Lok Sabha Question No. 872 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-28
Subject: Water Conservation and Management
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN, Shrirang Appa Barne, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 872

ANSWERED ON 28.04.2016

## WATER CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

## 872.     SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN

SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether increasing demand of water for various purposes on account of growing population, industrialization and urbanization  pose  serious  challenges  of  creating  facilities  for  conservation  and  proper  utilization  of  available  water resources;

(b) if so, whether the inter-linking of rivers is needed to provide water security, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has invited all sections of the society to work together for water conservation in the country;

(d) if so, the details and the response thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has any proposal to adopt water conservation technologies adopted by Israel and if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION (PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a)  Yes,  Madam.  The  demand  for  water  in  the  country  has  been  increasing  on  account  of  increasing  population, industrialization, urbanization etc. which has put a strain on the available water resources.  Hence, there is a need for sustained efforts for water conservation, augmentation and water use efficiency etc.

(b)  The inter-linking of rivers has the potential for addressing the twin problems of water scarcity and flooding in the country.  This Ministry has formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Water Resources Development envisaging inter-basin transfer of water.  Further, the implementation of National Perspective Plan for water resources development would give benefits of approximately 35 million hectare of additional irrigation potential and 34000 mega watts (MW) hydro power generation apart from the incidental benefits of flood moderation, navigation, drinking and industrial water supply, fisheries, salinity and pollution control etc.

(c)  &  (d)  Recognizing  the  importance  of  involvement  and  cooperation  of  different  stakeholders,  the  Government  has invited  various  stakeholders  viz.  agencies  of  Central  and  State  Governments,  Non-Governmental  Organisations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, experts in the water sector, general public etc. to work together for water conservation in the country through various programmes e.g. Jal Manthan, workshops/conferences etc. This Ministry has also launched Jal Kranti Abhiyan (2015-16 to 2017-18) in June 2015 in order to consolidate water conservation and management in the country through a holistic and integrated approach involving all stakeholders, making it a mass movement.  The response from different stakeholders has been encouraging.

(e)  Yes, Madam. Israel was a partner country in India Water Week, 2016 held from 4-8 April, 2016. This Ministry has prepared  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  for  bilateral  cooperation  in  Water  Resources  Management  and Development with Israel and the Union Cabinet has approved the same.

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