Lok Sabha Question No. 1696 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-29
Subject: Focus of River Conservation
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Gitaben Vajesingbhai Rathva, Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya

†1696.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI,

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1696

ANSWERED ON 29 .07 .2021

## FOCUS OF RIVER CONSE RVATION

SHRIMATI RATHVA GITABEN VAJESINGBHAI SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether efforts are mainly made for conservation of big and perennial rivers and if thereof;

(b) whether small rivers ar e neglected and remain polluted in a greater way; and

(c) if so, the details of various measures being taken by the Government to ensure conservati and small rivers alike?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## ( SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL )

(a) to (c) There are two types of rivers in the country viz: perennial and non - perennial rivers. Perennial are those rivers in which water remains available throughout the year and non -perennial are rain - fed rivers, in which water flows only during the monsoon. Rivers in the country are polluted mainly due to untreated  and  partially  treated  sewage  from  cities/towns  and  industrial  effluents  in  t catchments, problems in operation and mainten ance of sewage/effluent treatment plants, lack of dil and other non point sources of pollution. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have com problem.

Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is an ongoing activity. It is the responsibility of the States/UTs and local bodies to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents to the pr before  discharging  into  river  and  other  water  bodies,  coastal  waters  or  land  to  prevent pollution  therein.  For  conservati on  of  rivers,  this  Ministry  has  been  supplementing  efforts States/UTs  by  providing  financial  and  technical  assistance  for  abatement  of  pollution stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for r ivers in Ganga basin, and Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for othe Further, priority for effective rejuvenation of small rivers has been accorded under the Ma National Rural Employment Guarantee Sc heme (MGNREGS).

Proposals for pollution abatement works in the towns along polluted river stretches from  the  States/UTs  from  time  to  time  for  consideration  under  NRCP  and  sanctioned  based prioritization, conformity with NRCP guidelin es, availability of plan funds, etc.

NRCP has so far covered polluted stretches on 34 rivers in 77 towns spread over 16 S country with the project sanctioned cost of Rs.5965.90 crore , and inter - alia, a sewage treatment capacity of 2522.03 MLD has been created. Under Namami Gange programme, a total of 346 projects inc 158 projects for sewage treatment of 4948 MLD and sewer network of 5213 km, have been sanctio cost of Rs. 30235 crore.

In  addition,  sewerage  infrastructure  is  created  under  programs  like  Atal  Mi Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission of Ministry of Housi Urban Affairs.

As per the Provisions of Environment (Protecti on) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plant their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into r ater bodies. Accordingly, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Board and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) monitor industries with respect to effluent dischar and take action for non -compliance under provis ions of these Acts.

Besides, in compliance of the orders of National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Original Ap No.673/2018 regarding rejuvenation of polluted river stretches in the country, States/UTs a implement approved action plans for restoration of the polluted stretches in their jurisdiction as by CPCB and published in their report of 2018, within the stipulated timelines. As per the o regular review on implementation of action plans is undertaken in the State s/UTs and also at Central level.

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