(a) whether the India Water Week, 2016 was celebrated recently;
(b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
(c) whether the Government has adopted any multi-dimensional approach for the redressal of the water issues; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with benefits likely to accure therefrom?
THE MINISTER FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
(SUSHRI UMA BHARTI)
(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *175 to be answered on Thursday, the 5th May, 2016 on ‘India Water Week, 2016’ raised by Shri Manoj Tiwari and Dr. Subhash Bhamre.
(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. The India Water Week, 2016 was held from 4th -8th April 2016 at New Delhi with the theme “Water for all: Striving together”. More than 1500 delegates representing National and International Organizations, Research Institutes, Educational Institutions and NGOs from water resources, agriculture, power sectors etc. participated in the India Water Week. Besides Delegates from 14 countries including from Israel, Hungary, Burundi, Bhutan etc. also attended the India Water Week.
During the conference various topics relating to Water Resources development, management, planning and conservation of water were deliberated upon with a view to find out strategies towards achieving the goal of “Water for All” in line with Government of India’s vision “Sab Ka Sath, Sab Ka Vikas”. Details of seminars, penal discussion, brain storming session, case study and other events on various subjects covered are given in Annexure. A multi disciplinary conference of various aspects of Water Resources and exhibition to showcase the technology available in the water sectors was also organized.
It emerged from the deliberations that sustainable development of water resources should be taken up at greater pace. The conference highlighted the need for capacity building of all the stakeholders including farmers. Best practices of water resources development, management and conservation were also deliberated upon.
(c) & (d) A multi-dimensional approach for redressal of the issue of water scarcity has been undertaken as per details given below:-
(i) Central Government has launched the 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. Improved water use efficiency in different sectors such as in irrigation (through micro-irrigation, e.g., drip, sprinkler etc.), industry and household is being encouraged through various initiatives, programmes/ schemes of the Government.
(ii) This Ministry has also formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP) envisaging inter-basin transfer of water. The implementation of NPP would give benefits of approximately 35 million hectare of additional irrigation potential and 34000 MW hydro generation apart from the incidental benefits of flood moderation, navigation, drinking and industrial water supply, fisheries, salinity and pollution control etc.
(iii) This Ministry provides technical assistance to the State Governments for water conservation measures through various schemes and programmes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme, Scheme for Repair, Renovation & Restoration of Water Bodies, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojna etc.
(iv) The National Water Policy, 2012 has been formulated which has made several recommendations for conservation, development, improved management of water resources in the country.
(v) Jal Kranti Abhiyan (2015-16 to 2017-18) has been launched in order to consolidate water conservation and management in the country through a holistic and integrated approach involving all stakeholders, making it a mass movement.
(vi) Various Mass Awareness Programmes, Water Management Training Programmes and other trainings, Workshops, Painting Competitions etc. are organized by this Ministry to encourage and support good practices for augmenting, conserving and utilizing water in the country.
(vii) Central Ground Water Board , under this Ministry has prepared a conceptual document entitled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” during the year 2013 envisaging construction of 1.11 crore Rainwater harvesting and Artificial Recharge structures in the country to harness 85 BCM (Billion Cubic Meters) of Water. The augmented ground water resources will enhance the availability of water for drinking, domestic, industrial and irrigation purposes. The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.
(viii) Water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment ground water constitute a special focus area for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) works and about 2/3rd of the expenditure is directly related to construction of such structures.
(ix) For increasing water use efficiency, a proposal has been mooted to establish National Bureau for Water use Efficiency.
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Annexure
(Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) and (b) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 175 to be answered on 05.05.2016 regarding “INDIA WATER WEEK, 2016”)
Details of Technical Sessions of the Conference of IWW-2016
Seminar
1 Water Literacy for All
2 Farmers and Water
3 Challenges of Water Supply and Sanitation for Urban and Rural Areas
4 Water and Health – Managing Water Quality
5 Environment, Climate Change and Water
6 Agro Industries and Water
7 Creating Awareness for Water Conservation in Younger Generation
8 More Crop Per Drop – Adoption of Precise Irrigation Technology
Panel Discussion
1 Experiences from Jal Kranti Abhiyan
2 Action Plan for Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY)
3 Water Management – Learning from Ancient Wisdom and Traditional Practices
4 Interlinking of Rivers Projects– Achievements and Way Forward
5 Strategies to Achieve target under UN Sustainable Development Goals in Water Sector
6 River Siltation, its Impact and Way Forward
7 Water and Power
Brainstorming Session
1 Role of Water Storage in River Rejuvenation and Sustaining E-Flows
2 Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building of Water Resources Professionals
3 Financing of Irrigation Projects
4 Groundwater Aquifer Mapping – Lessons Learnt
5 Institutionalizing People’s Participation in Water Planning and Management
6 Stakeholders Centric Research in Water Sector
Case Study
1 Rainwater Harvesting and Water Conservation at Local Level
2 Efficient Water Use in Agriculture
3 Model for Efficient Water Management at Local Level in Urban/ Peri-Urban Areas
4 Basin Level Management Initiatives
5 Flood Risk Assessment : Lessons Learnt from Recent Disasters in India
6 Zero Water Industry and Industrial Water Efficiency
Side Event
1 Dam Safety Management-DRIP Initiative
2 Israel Makes in India– CoE’s and Commercial Success Stories
3 Water Film Fest
4 India Irrigation Forum – 2016
5 Participatory Irrigation Management (INPIM)
Special Session
1 Community Participation in Water Resources