Lok Sabha Question No. 2968 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-05
Subject: Scarcity of Water in Himalayan Region
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI,

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2968

ANSWERED ON 05.12 .2019

## SCARCITY OF WATER IN HIMALAYAN REGION

## 2968. SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that crop fields in the Himalayan region are glacier fe receding snow fall and glaciers causes scarcity of water in such areas especially in Ladakh d if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is taking any steps to tackle the scarcity of water including gr Ladakh; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

(a) Areas falling in the Himalayan region comprising the UTs of Jammu Kashmir, Leh -Ladakh and the States of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh do have crop fields which are fed by the snow an besides the monsoon rains. Snow and glacier are perennial source of water for rivers originati Himalayas. Glaciers receive and accumulate snow in winter and release melt water in summe surface flow, ground water seepage, etc.  Melting of snow & gla cier is a natural process, although t amount of melting varies with time and prevailing weather condition of the area.  Presently, warming, the glaciers are melting faster than accumulation. Since, melting glaciers are no sourc e for the river discharge; there is no cause of concern for water scarcity in mountaino immediate future.

(b) & (c) Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient mana water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. In order to su efforts of the State Governments, Central Government provides technical and financial assistance to th through various schemes and programmes.

Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti  has  launched  Jal  Shakti  Abhiyan  (JSA) - a campaign  for  water conservation  and  water  security  in  256  water  stressed  districts  of  the  country.  During he  campaign, officers, groundwater experts and scientists from the Government of India will work togethe and  district  officials  in  India's  most water - stressed  districts for  water  conservation  and  water  resource management.In Ladakh, Jal Shakti Abhiyan was taken up in Kargil district.

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 aqui er management plans to facilitate sustainable developme ground water resources. Aquifer maps and management plans have been shared with the respect Government agencies. In Ladakh, NAQUIM programme was taken up in Leh and Kargil districts .

Some initiatives/measures taken by Central Government to control water depletion and rain water harvesting / conservation are available at the URL: http://mowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps\_to\_control\_water\_depletion\_Jun2019.pdf

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