THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI)
(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.417 FOR REPLY ON 25.04.2005 REGARDING
AWARENESS OF WATER CONSERVATION
Long-term analysis of ground water levels by Central Ground
Water Board (CGWB), under the Ministry of Water Resources,
during the last two decades (1985-2004) indicates decline in
ground water level of more than 4 meters in some parts of 274
districts in 16 States. The main reasons for depletion in ground
water table are rapid urbanization, increasing demand for
agriculture, industrial and domestic purposes, change in
cropping pattern, excessive withdrawal of ground water, poor
rainfall etc. Lack of awareness among people towards water
conservation is also one of the reasons for depletion of water
table.
Water being a State subject, it is primarily the
responsibility of the concerned State Governments to take steps
to bring awareness among the people towards water conservation
and also to take steps to stop further depletion of water table
and for conservation of water. However, the following steps have
also been taken by the Union Government in this regard:-
(i) Rain Water Harvesting campaign has been launched keeping in
view the various target groups like youth and children, women,
farmers and villagers, policy and opinion makers. Publicity
through print media, telecasting of spots on the television,
broadcasting messages on radio, holding of seminars, workshops,
conferences etc., have been undertaken for the purpose.
(ii) Organisation of mass awareness programmes and training
courses on rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge of
ground water.
(iii) With a view to create awareness among the people for
water conservation and preservation of water, the Ministry of
Water Resources and its other organizations organized various
activities. Ministry of Water Resources has participated in many
fairs, exhibitions etc., like India International Trade Fair-
2004 at Delhi, Kolkata Festival-2004 at Kolkata, MUNCIPALIKA-
2005 at Delhi and Tunneling Asia-2005 at Delhi etc. The Year
2003 was celebrated as Fresh Water Year all over India for
creating awareness among the people. Similarly, World Water
Day/Water Resources Day is also celebrated every year when
stress on mass awareness among people for water conservation is
given.
(iv) A scheme at an estimated cost of Rs. 175 crores for
Artificial Recharge to Ground Water and Rain Water Harvesting
for implementation during the remaining part of the X Five Year
Plan is under consideration.
(v) Circulation of Manual/Guidelines on Artificial Recharge of
Ground Water to the States/Union Territories to enable them to
formulate area specific artificial recharge schemes to check the
declining trend of ground water levels.
(vi) Central Ministries/Departments of Railways, Defence, Posts,
Telecommunications, Central Public Works Department and National
Highways Authority of India have been requested to provide roof
top rain water harvesting structures in the buildings under
their control.
(vii) States/UTs have been requested to provide water
harvesting structures in buildings under their administrative
control.
(viii) All the States/Union Territories have been requested
for advising the local bodies in their respective States/Union
Territories to allow rebate in property tax to persons, who
adopt roof top rainwater harvesting in their premises.
(ix) CGWB has provided technical guidance on rain water
harvesting to around 1800 agencies, including State Government
agencies, educational institutions, private entrepreneurs and
individuals.
(x) Launching of a website on Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting
(www.cgwb.net) to make aware and educate the public about
various techniques of harvesting rainwater and store it for
future use.
(xi) The Ministry of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation,
Government of India have amended Building Bye-laws, 1983, making
provision for water harvesting through storing of water run-off
including rain water in all new buildings on plots of 100 square
meters and above in Delhi mandatory. Similarly, State
Governments of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana,
Rajasthan and Kerala have made roof top rain water harvesting
mandatory in specified cases.
