(a) whether the Non-GovernmentalOrganizations (NGOs)/VoluntaryOrganizations (VOs) are engaged in thepreservation/revival and development ofwater bodies in the country including riverGanga;
(b) if so, the details thereof includingthe funds allocated, released and utilisedby them, during each of the last three yearsand the current year; and
(c) the mechanism put in place by theGovernment to monitor the utilization offunds for the purpose?
THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION (SUSHRI UMA BHARATI)
(a)to(c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 253 DUE FOR REPLY ON 24.07.2014 RAISED BY SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO AND SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI, MPs (LOK SABHA) REGARDING “REVIVAL OF WATER BODIES”.
(a)to(c) Ponds and water bodies in India have been developed by both the Government and non- Government Sector for water conservation to meet local requirements. Such water bodies are generally renovated and repaired by Government Departments, private owners, and non-government organizations based upon availability of resources.
The Ministry has launched a scheme of Repair, Renovation & Restoration of Water Bodies. Under this scheme, grant is provided to State governments for revival of public owned water bodies only. States are implementing revival of water bodies’ schemes in their States through their implementing agencies including NGOs. As per information available, Tamil Nadu has constituted a Task Force to support the renovation of Ooranies (water bodies, ponds). The Task Force has been constituted as a collaborative effort between the Government; Anna University, Chennai; Center for Environmental Studies; Center for Water Resources and the Dhan Foundation, an NGO, which has good experience in capacity building and renovation of irrigation tanks and Ooranies (traditional drinking water ponds), with people’s participation.
In so far as River Ganga is concerned, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has engaged ‘Centre for Environment and Education (CEE)’ an NGO for implementation of a project titled ‘Educating Schools and Communities for conserving habitat of Ganga River Dolphin’ under the World Bank assistance of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) programme. The project has been sanctioned for Rs. 1.28 Crore on 04.03.2014 under the programme. The progress is monitored through physical, and financial progress reports as well as Quarterly Utilization Certificates (UCs).