Lok Sabha Question No. 2008 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Dried up Water Sources in Himachal Pradesh
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2008

ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025

## DRIED UP WATER SOURCES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

## 2008. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the reports of dried up water sources and streams in Himachal Pradesh due to climate change, deforestation and excessive extraction of groundwater;

(b) if so, the details and the number of streams, rivers and other water sources that have dried up during the last ten years in Himachal Pradesh, district-wise;

(c) whether any studies or surveys have been conducted to assess the impact of drying water sources on agriculture, hydropower and drinking water supply in the region and if so, the details thereof;

(d)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  rejuvenate  water  sources  and  enhance groundwater recharge in the region; and

(e) whether any financial or technical assistance is being provided to the Himachal Pradesh Government for water conservation and management projects and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) & (b) Water being a State subject, the responsibility for augmentation, conservation, and efficient management of water resources primarily lies with the respective State Governments. According to the State Government of Himachal Pradesh, there is no reported cases of water sources drying up due to climate change, deforestation and excessive groundwater extraction. As per the Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India - 2024 report, all 10 groundwater assessment units in the state are categorized as safe. The state's annual groundwater recharge has been assessed at 1.11 billion cubic metres (bcm), with 1.01 bcm designated as annual extractable resources. The total annual groundwater extraction across all sectors stands at 0.36 bcm, resulting in a groundwater extraction rate of 35.48%, which is well within sustainable limits.

(c) Water, being a State subject, places the primary responsibility for the augmentation, conservation, assessment  and  efficient  management  of  water  resources  with  the  respective  State  Governments. However, since  2022,  the  Central  Ground  Water  Board  (CGWB)  under  the  Government  of  India,  in

collaboration  with  State  Governments,  has  been  undertaking  annual  assessments  of  the  country's dynamic groundwater resources, including those of Himachal Pradesh.

The CGWB carried out a Springshed Management Study in Kangra district as part of the Annual Action  Plan  (AAP)  2023-24.  This  study  was  undertaken  in  response  to  reports  of  declining  spring discharge  and  the  drying  up  of  springs,  which  serve  as  vital  sources  for  drinking,  domestic,  and irrigation needs in the region. A total of 233 springs were inventoried during the study, which identified three primary types: fractured/fissured springs (the majority), contact springs, and depression springs.

The study found that most springs in the area are structurally controlled, with fractured and fissured springs predominantly aligned along major lineaments and fractures. Discharge measurements indicated a range of 60-200 litres per minute (LPM) during the pre-monsoon period, increasing to 60-300 LPM in the post-monsoon period.

(d) 'Water'  being  a  State  subject,  steps  for  augmentation,  conservation  and  efficient  management  of water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments.

However, the Central Government takes various steps to promote water conservation and rainwater harvesting  across  the  country,  including  water-stressed  regions,  to  augment  water  availability  and recharge groundwater. The major initiatives in this regard include 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan - Catch the Rain' (JSA: CTR) Campaign; Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal); Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS); Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY); Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transforming (AMRUT); Amrit Sarovar Mission; Unified Building Bye Laws (UBBL);  Model  Building  Bye Laws  (MBBL),  2016;  Urban  and  Regional Development  Plan Formulation &  Implementation (URDPFI)  Guidelines, 2014;  Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management  and  Planning  Authority  (CAMPA),  etc.  Further,  Watershed  Development  Component (WDC) of PMKSY 2.0 incorporates spring shed management as a core activity. Also, National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) includes component for community based spring shed development in Indian Himalayan region.

The  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti  launched  the  Jal  Shakti  Abhiyan  (JSA)  in  2019  as  a  time-bound, mission-mode water conservation campaign in 256 water-stressed districts of the country. The Hon'ble Prime Minister launched 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' (JSA: CTR) in 2021 with the tagline 'Catch the Rain - Where it Falls When it Falls' with five focused interventions (1) water conservation and  rainwater  harvesting  (2)  enumerating,  geo-  tagging  &  making  inventory  of  all  water  bodies; preparation of scientific plans for water conservation based on it (3) Setting up of Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts (4) intensive afforestation and (5) awareness generation. The Abhiyan was scaled up to cover all districts, blocks, and municipalities across the country. The JSA:CTR 2022 campaign was launched with special focus on spring shed development for hilly areas.

The  4 th edition  of  the  campaign  was  launched  with  theme  'Source  Sustainability  for  Drinking Water', focusing on geo-tagging of all water sources of drinking water supply schemes. As reported by the  Government  of  Himachal  Pradesh,  total  47  Ground  Water  and  Spring  Sources  Geo-tagged  under JSA:CTR  2023  campaign.  In  2024  campaign  17,670  ground  water  and  spring  souces  have  been geotagged.

To further strengthen JSA: CTR, 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari' (JSJB) initiative was launched under Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign in Surat, Gujarat on 06th September, 2024, which focuses on intensifying community mobilization to build low-cost rainwater harvesting structures in  saturation  mode.  The  details  of  works  onboarded  under  JSA:  CTR  and  JSJB  by  Government  of Himachal Pradesh are attached at Annexure I and Annexure II respectively.

(e): 'Water'  being  a  state  subject,  steps  for  augmentation,  conservation  and  efficient  management  of water  resources  are  primarily  undertaken  by  the  respective  State  Governments.  However,  in  order  to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, Central Government provides technical and financial assistance to them through various schemes and programmes.

The  Jal  Shakti  Abhiyan:  Catch  the  Rain  (JSA:  CTR)  campaign  emphasizes   on  convergent financing from various schemes of the Central, State and local bodies like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (MGNREGS),  Atal  Mission  for  Rejuvenation  and  Urban Transformation  (AMRUT),  Per  Drop  More  Crop,  Repair,  Renovation  and  Restoration  Components under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai  Yojana  (PMKSY),  Compensatory  Afforestation  Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Finance Commission grants etc.

The "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" (JSJB) initiative focuses on intensifying community mobilization to  build  low-cost  rainwater  harvesting  structures  in  saturation  mode.  The  JSJB  started  by  leveraging community funds, individual donations, Corporate Social Responsibility Funds etc. for construction of low-cost  structures  like  borewells,  recharge  shafts,  recharge  pits,  using  locally  available  material,  to harvest rainwater, to boost ground water level and provide local tailor-made solution to water issues.

Furthermore, Jal Shakti Kendras (JSKs) have been established across districts, serving as dedicated resource and knowledge  centers to provide technical guidance to locals and support district administration  in  implementation  of  rain  water  harvesting  systems.  12  Jal  Shakti  Kendras  have  been established in Himachal Pradesh.

In addition, districts have formulated District Water Conservation Plans to ensure sustainable water management in their  respective  districts.  Under  the  JSA:  CTR  funds  has  been  made  available  to  the various  districts  to  prepare  for  District  Level  Scientific  Water  Conservation  Plans  for  renovation  of existing water bodies/water harvesting structures and construction of new water bodies/water harvesting

structures. Till now, 6 District Water Conservation plans have been prepared in Himachal Pradesh under JSA: CTR.

Central  Ground  Water  Board  (CGWB),  in  consultation  with  State  Governments,  assesses  the country's  dynamic  groundwater  resources  annually.  These  periodic  estimations  offer  crucial  insights into  groundwater replenishment, utilization and overall availability across all assessment units, aiding various stakeholders in informed decision-making.

Additionally,  Central  Ground  Water  Board  (CGWB)  completed  the  National  Aquifer  Mapping (NAQUIM) Project in the entire mappable area of about 25 Lakh sq. km in the Country including the water-stressed  regions  of  the  country.  CGWB  also  prepared  a  Master  Plan  for  Artificial  Recharge  to Groundwater - 2020 in consultation with States/UTs. This macro-level plan identifies various types of recharge structures suitable for different terrain conditions across the country, including water-stressed regions. The Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020 has been circulated to all lined department of the States for implementation.

Under Ground Water Management & Regulation Scheme, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has  been  involved  in  the  implementation  of  several  successful  artificial  recharge  projects  including recharge pits in the country for demonstrative purpose which enables the State Governments to replicate the  same  in  suitable  hydrogeological  conditions.  To  address  the  challenges  faced  by  States  and  local bodies  in  implementing  rainwater  harvesting  systems,  particularly  in  water-stressed  regions,  the Government of India has adopted a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach. As part of this strategy, Central  Nodal  Officers  (CNOs)  and  Technical  Officers  (TOs)  from  the  Central  Ground  Water  Board (CGWB) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) conduct field visits to facilitate the districts and to provide technical assistance.

Under the Ground Water Management and Regulation (GWMR) scheme, which is a Central Sector Scheme,  the  CGWB  offers  technical  assistance  to  State  Governments  for  water  conservation  and rainwater harvesting initiatives, including those in rural areas. Since GWMR is centrally implemented, all activities are directly carried out by the CGWB.

***

ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2008 TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  31.07.2025  REGARDING  'DRIED  UP  WATER SOURCES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH'.

| Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti   | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti   | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti   | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti   | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti   | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti   | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti   | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti   | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti   |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Intervention-Wise Status Report (JSA 2019 - 2025) Ministry/Department: ALL         | Intervention-Wise Status Report (JSA 2019 - 2025) Ministry/Department: ALL         | Intervention-Wise Status Report (JSA 2019 - 2025) Ministry/Department: ALL         | Intervention-Wise Status Report (JSA 2019 - 2025) Ministry/Department: ALL         | Intervention-Wise Status Report (JSA 2019 - 2025) Ministry/Department: ALL         | Intervention-Wise Status Report (JSA 2019 - 2025) Ministry/Department: ALL         | Intervention-Wise Status Report (JSA 2019 - 2025) Ministry/Department: ALL         | Intervention-Wise Status Report (JSA 2019 - 2025) Ministry/Department: ALL         | Intervention-Wise Status Report (JSA 2019 - 2025) Ministry/Department: ALL         |
| *Figures Showing No. of Works Completed &Ongoing                                   | *Figures Showing No. of Works Completed &Ongoing                                   | *Figures Showing No. of Works Completed &Ongoing                                   | *Figures Showing No. of Works Completed &Ongoing                                   | *Figures Showing No. of Works Completed &Ongoing                                   | *Figures Showing No. of Works Completed &Ongoing                                   | *Figures Showing No. of Works Completed &Ongoing                                   | *Figures Showing No. of Works Completed &Ongoing                                   | *Figures Showing No. of Works Completed &Ongoing                                   |
| S.No.Year                                                                          |                                                                                    | Water Conservation and Rain Water Harvesting                                       | Renovation of Traditional Water Bodies                                             | Reuse and Recharge Structures                                                      | Watershed Development                                                              | Total Water Related Works                                                          | Intensive Afforestation                                                            | Expenditure - Including Water related works and Afforestation ( In Rs Crores)*     |
| 1                                                                                  | 2019                                                                               | 273256                                                                             | 44497                                                                              | 142740                                                                             | 159354                                                                             | 619,847                                                                            | 123,599,566                                                                        | NA                                                                                 |
| 2                                                                                  | 2021                                                                               | 1627677                                                                            | 295836                                                                             | 832596                                                                             | 1918913                                                                            | 4,675,022                                                                          | 367,660,580                                                                        | 65,516                                                                             |
| 3                                                                                  | 2022                                                                               | 1241770                                                                            | 267782                                                                             | 872489                                                                             | 1628706                                                                            | 4,010,747                                                                          | 783,836,035                                                                        | 23,863                                                                             |
| 4                                                                                  | 2023                                                                               | 1242357                                                                            | 283786                                                                             | 680256                                                                             | 1484611                                                                            | 3,691,010                                                                          | 55,026,292                                                                         | 18,915                                                                             |
| 5                                                                                  | 2024                                                                               | 1301806                                                                            | 308711                                                                             | 534564                                                                             | 2021450                                                                            | 4,166,531                                                                          | 64,845,783                                                                         | 8873                                                                               |
| 6                                                                                  | 2025                                                                               | 700287                                                                             | 107760                                                                             | 170916                                                                             | 703393                                                                             | 1,682,356                                                                          | 17,408,545                                                                         | 913                                                                                |
| Total                                                                              | Total                                                                              | 6,387,153                                                                          | 1,308,372                                                                          | 3,233,561                                                                          | 7,916,427                                                                          | 18,845,5131,412,376,801                                                            | 18,845,5131,412,376,801                                                            | 118,080                                                                            |
| Total (Jal Shakti Kendra)                                                          | Total (Jal Shakti Kendra)                                                          | Total (Jal Shakti Kendra)                                                          | Total (Jal Shakti Kendra)                                                          | Total (Jal Shakti Kendra)                                                          | Total (Jal Shakti Kendra)                                                          | 712                                                                                | 712                                                                                | 712                                                                                |
| Total (WCP)                                                                        | Total (WCP)                                                                        | Total (WCP)                                                                        | Total (WCP)                                                                        | Total (WCP)                                                                        | Total (WCP)                                                                        | 639                                                                                | 639                                                                                | 639                                                                                |

| Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rainv National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti    | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rainv National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti    | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rainv National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti    | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rainv National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti    | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rainv National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti    | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rainv National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti    | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rainv National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| HIMACHAL PRADESH - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 29-07-2025) | HIMACHAL PRADESH - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 29-07-2025) | HIMACHAL PRADESH - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 29-07-2025) | HIMACHAL PRADESH - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 29-07-2025) | HIMACHAL PRADESH - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 29-07-2025) | HIMACHAL PRADESH - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 29-07-2025) | HIMACHAL PRADESH - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 29-07-2025) |
| JSA Year                                                                             | Water Conservation and Rain Water Harvesting                                         | Renovation of Traditional Water Bodies                                               | Reuse and Recharge Structures                                                        | Watershed Development                                                                | Total Water Related Works (Year- wise)                                               | Total Water Related Works (State-wise)                                               |
| 2021                                                                                 | 14011                                                                                | 2505                                                                                 | 1046                                                                                 | 39810                                                                                | 57372                                                                                | 294988                                                                               |
| 2022                                                                                 | 13429                                                                                | 2454                                                                                 | 1101                                                                                 | 40287                                                                                | 57271                                                                                | 294988                                                                               |
| 2023                                                                                 | 18806                                                                                | 1981                                                                                 | 1229                                                                                 | 45408                                                                                | 67424                                                                                | 294988                                                                               |
| 2024                                                                                 | 22651                                                                                | 2157                                                                                 | 1623                                                                                 | 67526                                                                                | 93957                                                                                | 294988                                                                               |
| 2025                                                                                 | 3499                                                                                 | 238                                                                                  | 259                                                                                  | 14968                                                                                | 18964                                                                                | 294988                                                                               |
| Total                                                                                | 72396                                                                                | 9335                                                                                 | 5258                                                                                 | 207999                                                                               | 294988                                                                               |                                                                                      |

ANNEXURE-II ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2008 TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  31.07.2025  REGARDING  'DRIED  UP  WATER SOURCES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH'.

| State-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0   | State-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0   | State-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0   | State-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0   | State-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| (Status as on 31.05.2025)                                 | (Status as on 31.05.2025)                                 | (Status as on 31.05.2025)                                 | (Status as on 31.05.2025)                                 | (Status as on 31.05.2025)                                 |
| S. No.                                                    | State                                                     | Completed Work                                            | Ongoing Work                                              | Total Works                                               |
| 1                                                         | ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS                               | 119                                                       | 14                                                        | 133                                                       |
| 2                                                         | ANDHRA PRADESH                                            | 36338                                                     | 45990                                                     | 82328                                                     |
| 3                                                         | ASSAM                                                     | 1710                                                      | 188                                                       | 1898                                                      |
| 4                                                         | BIHAR                                                     | 134431                                                    | 7480                                                      | 141911                                                    |
| 5                                                         | CHANDIGARH                                                | 11                                                        | 17                                                        | 28                                                        |
| 6                                                         | CHHATTISGARH                                              | 405563                                                    | 31332                                                     | 436895                                                    |
| 7                                                         | DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELIANDDAMAN AND DIU                    | 92                                                        | 0                                                         | 92                                                        |
| 8                                                         | DELHI                                                     | 201                                                       | 0                                                         | 201                                                       |
| 9                                                         | GOA                                                       | 7                                                         | 0                                                         | 7                                                         |
| 10                                                        | GUJARAT                                                   | 133522                                                    | 28188                                                     | 161710                                                    |
| 11                                                        | HARYANA                                                   | 7465                                                      | 617                                                       | 8082                                                      |
| 12                                                        | HIMACHAL PRADESH                                          | 148                                                       | 36                                                        | 184                                                       |
| 13                                                        | JAMMU AND KASHMIR                                         | 6129                                                      | 90                                                        | 6219                                                      |
| 14                                                        | JHARKHAND                                                 | 2798                                                      | 519                                                       | 3317                                                      |
| 15                                                        | KARNATAKA                                                 | 115303                                                    | 22132                                                     | 137435                                                    |
| 16                                                        | KERALA                                                    | 5396                                                      | 4235                                                      | 9631                                                      |
| 17                                                        | LADAKH                                                    | 1                                                         | 1                                                         | 2                                                         |
| 18                                                        | MADHYA PRADESH                                            | 276625                                                    | 31858                                                     | 308483                                                    |
| 19                                                        | MAHARASHTRA                                               | 7130                                                      | 843                                                       | 7973                                                      |
| 20                                                        | MANIPUR                                                   | 34                                                        | 10                                                        | 44                                                        |
| 21                                                        | MEGHALAYA                                                 | 3356                                                      | 200                                                       | 3556                                                      |
| 22                                                        | MIZORAM                                                   | 1                                                         | 0                                                         | 1                                                         |
| 23                                                        | NAGALAND                                                  | 63                                                        | 0                                                         | 63                                                        |
| 24                                                        | ODISHA                                                    | 101174                                                    | 57907                                                     | 159081                                                    |
| 25                                                        | PUDUCHERRY                                                | 161                                                       | 3                                                         | 164                                                       |
| 26                                                        | PUNJAB                                                    | 6093                                                      | 14911                                                     | 21004                                                     |
| 27                                                        | RAJASTHAN                                                 | 364968                                                    | 51115                                                     | 416083                                                    |
| 28                                                        | SIKKIM                                                    | 18                                                        | 0                                                         | 18                                                        |
| 29                                                        | TAMIL NADU                                                | 68887                                                     | 13407                                                     | 82294                                                     |
| 30                                                        | TELANGANA                                                 | 520332                                                    | 41038                                                     | 561370                                                    |
| 31                                                        | TRIPURA                                                   | 12305                                                     | 292                                                       | 12597                                                     |
| 32                                                        | UTTAR PRADESH                                             | 141055                                                    | 26259                                                     | 167314                                                    |
| 33                                                        | UTTARAKHAND                                               | 2333                                                      | 482                                                       | 2815                                                      |
| 34                                                        | WEST BENGAL                                               | 25                                                        | 5                                                         | 30                                                        |
| Total 2353794 379169 2732963                              | Total 2353794 379169 2732963                              | Total 2353794 379169 2732963                              | Total 2353794 379169 2732963                              | Total 2353794 379169 2732963                              |

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