Question : Reforms in Water Resources Management

(a) whether many significant developments have taken place in regard to Water Resources Management (WRM) during the last few months and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether there is severe scarcity of water in the country and there is need to take immediate steps in this regard and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there is an urgent need to carry out reforms in the management of water resources; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard and to review WRM?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a), (c) & (d) Water being a State subject, measures including management and distribution of water resources are taken by the respective State Governments. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing technical and financial assistance through various schemes / programmes. Under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna (PMKSY), 99 prioritized Projects have been identified for expeditious completion. In this scheme many innovative measures for water management have been adopted, which includes: (a) innovative funding through creation of ‘Long Term Irrigation Fund’ under NABARD for Mission Mode Completion of projects (b) Use of Under Ground Pipe Line, (c) Promotion of Micro-Irrigation, and (d) promotion of Participatory Irrigation Management.

(b). As per National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development (NCIWRD) report, the total water availability of India as a whole received through precipitation is about 4000 Billion cubic meter (BCM) per annum. After evaporation, 1869 BCM water is available as natural runoff. Due to geological and other factors, the utilizable water availability is limited to 1123 BCM per annum, comprising of 690 BCM of surface water and 433 BCM of replenishable ground water. The

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NCIWRD Report mentions that per capita water availability of less than 1700 cubic meters is termed as a ‘water-stressed’ condition while below 1000 cubic meters is termed as a ‘water scarcity’ condition. The average annual per capita availability of water in the country taking into consideration the population of the country as per the 2001 and 2011 census and the population projection for the year 2025 is as under:

Year Population (in Million) Per capita Average Annual Availability (m3/year) Remarks in term of per capita availability
2001 1029 1816 ---
2011 1210 1545 Water stressed condition
2025 1394 (Projected) 1340 Water stressed condition

In view of the declining “Per Capita water availability” in the country, the Union Government is taking measures for both ‘demand-side’ management as well early development of viable ‘supply side’ solutions.

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