GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES,
RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 70
ANSWERED ON 28.04.2016
AVAILABILITY AND UTILISATION OF WATER
Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of shortage of water in various parts of the country especially in drought affected States, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(b) the availability of water in the country in different water bodies at present and the quantity utilized out of it annually;
(c) whether there is a big gap between the availability and utilisation of water, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(d) the concrete measures taken/to be taken for augmenting, conserving and utilising the water in the country?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION
(SUSHRI UMA BHARTI)
(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.*70 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 28.04.2016 REGARDING AVAILABILITY AND UTILISATION OF WATER.
(a) Yes, Madam. Government is aware that there is shortage of water in several parts of the country, especially in drought affected States, largely on account of low rainfall during previous years and adoption of water intensive/commercial crops.
(b)&(c) Estimated average annual availability of water is 1869 BCM and utilizable quantum of surface water in major river basin of the country is 690 BCM (Details as per Annexure). In addition replenishable Ground Water is 433 BCM. It is however, estimated that about 450 BCM of surface water is being utilized for various purposes annually. Additionally, about 245 BCM of ground water is also being utilized annually for various purposes.
The gap between availability and utilization of water is due to several factors like topographical, hydrological and other constraints like inadequate storage facilities etc. The National Commission for Integrated Water Resources Development (NCIWRD), in its report in 1999, assessed that the annual water requirement by the year 2025 and 2050 will be about 843 BCM and 1180 BCM respectively.
(d) State Governments undertake several measures for augmenting, conserving and utilizing the water resources which inter-alia include conservation of water resources in reservoirs and traditional water bodies, rain water harvesting and artificial recharge of ground water. This Ministry provides technical and financial assistance to the State Governments in this regard through various schemes and programmes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme, Scheme for Repair, Renovation & Restoration of Water-bodies etc.
Central Ground Water Board, under this Ministry has prepared a conceptual document entitled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” during the year 2013 envisaging construction of 1.11 crore Rainwater Harvesting and Artificial Recharge structures in the country to harness 85 BCM (Billion Cubic Meters) of water. The augmented ground water resources will enhance the availability of water for drinking, domestic, industrial and irrigation purposes. The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.
Water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment ground water constitute a special focus area for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) works and about 2/3rd of the expenditure is directly related to construction of such structures.
Central Government has launched the National Water Mission with the objective of conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources development and management. Improved water use efficiency in different sectors such as in irrigation (through micro-irrigation, e.g., drip, sprinkler etc.), industry and household is being encouraged through various initiatives, programmes/ schemes of the Government.
The National Water Policy, 2012 has been formulated which has made several recommendations for conservation, development and improved management of water resources in the country
Jal Kranti Abhiyan (2015-16 to 2017-18) has been launched 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.
Recycle and reuse of water, after treatment to specified standards as well as rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge are being incentivized through various initiatives, programmes/ schemes of the Government.
Various Mass Awareness Programmes, Water Management Training Programmes and other trainings, Workshops, Painting Competitions etc. are organized by this Ministry to encourage and support good practices for augmenting, conserving and utilizing water in the country
This Ministry has also formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP) envisaging inter-basin transfer of water. The implementation of NPP would give benefits of approximately 35 million hectare of additional irrigation potential and 34000 MW hydro Power generation apart from the incidental benefits of flood moderation, navigation, drinking and industrial water supply, fisheries, salinity and pollution control etc.