Lok Sabha Question No. 3953 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Artificial Recharge Structures under JSJB
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Jagdambika Pal, Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Shri Alok Sharma, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Shri Praveen Patel, Shri Dilip Saikia, Shri P P Chaudhary, Shri Lumbaram Choudhary, Shri Mukesh Rajput, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Shri Anurag Sharma, Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3953

ANSWERED ON 19.12.2024

## ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE STRUCTURES UNDER JSJB

3953.   SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH

SHRI LUMBA RAM

SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE

SHRI ANURAG SHARMA

SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL

SHRI ALOK SHARMA

SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR

SMT. KAMALJEET SEHRAWAT

SHRI P P CHAUDHARY

SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL

SHRI MUKESH RAJPUT

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

SMT. APARAJITA SARANGI

SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI

SHRI DILIP SAIKIA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) the specific strategies implemented to ensure effective inter-sectoral convergence among the Ministries for the construction of artificial recharge structures under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative;
- (b)  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  proposes  to  engage  local  communities/stakeholders  in  the implementation of the JSJB initiative to promote sustainable water management practices, construction and maintenance  of  these  structures  in  the  country  including  Jalgaon  district  of  Maharashtra  in  enhancing  the region's groundwater sustainability;
- (c)  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  monitor  and  evaluate  the  effectiveness  of  artificial  recharge structures in improving groundwater levels as part of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Catch the Rain campaign; and (d)  the  manner  in  which  Jalgaon  district  can  leverage  the  JSJB  initiative  to  address  its  unique  water management challenges and the type of role local stakeholders can play in enhancing the region's  ground water sustainability?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) The  Jal  Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative, launched under Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign focuses on intensifying community mobilization to build low cost affordable rainwater harvesting structures in saturation mode. To ensure effective inter-sectoral convergence among ministries for the construction of artificial recharge structures under the JSJB initiative, the Government has implemented a comprehensive  strategy  that  leverages  collaborative  efforts  and  existing  resources.  The  Government  has adopted a convergent approach by pooling resources from various schemes, including the Mahatma Gandhi National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (MGNREGS),  Atal  Mission  for  Rejuvenation  and  Urban Transformation  (AMRUT),  Per  Drop  More  Crop,  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayi  Yojana  (PMKSY),

Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA), Finance Commission grants and Corporate Social Responsibility  (CSR)  contributions.  This  convergent  funding  ensures  synergy  and  maximize  impact.  Each central ministry/department has been requested to utilize their existing schemes and resources to support the extensive  construction  of  artificial  recharge  structures.  Ministries  are  encouraged  to  set  self-determined targets  for  constructing  artificial  recharge  structures  based  on  available  land  and  office  premises,  driving accountability  and  progress.  Regular  meetings  are  convened  to  review  progress,  address  challenges  and ensure inter-ministerial coordination, fostering a collaborative environment.

(b) The Government has implemented extensive measures to promote the JSJB initiative in partnership with State Governments and local authorities to engage local communities/stakeholders in the implementation of the JSJB initiative. The initiative aims at forging partnership with Industry, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Trusts, Civil Society and educational institutions to engage the broader community effectively. State Governments  of  Gujarat,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Rajasthan  and  Bihar  have  proactively  participated  in  the campaigns. Each Ministry/Department/PSU has been requested to utilize their existing schemes and saturate construction of recharge structures in the office premises and residential premises both at headquarter level and  field  level.  Awareness  campaigns  are  conducted  through  social  media  platforms,  public  events  and workshops. The awareness efforts also include  Resident  Welfare  Associations  (RWAs),  Self-Help  Groups (SHGs) and NGOs. The initiative emphasises mobilizing convergent funding from diverse sources inter-alia including philanthropic contributions, industrial donations and crowdfunding to instill a sense of ownership among masses.

(c) In order to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of artificial recharge structures, a dedicated sub-portal has been launched under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) portal. This portal is live and dedicated  to  capturing  data  on  artificial  recharge  structures  across  the  country,  aimed  at  promoting  water conservation efforts. The information of all identified, ongoing and completed structures is uploaded on the JSJB dashboard as below: https://jsactr.mowr.gov.in/jsjb.aspx. Nodal Officers from Central Water Commission(CWC)  &  Central  Ground  Water  Board(CGWB)  have  been  appointed  to  assist  the  district administration in updation of the data on the dashboard. Their major role inter-alia include monitoring the progress  of  work  in  the  States/UTs,  ensuring  uploading  data  on  the  portal  and  conducting  1%  random checking of the structures to evaluate the effectiveness.

(d) Jalgaon  district  can  leverage  the  JSJB  initiative  to  address  its  water  management  challenges  by constructing  low  cost  artificial  recharge  structures  on  the  basis  of  local  conditions.  Converging  resources from  schemes  like  MGNREGS,  PMKSY,  CSR  contributions,  crowdfunding  etc.,  the  district  can  target critical zones of groundwater depletion. Local stakeholders can play a pivotal role such as the administration can  coordinate  for  inter-departmental  efforts  and  monitor  the  progress,  Gram  Panchayats  can  mobilize community  action  and  NGOs  can  provide  technical  support.  Civil  society,  youth  and  schools  can  drive awareness  and  implement  rainwater  harvesting,  ensuring  sustainable  groundwater  management  for  the region.

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