(a) the number of buildings which are equipped with the facility of water harvesting, water conservation and irrigation including Central and State Government’s offices, local self Government institutions, district and gram panchayats, Government corporations and companies;
(b) whether any scheme is under consideration for providing facility of water re-harvesting and recharging ground water in houses; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)
(a) to (c) As per information forwarded by Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, the Model Building Bye Laws, 2016, has been issued for guidance of the States/UTs which has a chapter on ‘Rainwater Harvesting’. 33 States/UTs have adopted the rainwater harvesting provisions. The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all the buildings. The implementation of the rainwater harvesting policy comes within the purview of the State Government/Urban Local Body / Urban Development Authority. As per Model Building Bye Laws- 2016, provision of rainwater harvesting is applicable to all residential plots above 100 sq.m.
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) constituted under Section 3(3) of The Environment Protection Act, 1986 has issued directives to the Chief Secretaries/Administrators of all States/UTs for adopting Artificial Recharge/ Rain Water Harvesting in all the Government Buildings. A Model Bill has also been circulated to all the States/UTs which, inter-alia, has provisions for rain water harvesting to enable them to enact ground water legislation for its regulation and management.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs is also participating actively in the Jal Shakti Abhiyan along with States / UTs/ ULBs to undertake water conservation measures and issued “Guidelines for Urban Water Conservation” to all the States / UTs.
Water being a State subject, initiatives on water management including conservation and artificial recharge to ground water in the Country is primarily States’ responsibility.
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