Question : Revival of Dried Water Bodies

(a) whether the Government has taken note of drying up of various lakes, ponds and other water bodies across the country including Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is aware of illegal encroachment of such dried water bodies, if so, the details thereof along with the action taken against the encroachers;

(c) whether the Government has enacted or proposes to enact any law to deal with such encroachment and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore;

(d) whether the Government proposes to put in place a comprehensive mechanism to revive these water bodies through watershed development plan in consultation with the State Governments; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) & (b) Variation in monsoon season, unplanned development around water bodies, disposal of untreated or partially treated sewage, dumping of wastes, etc are the major reasons for degradation of water bodies across the country including Rajasthan, resulting in their drying and encroachment.


(c) to (e) The Central Government has notified the Wetlands (Conservation & Management) Rules, 2017 for conservation and management of wetlands & to encourage ‘wise use’ of wetlands. For this purpose, different activities in and around the water bodies are being regulated.

This Ministry is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) for conservation and management of wetlands in the country. The scheme aims at holistic conservation and restoration of wetlands including lakes for achieving the desired water quality enhancement, besides improvement in biodiversity and ecosystem through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach and a common regulatory framework.

Under the scheme of NPCA, financial assistance is provided on sharing basis between Central Government and respective State Governments for various activities such as interception, diversion and treatment of wastewater, shoreline protection, lake front development, in-situ cleaning i.e. de-silting & de-weeding, storm water management, bioremediation, catchment area treatment, lake beautification, survey & demarcation, bio-fencing, fisheries development, weed control, biodiversity conservation, education and awareness creation, community participation, etc.

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