Question : SCARCITY OF WATER IN TRIBAL AREAS

(a) whether tribals have to travel several kilometers to fetch drinking water in the forests;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure availability of drinking water to the tribals in their respective villages located in the forests itself; and

(d) the extent to which the above steps ensure availability of drinking water in various forest villages?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA)

(a): As per Census 2011 figures, the position regarding Scheduled Tribes households by location of the main source of drinking water is as under :

	Total ST Households Within the premises	Near the premises	Away 19.7%	46.7%	33.6%