Water Stressed Districts

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) periodically assess the ground water resources pan-India in collaboration with States/Uts. As per the 2017 assessment, out of the total 6881 assessment units (Block/ Taluks/ Mandals/ watersheds/ Firkas) in the country, 1186 units (17 percent of the units) in 17 States/UTs have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’ where the Annual Ground Water Extraction is more than Annual Extractable Ground Water Resource. State-wise status of assessment units are given in Annexure I.

As per the Central Water Commission (CWC) report entitled “Reassessment of Water Availability in India using Space Inputs”, the average annual water resources potential in the country is assessed as 1999.20 BCM. Details of basin-wise water availability is enclosed at Annexure-II.

         Water being a State subject, initiatives on water management including conservation and water harvesting in the Country is primarily States’ responsibility. However, the important measures taken by the Central Government for conservation, management of ground water and effective implementation of rain water harvesting in the country are at the following URL:

http://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps_to_control_water_depletion_Feb2021.pdf.

  In addition, a number of States have done notable work in the field of water conservation/harvesting. Of these, mention can be made of ‘Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan’ in Rajasthan, ‘Jalyukt Shibar’ in Maharashtra, ‘Sujalam Sufalam Abhiyan’ in Gujarat, ‘Mission Kakatiya’ in Telangana, Neeru Chettu’ in Andhra Pradesh, Jal Jeevan Hariyali in Bihar, ‘Jal Hi Jeevan’ in Haryana among others.

Government of India launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) in 2019, a time bound campaign with a mission mode approach intended to improve water availability including ground water conditions in the water stressed blocks of 256 districts in India. The districts were selected based on the groundwater extraction level as per the information available with the CGWB. In this regard, teams of officers from Central Government along-with technical officers from Ministry of Jal Shakti were deputed to visit water stressed districts and to work in close collaboration with district level officials to undertake suitable interventions. Further, Ministry launched ‘JSA-II-Catch the Rain’ on 21 December 2020 for awareness generation among people.

Government of India is implementing Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal), a Rs. 6000 Crore Central Sector Scheme, for sustainable management of ground water resources with community participation. Atal Jal is being implemented in 80 water stressed districts of Seven States viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh as a pilot project. The districts have been identified based on the criticality of groundwater situations as proposed by the participating States.

CGWB periodically assess the Dynamic Ground Water Resources of the country in collaboration with States/UTs. The next assessment for the year 2020 is under process.

   Central Government supports construction of water harvesting and conservation works primarily through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana – Watershed Development Component (PMKSY-WDC). The expenditure on water related works under MGNREGA during the last three years is given at Annexure III. Further, State-wise details of water harvesting structures created under PMKSY-WDC is given at Annexure IV.

Further other steps by the Central Government may be seen in the URL : http://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps_to_control_water_depletion_Feb2021.pdf.

Annexure I

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) & (b) of Unstarred Question No. 3840 to be answered in Lok Sabha on 18.03.2021 regarding “Water Stressed Districts”.

ANNEXURE-II

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) & (b) of Unstarred Question No. 3840 to be answered in Lok Sabha on 18.03.2021 regarding “Water Stressed Districts”.

Basin-wise Details of Average Annual Water Availability in India.

Source: Reassessment of Water Availability in India using Space Inputs, June 2019.

ANNEXURE-III

Annexure referred to in reply to part (f) of Unstarred Question No.3840 to be answered in Lok Sabha on 18.03.2021 regarding “Water Stressed Districts”.

The works taken up on Water Conservation & Water Harvesting under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in last three year & current year in all States/UTs.

Annexure-IV

Annexure referred to in reply to part (f) of Unstarred Question No. 3840 to be answered in Lok Sabha on 18.03.2021 regarding “Water Stressed Districts”.

State-wise details of WHS created/rejuvenated under PMKSY-WDC during 2015-16 to 2020-21 (as on 30.09.2020)

       Note: Provisional and subject to change (As per information received from States)

* erstwhile J&K

   This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Rattan Lal Kataria in Lok Sabha today.

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BY/AS