(a) whether the Government has conducted or proposes to conduct detailed study of rising heat and depleting source of water due to global warming; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the modern technologies proposed to be used for the said purpose?
THE MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a) Yes Madam. Government has taken note of rise in global temperatures. In line with this, temperature over India also showed noticeable rise. Details of average annual temperature and anomalies over the country as a whole during the last five years (2014 to 2018) are given in the table below for ready reference;
Year Annual Temperature (0 C) Annual Temperature anomaly (0 C)
(Based on climatology 1981-2010)
2014 25.73 +0.2385
2015 25.92 +0.4244
2016 26.20 +0.7066
2017 26.04 +0.5413
2018 25.90 +0.3999
(b) The Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR, RD & GR) has been implementing the following schemes/plans for conservation of water resources:
(i) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) with the objective of enhancing physical access to water on farms, improve farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc.
(ii) Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of water bodies, including ponds & tanks, which aims at improving catchment area of tank commands, increasing storage capacity, ground water recharge and increased availability of drinking water by promotion of conjunctive use of surface and ground water, etc.
(iii) Implementation of National Water Mission with the objective of conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources development and management.
(iv) Ground Water Management and Regulation to conserve and replenish ground water in the country. As a part of this programme, Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has issued advisories to all States to take measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge to ground water/rain water harvesting. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has also been organizing mass awareness programmes in the country to promote water conservation & rain water harvesting. Special focus is also given through MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme for water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment ground water.
(v) The National Water Policy-2012 formulated by MoWR, RD&GR, inter-alia, advocates conservation, promotion and protection of water and highlights the need for augmenting the availability of water through rain water harvesting, direct use of rainfall and other management measures. The policy document has been forwarded to all States and concerned Ministries/Departments of Central Government for adoption of policy.
(vi) This Ministry has also been supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in abatement of pollution and conservation of rivers, lakes & wetlands under the programmes of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA), on a cost sharing basis between the Central and State Governments.
(vii) Water being a State subject, the Ministry is facilitating States and UT’s in formulation of State/UT Specific Action Plans on Water Sector which include sustainable management of water resources and managing the impact of climate change.