Question : WATER SCARCITY

(a) whether India may face acute water scarcity by 2050 and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has worked out any strategy or devised any policy to deal with the situation and if so, the steps taken/being taken for effective implementation of the policy;

(c) whether the Government has prepared any scheme on rain water harvesting in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to have detailed discussions with the States to find out a mechanism to address the issue, and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES ( SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 12 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 05.12.2013 REGARDING WATER SCARCITY

(a) The average annual water availability for the country has been assessed as 1869 billion cubic meters (BCM). Due to topographic, hydrological and other constraints, the utilizable water has been estimated to be about 1121 BCM, comprising of 690 BCM surface water and 431 BCM of replenishable ground water. The National Commission for Integrated Water Resources Development (NCIWRD), in its report in 1999, assessed that the annual water requirement by the year 2025 and 2050, will be about 843 BCM and 1180 BCM respectively.

(b) Several steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management to ensure sustainability of water resources are undertaken by the respective State Governments. In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to State Governments through various schemes and programmes.

Government of India 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’. Further, Government of India has formulated the National Water Policy, 2012 wherein several recommendations have been made for conservation, development and management of water resources in the country. Copies of the National Water Policy, 2012 have been forwarded to all State Government/UTs and concerned Ministries/Departments of Central Government for appropriate action.

(c) Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), under Ministry of Water Resources had undertaken the Demonstrative Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge Projects during XI Plan under the Scheme of “Ground Water Management & Regulation”, wherein 133 Demonstrative Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge Projects were sanctioned for construction of 1661 structures in 21 States, out of which 1223 structures have been completed. State-wise details are given at Annexure.

(d) Consultations with representatives of State Governments are periodically held at various Conferences/Meetings including meetings of National Water Resources Council and National Water Board, etc. to discuss the problems associated with the water sector and measures needed to resolve them. The Central Government has also constituted a National Forum of Water Resources/Irrigation Ministers of States for sharing of ideas, facilitating support to new and innovative ideas and evolving consensus for better water governance in the country.