(a) whether the Government is considering any action plan for revival of old and vanishing water bodies especially small rivers and ponds and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has conducted any survey regarding the water bodies like old ponds and small rivers which were in use 20 years ago but have dried up now; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) Works related to water resources development & management are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priorities. In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to State Governments to encourage sustainable development and efficient management of water resources through various schemes and programmes such as scheme for Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
The Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies scheme aims at increasing irrigation potential by improvement and restoration of water bodies along with other multiple objectives like enhancing the tank storage capacity, ground water recharge, increased availability of drinking water, improvement of catchment of tank commands etc.
MoEF & CC implements National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) for conservation and management of identified lakes and wetlands in the country on cost sharing basis between Central Government and respective State/UT Governments. The scheme covers various activities such as interception, diversion and treatment of wastewater, shoreline protection, lake front development, in-situ cleaning i.e. desilting & de-weeding, storm water management, bioremediation, catchment area treatment, lake beautification, survey & demarcation, bio fencing, fisheries development, weed control, biodiversity conservation, education and awareness creation, community participation, etc.
Additionally, renovation of traditional water bodies including desilting of irrigation tanks and other water bodies are permissible under MGNREGA.
(b) & (c) As per the information collected in the 5th Minor Irrigation Census with reference year 2013-14, the total number of water bodies used for Minor Irrigation in the country was 5,16,303. Out of these, 53,396 water bodies are not in use for minor irrigation schemes due to various reasons such as non-availability of adequate power/fuel, mechanical breakdown, less discharge of water, storage not filled up fully, siltation of storage, salinity, dried up, destroyed beyond repair, etc.
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