Question : DECLINE IN WATER LEVEL

(a) whether any mechanism exists with the Government to check the water level at various places in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof for the last three years, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the water level in the country is continuously declining for several years causing drought like conditions in various parts of the country;

(d) if so, the preventive measures taken up and schemes proposed by the Government in this regard, State-wise; and

(e) whether the Government proposes any scheme for the most neglected areas with respect to irrigation and drinking water in the country including Mirzapur and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b) Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR carries out ground water monitoring, four times a year, on regional scale through a network of obser- vation wells in the Country. State/UT-wise number of ground water observation wells for last three years are given at Annexure-I.
(c) Ground water monitoring data of CGWB for Pre-Monsoon-2014, compared with decadal mean of Pre-Monsoon (2004-2013), indi- cates that out of total wells analyzed, around 39% wells are showing decline in ground water levels in various parts of the Country. Decline in ground water levels is observed in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Daman & Diu, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. However, as per ground water level data, situation cannot be termed as drought like situation.

(d) Government of India promotes water conservation measures in the Country by supplementing efforts of State Governments for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources by way of technical and financial support through various schemes. Further, CGWB has prepared a conceptual document entitled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” during 2013, which envisages construction of different types of Artificial Recharge and Rain Water Harvesting structures in the Country by harnessing surplus monsoon runoff to augment ground water resources. The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.

CGWB has also undertaken the Demonstrative Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge Projects during XI Plan under the Scheme of “Ground Water Management & Regulation”. The project aimed at facilitating State Governments for replicating recharge projects in similar hydrogeological environment. During the XI Plan, an amount of Rs.99.87crore was approved for construction of artificial recharge structures in 22 States. State-wise details are given at Annexure-II.

(e) With a view to encourage the completion of ongoing Minor Irrigation (MI) projects and help States in creation of irrigation potential, Central Government provides financial assistance under the Surface MI Schemes of AIBP(Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme) and for revival of Water Bodies under the Scheme of RRR(Repair, Renovation & Restoration). Till date, no proposal for surface MI schemes or for revival of Water Bodies under RRR for Mirzapur district has been received from the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Further, Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation (MoDWS) has informed that financial & technical assistance is provided to all States under the NRDWP(National Rural Drinking Water Programme) to supplement efforts of the States to provide adequate safe drinking water to the rural population. State Governments are vested with powers to plan, approve and implement drinking water supply schemes.