Question : PROTECTION OF RIVERS

(a) whether any master plan has been formulated to conserve the endangered rivers of the country;

(b) if so, the number of such rivers revived in the country, till date;

(c) whether Khan and Saraswati rivers of Indore district of Madhya Pradesh are near extinction;

(d) if so, whether any conservation plan has been formulated by the State or Central Government in this regard; and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has formulated any action plan to destroy the illegal constructions at the river banks and to prevent their recurrence in the future; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a) & (b)Conservation of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central and State Governments. Ministry of Environment & Forests supplements the efforts of the State Governments in abatement of pollution in rivers under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). NRCP presently covers polluted stretches of 41 rivers in 191 towns spread over 20 States. However, Central Government do not have specific information about number of rivers revived.

(c) & (d) As per details provided by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Khan river in Madhya Pradesh has been covered under NRCP and pollution abatement works of Rs. 40.19 crore have been sanctioned for implementation, on a cost sharing basis between the Central and State Government, in Indore town of Madhya Pradesh. 90 mld (million litres per day) of sewage treatment capacity has been created. Presently, River Saraswati is not covered under the Plan.

(e) & (f) State Governments take necessary action to check the illegal constructions at the river banks.