Lok Sabha Question No. 529 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-28
Subject: 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari' Initiative
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 529

ANSWERED ON 28.11.2024

## 'JAL SANCHAY JAN BHAGIDARI' INITIATIVE

## 529. SHRI RAJU BISTA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari' initiative aimed at promoting community driven water sustainability;

(b)  the  main  objective  of  this  initiative  and  the  manner  in  which  it  contributes  to  the  overall  water conservation efforts in the country;

(c) the way in which the Government plans to integrate this initiative with existing programmes like the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and MGNREGS;

(d) the details on the number of rainwater harvesting structures planned under this initiative along with their expected impact on water scarcity in Kalimpong, Uttar Dinajpur and Darjeeling districts; and

(e) the manner in which the collaboration between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the State Government's help in achieving sustainable water management practices across the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) & (b) The "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" (JSJB) initiative, launched in Surat on 6 th September 2024, is part of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign. This initiative emphasizes the importance of Jan Bhagidari (community participation) in water conservation & embodies a pledge for united action from all stakeholders, including government  bodies, industries, local authorities, philanthropists,  resident  welfare  associations  (RWAs)  and  individuals  with  the  aim  to  have  a  special focus  on  the  construction  of  artificial  recharge  structures/borewell  recharge  shafts  among  other activities, to increase storage capacity & help  augment groundwater recharge.

The key objective of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative is to ensure that every drop of water is conserved through collective efforts, following a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach. By promoting community ownership and responsibility, the initiative seeks to develop cost-effective, local solutions tailored to specific water challenges across different regions.

(c) JSJB  initiative  has  been  launched  as  a  part  of  JSA:  CTR  campaign  with  a  special  emphasis  on construction  of  artificial  recharge  structures  across  the  country.  The  Government  has  adopted  a convergent  approach  for  implementing  this  initiative,  leveraging  resources  from  both  Government schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Per Drop More Crop, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA), Finance Commission grants,  etc  and  private  funding  like  CSR  contributions,  individual  donations  etc.  This  convergent funding ensures synergy and maximizes impact.

(d) The central goal of the initiative is the construction of at least 1 million artificial recharge structures with special focus on construction of borewell recharge structures to enhance groundwater levels and support  sustainable  water  management  practices  throughout  the  country  including  Kalimpong,  Uttar Dinajpur,  and  Darjeeling  districts.  The  recharge  structures  enhance  the  availability  of  groundwater, particularly  during  dry  spells,  supporting  agriculture,  drinking  water  supply  thereby  addressing  water scarcity. Moreover, the implementation of these structures contributes to long-term climate resilience by fostering  sustainable  groundwater  management,  reducing  vulnerability  to  droughts  and  ensuring equitable access to water resources across diverse user groups.

(e) As  water  is  a  State  subject,  the  collaboration  between  the  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti  and  State Governments is pivotal for sustainable water management. The Ministry of Jal Shakti provides technical and financial support, along with best practices for replication. The JSJB initiative, inspired by Gujarat's Jal  Sanchay  model,  exemplifies  this  partnership  by  encouraging  States  and  UTs  to  adopt  similar measures, thereby strengthening national efforts in water conservation.

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