Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of waterresources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments with thetechnical and financialassistance to them through various schemes and programmes of Central Government. National Water Policyinter-alia envisages conservation, protection and availability of water. Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016 andCentral Ground Water Authority’s directions under Section 5 of “The Environment Protection Act, 1986envisage mandatory rain water harvesting.
Ministry of Jal Shakti has taken various steps for water conservation and harvesting of water withcommunity participation through different schemes viz. Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyan(JSA), National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM) Programme, National Perspective Plan,Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Command Area Development & Water Management(CADWM) Programme, monitoring of life storage of reservoirs, performance evaluation and water useefficiency studies of major and medium irrigation projects.
'Catch the Rain' & 'SahiFasal' campaigns, trainings, workshops, awards, seminars, water talks,exhibitions, fairs, competitions, webinars etc. for water conservation, water harvesting, water use efficiencyand ground water management are also held with active participation of government departments, agencies,panchayats, non-government organisations etc. Department of Rural Development is taking up waterconservation works under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
At present, while there is no proposal for construction of dam in Pachnada Project, Government ofUttar Pradesh has informed that Detailed Project Report of a Barrage Project at Pachnadahas been completed.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Rattan Lal Kataria in Lok Sabha.
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BY/AS