Lok Sabha Question No. 2734 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-22
Subject: Ground Water Extraction
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Talari Rangaiah

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2734

ANSWERED ON 22.12.2022

## GROUND WATER EXTRACTION

## 2734 DR. TALARI RANGAIAH

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that India tops the list of the ten ground water extracting countries;

(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to reduce dependency on ground water resources;

(c)  whether  the  Government has any proposal for a pan  India scheme for rejuvenation of the ground water resources; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) No such information is readily available, however, as per one of the latest UN report  India is among top countries with the highest shares in global groundwater withdrawal in 2017.

(b) Water being state subject the efforts to reduce dependence on groundwater/sustainable management of  water  including  effective  rainwater  harvesting  is  mainly  responsibility  of  the  State,  however, important  steps  taken  by  the  Central  Government  in  this  regard  can  be  seen  at  http://jalshaktidowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps%20taken%20by%20the%20Central%20Govt%20for%20water\_dep letion\_july2022.pdf

Central  Government  is  promoting  conjunctive  use  of  groundwater  and  surface  water  for  various purposes  including  agriculture  and  drinking  water  etc  through  various  policy  initiatives/schemes. National  Water  Policy  (NWP-2012)  advocates  for  a  number  of  policy  interventions  for  sustainable management of water resources including efficient use of groundwater and surface water in the country.

Government of India launched Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in the year 199697  to  provide  Central  Assistance  to  States  for  the  major/medium  irrigation  projects  in  the  Country. Further,  during  the  year  2015-16,  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana  (PMKSY)  was  launched with  the  aim  to  enhance  physical  access  of  water  on  farm  and  expand  cultivable  area  under  assured irrigation, improve on farm water-use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices etc., and Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) was co-opted in it. Major and Medium Irrigation Projects through surface water sources at various places have been taken up under this scheme.

Repair,  Renovation  &  Restoration  (RRR)  of  Water  Bodies  and  Surface  Minor  Irrigation  (SMI) schemes are being implemented by this Ministry as part of PMKSY with an aim to comprehensively improve  &  restore  the  water  bodies,  to  promote  conjunctive  use  of  surface  &  ground  water,  ground water recharge/conservation and to undertake minor irrigation projects using surface water etc.

Guidelines have been issued on 24.09.2020 for regulation and control of ground water extraction in the  country.  Water  being  a  State  subject,  the  guidelines  advocate  for  a  participatory  approach  for sustainable  ground  water  management  in  agriculture  sector  including  working  towards  crop  rotation, diversification & other initiatives to reduce over-dependence on groundwater.

The Government is implementing Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal), a Rs. 6000 crore Central Sector Scheme  with  World  Bank  assistance,  for  sustainable  management  of  ground  water  resources  which include activities like preparation of water security plan at Gram Panchayat level in participatory mode by involving communities to use available groundwater and surface water in an efficient manner. The scheme is being taken up in select areas that include 80 districts, 229 administrative blocks and 8221 water stressed Gram Panchayats of seven States, viz. Haryana, Gujarat,  Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh from 01.04.2020 for a period of 5 years.

Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing Per Drop More Crop component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) which is operational from 2015-16. The PMKSY-Per Drop More Crop mainly focuses on water use efficiency at farm level through micro irrigation (drip and sprinkler irrigation system) to reduce the extraction of groundwater.

(c)  &  (d) Central Government  works  in  close  collaboration  with States/UTs  through  various initiatives/schemes like Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), MGNREGA, PMKSY-Watershed development etc to supplement their efforts for sustainable management of groundwater. The JSA was launched in 2019 with the primary aim to effectively harvest the monsoon rainfall through creation of artificial recharge structures, watershed management, recharge and reuse structures, intensive afforestation and awareness generation  etc.  The  JSA  has  continued  during  2021  and  2022  which  were  launched  by  the  Hon'ble Prime Minister and Hon'ble President of India respectively.

CGWB is implementing National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM) programme with the objectives to delineate the aquifers, characterize them and prepare groundwater management plans. Out of the identified 25 lakh Sq Km area for coverage under NAQUIM studies, so far, an area of 24.4 lakh Sq Km has already been covered. The entire 25 lakh Sq Km is targeted to be covered by March 2023. The NAQUIM reports are shared with States/UTs for use.

The Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater -2020 has been jointly prepared by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and States. The master plan envisages creation of 141.75 Lakh water harvesting/conservation structures for both rural and urban areas at an estimated cost of Rs 1.34 lakh Cr. The  Master  plan  has been  shared with States/UTs  for suitable interventions through relevant Central/State schemes.

Further, Hon'ble Prime Minister launched Amrit Sarovar Mission on 24 th April 2022. The Mission is  aimed  at  developing  and  rejuvenating  75  water  bodies  in  each  district  of  the  country  as  a  part  of celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.