(a) the details of the different schemes for the watershed management projects in the country;
(b) the details of the expenditure incurred on such projects in Punjab;
(c) whether the Government has any regulatory authority to check the effectiveness in terms
of rise in ground water level of such projects; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI LAL CHAND KATARIA)
(a) The Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development has been implementing
three area development programmes viz. Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP),
Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP) since 1995-
96 on watershed basis. The above three programmes have been integrated into a single a modified
programme called Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) w.e.f. 26.02.2009, for
development of rainfed/degraded areas. The major activities taken up under IWMP inter-alia
include ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil and moisture conservation, rain water
harvesting, nursery raising, afforestation, horticulture, pasture development, livelihoods for
asset less persons.
(a) As on 31.03.2013, an amount of Rs.14.04 crore has been incurred as expenditure on
Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) and Rs. 23.30 crore was incurred on
Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP). No projects under DPAP and DDP had
been sanctioned in Punjab.
(c) & (d) The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for the purpose of regulation and control of ground water
development and management in the country. It is headed by the Chairman, Central Ground Water
Board (CGWB) and 14 other members of different Ministries /Departments/ Organizations/
Institutions of Government of India. The Central Ground Water Authority do not exercise any
powers/ regulatory measures to check the effectiveness in terms of rise in ground water level of
watershed managements projects. The Central Ground Water Authority excercises following
powers and perform functions namely:
(i) Exercise of powers under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for
issuing directions and taking such measures in respect of all matters referred to in sub-
section(2) of section 3 of the said Act.
(ii) To resort to penal provisions contained in section 15 to 21 of the said Act.
(iii) To regulate and control, management and development of ground water in the country
and to issue necessary regulatory directions for the purpose.
(iv) Exercise of powers under section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for the
appointment of officers.
Considering the severity of the exploitation and in order to restrict further exploitation of
ground water, some of highly over exploited areas are Notified by Central Ground Water Authority
for regulation of ground water withdrawal. The Central Ground Water Authority has so far notified
162 areas in the country for the purpose of regulation of ground water development.