(a) whether the Government is aware that lakes situated in cities across the country are drying up rapidly and their water is becoming un-usable due to encroachments and change in rules relating to land use by the State Governments;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to prepare a comprehensive mechanism for revival of city lakes across the country in consultation with State Governments; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) & (b) Rapid urbanization, developmental activities and anthropogenic pressures, do stress water bodies.
(c) & (d) For conservation and management of identified lakes and wetlands in the country, this Ministry is currently implementing a scheme namely, National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) on cost sharing between Central Government and respective State Governments.
The scheme provides assistance for components such as survey and assessment, catchment area treatment, protection and monitoring, restoration measures, desilting and dredging, water management, biodiversity conservation etc. for conservation and management of wetlands, whereas for restoration and conservation of lakes, assistance is provided for activities such as interception and diversion of sewage, providing sewerage system and sewage treatment plants, desilting, catchment area treatment, storm water management etc.
Under NPCA, financial assistance has been provided for conservation and management of 64 lakes in 15 States and 82 identified wetlands in 24 States & 2 UTs.
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