Question : Availability of Water and its Sources- Resources

(a) whether the Central Water Commission has taken a decision to send a team to certain States of the country including Maharashtra to obtain information regarding availability of water and its sources/resources there;
(b) if so, the details and the findings thereof along with action taken thereon, if any;
(c) whether the Government has decided to seek the help of Israel in managing water resources;
(d) if so, the details and outcome thereof; and
(e) the details of other alternatives the Government proposes to take to ensure overhaul of water resources projects in an effective way?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION
(PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a) & (b)Yes, Madam, this Ministry had deputed a technical team having representatives from CWC, CGWB and other experts for an on the spot assessment of water situation in Latur district of Maharashtra. The team has suggested short and long term measures including excavation of bore wells, artificial recharge, rainwater harvesting, mass awareness programmes on water conservation and interlinking of Bhima and Manjara Rivers. Further, Central Water Commission (CWC) has directed regional Chief Engineers to prepare a status report for Vidharbha and Marathwada in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Telangana, Bundelkhand in UP, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in consultation with the concerned regional Central Ground Water Board and the respective State Governments.
(c) & (d) Yes, Madam, an MoU between India and Israel on Water Resource Management has been approved by the Government. It, inter-alia, envisages collaborating and sharing experience and expertise in the areas mutually agreed upon, including techniques in the efficient use of water resources, recycling/re-use of waste water, desalination, aquifer recharge, in-situ water conservation techniques, and water resource management.
(e) Water being a State Subject, steps to ensure sustainability of water resources are undertaken by respective State Governments depending on their priority and resources. However, Central Government supplements the efforts of State Governments by providing financial assistance. The Prime Minister’s Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMSKY) has been launched for convergence of investments in irrigation, enhancing access to water resources on the farm, efficient use of water, sustainable water conservation practices, re-use of water etc.

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