(a) whether the Central Ground Water Authority has suggested to make rain
water harvesting mandatory in all institutions and residential units;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has issued any instructions to this effect to all the State Governments;and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the various State Governments in this regard?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)
(a) to (d) The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) issued directions to all the Residential Group Housing
Societies / Institutions / Schools / Hotels / Industrial Establishments falling in the over-exploited and
critical areas (except in the water logged areas) in the country to adopt roof top rain water harvesting
systems in their premises latest by May 2010. The instructions of CGWA have been widely publicised through
Public Notices in newspapers. The CGWA has also issued necessary instructions to all the State Governments
having ‘over-exploited’ areas for taking necessary measures to adopt / promote artificial recharge to ground
water/rain water harvesting, conservation of ground water and to also include provision for roof top rain
water harvesting mandatory under the building bye-laws.
The State Governments have informed that various measures for promoting/adopting rain water harvesting by way
of changing building by-laws, implementing schemes and providing incentives have already been undertaken or
initiated.