Lok Sabha Question No. 162 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Impact of ABY on Groundwater Management
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *162

ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025

## IMPACT OF ABY ON GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT

*162.    SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Atal  Bhujal  Yojana  (ABY)  has  achieved  its  planned  targets  for  groundwater  recharge, community water budgeting and participatory irrigation management in the identified pilot districts since its launch and if so, the details thereof;

- (b) the quantifiable impact of ABY on groundwater levels in each of the seven implementing States since 2020 including trends in over-exploited and critical blocks;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to scale up successful models of groundwater governance under Jal Shakti Abhiyan - Catch the Rain, Phase II; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the criteria laid down for shortlisting and funding?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI C R PAATIL)

(a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. *162 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025 IN LOK SABHA REGARDING 'IMPACT OF ABY ON GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT'

(a) Atal Bhujal Yojana  (Atal Jal/ABY)  is a unique scheme  for community  led  sustainable management of ground water resources. The scheme lays a robust  grassroots foundation and promotes rigorous  capacity  building  at  the  Gram  Panchayat  level  through  sustained  information,  education, communication (IEC) and training activities, empowering the community members to come together and themselves prepare Water Budgets (WBs) followed by Water Security Plans (WSPs) for their GPs. The WSPs  are  discussed  and  approved  by  the  gram  sabhas  after  detailed  deliberations  wherein  maximum participation  of  community  members,  with  at  least  33%  women  participation,  is  ensured.  The  WSPs contain both supply and demand side measures to enhance ground water recharge as well as to improve irrigation efficiency by reducing water demand. So far, community led water budgeting and preparation of WSPs has been completed for all 8,203 GPs under Atal Jal and the same are updated annually.

As envisaged in the WSPs, construction of various water conservation and ground water recharge works like check dams, ponds, recharge pits/shafts etc. are taken up through convergence mode and using an  incentive  mechanism  which  has  resulted  in  construction/renovation  of  around  81,700  supply-side recharge structures   so  far  under  the  Yojana  further  resulting  in  an  estimated  ground  water  recharge  of around 716 Million Cubic Meters (MCM).

(b) Arresting the decline of ground water levels is one of the important performance indicators under Atal Bhujal Yojana. The scheme is being implemented in 229 Blocks of 7 States, out of which 140 were under over-exploited and critical category during the year 2020. As per the assessment conducted, out of 229 Blocks, totally 83 Blocks have shown improvement in ground water levels as detailed in Annexure I. Further, among over-exploited and critical Blocks, 55 have shown improvement during the same period, the details of which are provided in Annexure -II.

(c) & (d) The Government is implementing the umbrella campaign of Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) in the country since 2019, which is a mission mode and time bound programme for harvesting the rainfall and taking up water conservation activities in convergence with various ongoing central and state schemes like MGNREGA, AMRUT, PMKSY etc.

To  further  strengthen  the  momentum  of  Shakti  Abhiyan,  the Jal  Sanchay  Jan  Bhagidari  (JSJB ) initiative was launched in September 2024, which seeks to develop cost-effective, local solutions tailored to specific water challenges across different regions by promoting community ownership and responsibility.  Several  innovative  models  of  groundwater  recharge  and  water  conservation  have  been

observed  across  various  regions  under  the  Jal  Shakti  Abhiyan:  Catch  the  Rain  (JSA:CTR)  campaign, showcasing the diversity of locally adapted and community-driven solutions.

Brief description of some of the noteworthy models is provided below:

-  In  Banaskantha,  Gujarat,  a  large-scale  initiative  has  focused  on  constructing  low-cost artificial recharge structures in arid regions by leveraging CSR funding and the participation of  farmer  cooperatives.  This  model  demonstrates  how  public-private  collaboration  can effectively address regional water stress.
-  In Maharashtra, the Jal Tara Model involves farmers systematically constructing standardized recharge pits measuring 4 ft × 4 ft × 6 ft across agricultural land. This low-tech but  impactful  intervention  enhances  infiltration  and  supports  the  recharge  of  shallow aquifers, benefiting both crops and groundwater sustainability.
-  In  Jalaun,  Uttar  Pradesh,  revival  of  Noon  river  has  presented  an  exemplary  case  of  river rejuvenation through collective effort. The 81-kilometre stretch, once reduced to a dry drain, was brought back to life through the involvement of MNREGS workers, local volunteers, students,  and  technical  support.  Restoration  of  flow  paths  and  removal  of  obstructions supported irrigation across 2,780 hectares, benefiting more than 15,000 farmers.
-  In addition to the above, there are other successful models which have emerged in different parts  of  the  country  like,  the  Karmbhoomi  se  Matribhoomi  Model  of  Gujarat;  CREDAIRaipur  model  of  Chhattisgarh;  Alwar,  Rajasthan  Model  for  using  school  buildings  as learning aids for rooftop rainwater harvesting; 5% Model from Korea district in Chhattisgarh; Gir Ganga  Trust model  of Gujarat showcasing a philanthropic and  community-led approach etc.

These successful models have been documented and are regularly showcased by the National Water  Mission  during  interactions  with  District  Collectors,  wherein  exemplary  districts  present  their implementation strategies. To facilitate broader replication, a compilation of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and standard designs for artificial recharge structures has also been shared with all States and Union Territories.

Implementation  of  all  the  works  under  JSA:  CTR,  including  the  replication  and  scaling  up  of successful models is primarily supported through convergence of funds from ongoing Central and State schemes, along with community and CSR contributions.

***

ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *162 TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  31.07.2025  REGARDING  'IMPACT  OF  ABY  ON GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT'

| States         |   Total BlocksImprovement Status |   Total BlocksImprovement Status |
|----------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Gujarat        |                               36 |                               13 |
| Haryana        |                               36 |                               14 |
| Karnataka      |                               41 |                               20 |
| Madhya Pradesh |                                9 |                                4 |
| Maharashtra    |                               43 |                               14 |
| Rajasthan      |                               38 |                               13 |
| Uttar Pradesh  |                               26 |                                5 |
| Grand Total    |                              229 |                               83 |

## ANNEXURE-II

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *162 TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  31.07.2025  REGARDING  'IMPACT  OF  ABY  ON GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT'

| States         |   Over Exploited and Critical Blocks(out of 229 total)Improvement Status |   Over Exploited and Critical Blocks(out of 229 total)Improvement Status |
|----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Gujarat        |                                                                       23 |                                                                        9 |
| Haryana        |                                                                       31 |                                                                       10 |
| Karnataka      |                                                                       41 |                                                                       20 |
| Madhya Pradesh |                                                                        0 |                                                                        0 |
| Maharashtra    |                                                                       10 |                                                                        6 |
| Rajasthan      |                                                                       26 |                                                                        9 |
| Uttar Pradesh  |                                                                        9 |                                                                        1 |
| Grand Total    |                                                                      140 |                                                                       55 |

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