Question : RECHARGE OF GROUNDWATER

(a) whether artificial recharge of ground water through dug wells begun in seven States since its inception in 2008 is proposed to be launched in more States;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with its impact including the details of States where it was launched and the States where it is proposed to be launched;

(c) whether water recharging system is proposed to be introduced in Government houses;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the number of houses/buildings where the system is currently working; and

(e) the details of bore-wells that have been sunk in the Country due to the fall in water table, State-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION; PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND TEXTILES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE). (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) & (b) A State Sector Scheme of “Artificial recharge to ground water through dug wells” was launched in 2007-2008 in the States of Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The scheme was not taken up in Andhra Pradesh as the State Government expressed its inability to take up the scheme. A subsidy of `257.52 crore was released to six(6) States for identified 7.23 lakh existing irrigation dug-wells for recharge to ground water. The scheme closed in March 2010 and there is no proposal for launching the scheme in other States.

(c)&(d) Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under the Ministry of Water Resources has issued an advisory to Chief Secretaries/Administrators of all the States/Union Territories and Ministry of Urban Development, to take necessary measures for adopting rain water harvesting/ artificial recharge in all the Government buildings. The data regarding number of houses/buildings where system is currently working is not being centrally maintained.

(e) Records of wells that have been sunk due to fall in water table are not centrally maintained.