Question : SHORTFALL OF WATER IN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS OF MAHARASHTRA

(a) whether residential schools in Panchgani hill station are facing acute water crisis due to ban on selling of water by tankers in the eco-sensitive zone of Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra;

(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) whether proposal for identifying commercial wells for supply of water to residential schools is pending before the monitoring committee on eco-sensitive zone; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to identify the wells by the Government?

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE)

(a) & (b) The water crisis in Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani in Maharashtra is due to appreciable drop in the ground water table of the region resulting from indiscriminate drawal of water for commercial purpose such as hotels, swimming pools etc., There is no ban on the supply of water by tankers to residential schools in this area. The High Level Monitoring Committee for Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani has issued instructions that water from bore wells should only be used for drinking, domestic use and for genuine agricultural purposes. Hotels, lodges and schools have been instructed to set up rain water conservation structure and waste water recycling system.

(c) & (d) All proposals for identifying commercial wells for supply of water to residential schools have been approved by the High Level Monitoring Committee for Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani Eco-sensitive zone on 9th December, 2003.