Question : WATER DEVELOPMENT

(a)Whether the scenario for water development and management in India appears to be bleak in future; and

(b) If so, the measures taken by the Government to protect water bodies ?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV)

(a) The average annual water availability in the country is assessed as 1869 billion cubic metre (BCM). Based on the population of 1027 million as per the 2001 census, the per capita availability works out to be 1820 cubic metre per year. However, there is considerable temporal and spatial variations in the water availability in the country and due to population growth, the per capita water availability is also declining year after year. There are also instances of over- exploitation of ground water leading to lowering of water table in certain areas.

(b)Water being a state subject, several measures for development and management of water resources are undertaken by the respective State Governments which include creation of storages, restoration of water bodies, rain water harvesting, artificial recharge to ground water and adoption of better management practices etc. Government of India provides assistance to the State Governments for completion of on-going irrigation projects under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme

(AIBP). Further, a pilot scheme titled `National Project for Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies directly linked to Agriculture` has been approved by Government of India in January 2005. Government of India also provides support under centrally sponsored scheme for Command Area Development and Water Management (CAD&WM) with a view to bridging the gap between irrigation potential created and potential utilized. Government has also constituted an Advisory Council on Artificial Recharge to Ground Water under the Chairmanship of Union Minister of Water Resources with the main objective to popularize the concept of artificial recharge to ground water among all stakeholders.