABIL ITY OF WATER

| 2726. SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO DR. SANJAY JAISWAL SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL   | SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE   |
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Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) the per capita availability of water in the country at present;

(b) whether the average annual per capita availability of water in the country has come do as per the official data of the Government and if so, the details thereof;

(c) wh ether the Government has conducted any study regarding the causes of this problem and details and the outcome thereof;

(d) whether the Government is aware that 2/3 of the world population could be under stress scarcity by 2025 as p er various reports and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has made any study from the Indian point of view in this regar the outcome thereof; and

(f) the measures taken or being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

## ( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a)  to  (c)  The  average  annual  water  availability  of  any  region  or  country  is  largely  d hydro- meteoro logical  and  geological  factors  and  is  generally  constant.  The  average  ann potential in the country has been assessed as 1869 billion cubic meters (BCM). Due to topog other factors, the utilizable water availability is limited to 1137 B CM per annum, comprising of 690 BCM of surface water and 447 BCM of replenishable ground water.

However, water availability per person is dependent on population of the country and per capita water availability in the country is reducing progressively due to increase in average annual per capita water availability in the ye ars 2001 and 2011 was assessed as 1816 cubic meters and 1545 cubic meters respectively which may reduce further to 1340 and 1140 in the and 2050 respectively. Annual per -capita water availability of less than 1700 cubic meters is co as w ater  stressed condition, whereas annual per -capita water availability below 1000 cubic meters considered as a water scarcity condition.

(d) & (e) As per the United Nations Report, 'Coping with Water Scarcity Challenge of the twenty -first century', two- thirds of the world population could be under conditions of water stress by

National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development (NCIWRD) have mentione in their report that taking into account the water availability and the requirement s in India, which has been assessed as 843 BCM in the year 2025 and 1180 BCM in 2050, there is no need to take a view.However,  due  to  high  temporal  and  spatial  variation  of  precipitation,  the  water  av many regions of the country is much below the national average and can be considered as water str / water scarce.

(f) Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient manage resources are primarily undertaken by the resp ective State Governments. In order to supplement t efforts  of  the  State  Governments,  Central  Government  provides  technical  and  financial  a them through various schemes and programmes. Central Government has taken various steps to avai lability of water in the country.

Central  Government  has  formulated  a  National  Perspective  Plan  (NPP)  for  Water  Res Development which envisages transfer of water from water surplus basins to water defici improve availability of water.

Central Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sincha yee Yojana (PMKSY) in 201516 which aims to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area und irrigation, improve farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation During 2016 - 17, 99 on -going Major/Me dium irrigation projects under PMKSY - Accelerated Irrigation Benefits  Programme  (AIBP)  having  ultimate  irrigation  potential  of  76.03  lakh  hectares prioritized in consultation with States, for completion in phases up to December, 2019.

Central  Gove rnment  has  formulated  National  Water  Policy  (NWP),  2012  which  inter - alia recommends conservation, promotion and protection of water and highlights the need for a the  availability  of  water  through  rain  water  harvesting,  direct  use  of  rainfall  and  o ther  management measures.  The  NWP,  2012  has  been  sent  to  all  States/  Union  Territories  and  the  concern Ministries for appropriate action.

Model Building Bye Laws 2016 circulated by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs i provisions for Rainwater Harvesting. As per these provisions, water harvesting through s runoff including rain water in all new buildings on plots of 100 s q. m and above will be mandatory. Further,  all  building  having  a  minimum  discharge  of  10,000  litre  and  above  per  day mandatory waste water recycling systems. Recycled water shall be used for horticultural pur

Some  other  initiatives/measur es  taken  by  the  Central  Government  for  conservation  a improvement of availability of ground water are as under:

- Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has prepared a conceptual document titled 'Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India' dur ing the year 2013 envisaging construction of 1.11 crore Rainwater Harvesting and Artificial Recharge structures in urban and rur The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.
- CGWB has taken up Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM) programme from the XII Plan,  under  the  scheme  of  Ground  Water  Management  and  Regulation.  Aquifer  Mapping  i aimed at delineating aquifer disposition and their characterization for preparation of a specific ground water manag ement plans.
- The Ministry has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact ground  water  legislation  for  regulation  of  its  development,  which  includes  provision water  harvesting.  So  far,  15  States/UTs  have  adopted  a nd  implemented  the  ground  water legislation on the lines of Model Bill.
- Central  Ground  Water  Authority  (CGWA)  has  been  constituted  under  Section  3  (3)  of '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  t country  where  ground  water  withdrawal  through  new  abstraction  structures  is  not  perm except for drinking and domestic uses.

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