(a) whether water experts have emphasized the need for a master plan on water conservation;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether a national workshop on ground water and water
management was held at Bhopal recently; and
(d) if so, the concrete plan formulated to bring a policy decision
on water conservation in the country?
THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI ARJUN CHARAN SETHI)
(a) to (c) Government of Madhya Pradesh had organized a National
Workshop on Ground Water Conservation and Management with special
reference to Madhya Pradesh on 16th & 17th June, 2002 at Bhopal.
The workshop inter alia called upon the state government to set up a
separate agency for the development, conservation and protection of
ground water and preparation of detailed master plan for ground
water recharge by the agency. Water being a state subject, the
development and management of all water resources has to be
undertaken by the state governments. As such, the Government of
Madhya Pradesh has to consider the recommendation.
(d) The National Water Policy, 2002 adopted recently lays
emphasis on conservation of water and calls for efficient
utilization of water. The Policy provides that the water resources
should be conserved and their availability augmented by maximizing
retention, eliminating pollution and minimizing losses by way of
selective linings in the conveyance system, modernization and
rehabilitation of existing systems including tanks, recycling and re-
use of treated effluents and adoption of traditional techniques like
mulching or pitcher irrigation and new techniques like drip and
sprinkler may be promoted, wherever feasible.