Lok Sabha Question No. 1157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Scheme for Rainwater Harvesting
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Arun Sao, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Vijay Baghel, Devji Mansingram Patel, Saikia Dilip, Sunil Kumar Singh, Mohan Mandavi, Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar, Sudhakar Tukaram Shrangre, Sunil Kumar Soni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1157

ANSWERED ON 27.07.2023

## SCHEME FOR RAINWATER HARVESTING

| †1157.   | SHRIARUN SAO                   | SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA        |
|----------|--------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|          | SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL              | SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL              |
|          | SHRI DILIP SAIKIA              | SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH           |
|          | SHRIMOHAN MANDAVI              | SHRI RANJEETSINGH NAIK NIMBALKAR |
|          | SHRISUDHAKAR TUKARAM SHRANGARE | SHRISUDHAKAR TUKARAM SHRANGARE   |
|          | SHRISUNILKUMAR SONI            | SHRISUNILKUMAR SONI              |

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme for rainwater harvesting in order to help ground water recharge in the country;
- (b) if so, the details of the measures being taken in this regard, State/UT-wise particularly in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and North-Eastern States;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  initiatives  for  construction  of  recharge  pits  in  order  to recharge the ground water and prevent water logging in the aforesaid States;
- (e) if so, the details thereof, district-wise; and
- (f) the other steps that are being taken by the Government for rainwater harvesting?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

(a) to (e) Water is a State subject and the Central Government supplements the efforts of the States through  technical  and  financial  support.  The  respective  State  Governments  /  Union  Territories implement  rainwater  harvesting  practices  and  takes  up  construction  of  recharge  pits  varying   from region to region depending upon the climatic conditions, soil-strata, hydrogeological terrain and other localized factors.

The Government of India has been implementing schemes and programmes/ policies in the country including  in  the  States  of  Gujarat,  Rajasthan,  Jharkhand,  Maharashtra  and  North-Eastern  States  for rainwater  harvesting  and  to  help  ground  water  recharge.  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); Unified Building Bye Laws (UBBL); Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL), 2016; Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation & Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014 etc.

Under Ground Water Management & Regulation Scheme, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has been involved in the implementation of several successful artificial recharge projects in the country for  demonstrative  purpose  which  enables  the  State  Governments  to  replicate  the  same  in  suitable hydrogeological  conditions.  CGWB  has  been  involved  in  the  implementation  of  several  successful artificial recharge projects as demonstrative projects in the country including recharge pits to recharge the  ground  water  and  prevent  water  logging.  District-wise  information  regarding  construction  of recharge pits is not available.

(f) Other steps for rainwater harvesting include advisories / directives issued by Government of India from time to time; Organizing National Water Awards; holding meeting/conferences; Organizing Water Talks & Webinars with District Magistrates/District Collectors: involvement of NGOs, Urban and Rural Local Bodies, Community Participation etc.

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