(a) whther the Government has formulated any action plan for water conservation and harvesting;
(b) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to encourage the persons and non-Governmental organisations engaged in conservation and harvesting of water;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to so far promote water conservation and harvesting; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government for water consumption under the Panchnad Project in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)
(a) to (c) Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments with the technical and financial assistance to them through various schemes and programmes of Central Government. National Water Policy inter-alia envisages conservation, protection and availability of water. Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016 and Central Ground Water Authority’s directions under Section 5 of “The Environment Protection Act, 1986 envisage mandatory rain water harvesting.
Ministry of Jal Shakti has taken various steps for water conservation and harvesting of water with community participation through different schemes viz. Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM) Programme, National Perspective Plan, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) Programme, monitoring of life storage of reservoirs, performance evaluation and water use efficiency studies of major and medium irrigation projects.
''Catch the Rain'' & ''Sahi Fasal'' campaigns, trainings, workshops, awards, seminars, water talks, exhibitions, fairs, competitions, webinars etc. for water conservation, water harvesting, water use efficiency and ground water management are also held with active participation of government departments, agencies, panchayats, non-government organisations etc. Department of Rural Development is taking up water conservation works under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
(d) At present, while there is no proposal for construction of dam in Pachnada Project, Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that Detailed Project Report of a Barrage Project at Pachnada has been completed.
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