Lok Sabha Question No. 128 (STARRED), answered on 2022-12-15
Subject: Development of Rainfed Rivers
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: M.K. Vishnu Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI,

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

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *128

ANSWERED ON 15.12.2022

## DEVELOPMENT OF RAINFED RIVERS

*128 DR. VISHNU PRASAD M.K Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is formulating any scheme to develop several rainfed rivers in various parts of the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government proposes to develop the said rivers to make it more useful for the public by constructing small embankments on rivers and through other means; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) to (d) A Statement of  reply is laid on the Table of the House.

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## ANSWER

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*128 FOR 15.12.2022 REGARDING 'DEVELOPMENT OF RAINFED RIVERS'

## (a) to (d)

1. Development and rejuvenation of rainfed rivers can be done in the following ways:
- i. Implementing conservation measures to prevent soil erosion and   reduce sedimentation in the river, which can help to maintain the river's natural environment flow (e-flow) and prevent it from clogging.
- ii. Planting trees and other vegetation along the river banks, biodiversity conservation and to stabilize soil and prevent erosion which, in turn, will improve the health of the river ecosystem and ensure the base flow into the river from the catchment areas.
- iii. Restoration and conservation of natural flood plains and wetlands which will also help in regulating the e-flow and flooding of rivers.
- iv. Implementing  measures  to  reduce  pollution  and  other  forms  of  anthropogenic  degradation  by improving domestic and industrial waste management and use of chemicals that harm the river ecosystem.
- v. Working  with  local  communities  to  promote  sustainable  practices  and  raise  awareness  about  the importance of  health of rivers and their role in human life.
2. With  the  above  stated  objectives,  the  Central  Government  has  formulated  major  schemes  namely, National Mission for Clean Ganga under the name of "Namami Gange" and National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for the development of rivers including rainfed rivers. These schemes are being implemented to  achieve  the  above-mentioned  objectives  on  an  integrated  basin-centric  approach  for  protection, conservation  and  rejuvenation  of  the  rivers  and  its  tributaries.  The  conceptual  themes  namely  Aviral ( अिवरल ),  Nirmal  ( िनम ल ),  Jan  ( जन ),  Gyan   ( ान )  and   Arth  ( अथ )  for  Ganga  and  its  tributary  rivers  have  been propagated to achieve these  objectives.
3. Under  the  Namami  Gange  Scheme  the  development/  rejuvenation  of  rainfed  rivers  in  Ganga  basin have also been taken up for eleven Ganga basin States viz., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh.  Namami Gange scheme is approved for Rs 22,500 crore for the period 2021-2026. Under this scheme there is also an increased focus on towns along the tributaries of river Ganga.  As of October 2022, 406 projects worth Rs 32,898 crore have been sanctioned under various project components, against which 225 projects have been  completed  and  the  remaining  are  under  various  stages  of  execution.  With  regards  to  sewerage infrastructure, 176 projects worth Rs 26,263 crore have been sanctioned to create/rehabilitate a cumulative treatment capacity of 5,270 MLD and laying of 5,214 km sewer network (98 projects have been completed which has created 1,858 MLD treatment capacity and laid 4,204 km sewer network).
4. Similarly, for rivers other than in Ganga basin, NRCP is aimed for development of rivers, including rainfed  rivers,  on  cost  sharing  basis.  This  is  a  Centrally  Sponsored    Scheme  (CSS)  for  abatement  of pollution in identified stretches of rivers across the country. Under this scheme, abatement of pollution by construction  of  STPs  and  sewer  networks,  plantation/works  along  stretches  of  rivers,  improvement  of ghats  and setting up  improved crematoria are taken up. NRCP has so far covered 78 polluted stretches on 36  rivers  in  80  towns  spread  over  16  States  in  the  country  with  the  sanctioned  cost  of  projects  as  Rs. 6,248.16 crore and sewage treatment capacity of 2,745.7 MLD  has been created.
5. For development of these rivers including rainfed rivers, District Magistrates of  the States of Namami Gange  (Uttarakhand,  Uttar  Pradesh,  Bihar,  Jharkhand,  West  Bengal,  Haryana,  Himachal  Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh) have been informed for taking necessary actions to develop  action  plan  and  start  activities  for  rejuvenation  of  small  rivers  in  their  districts  through convergence of various schemes of Government(s). In this regard in brief guidance document to take up of various steps/ works was also given to the District Magistrates which includes the works of desilting, river

beds and flood plain encroachment removal, pollution abatement activities, afforestation and protection of water  bodies,  construction  of  check  dams  and  other  activities,  watershed  management  and  culture  and heritage  promotion.  Further,  district-wise  inventory  of  small  rivers  in  Ganga  Basin  in  GIS  platform  has been shared with State Governments.

Further, in this regard, Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs have been requested to initiate similar action to be carried out for development of rivers.

6. As per seventh schedule of constitution of India (Article 246), 'Water' is a State subject, and it is the responsibility of the State/UTs to ensure the development of rivers within their jurisdiction. This Ministry supplements the efforts of State Governments on cost sharing basis through various schemes.

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