(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-item captioned “U.S. proposes global alliance on water security†appearing in the Hindustan Times dated April 15, 2000;
(b) if so, the facts of the matter reported therein;
(c) the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(d) the concrete steps taken by the Government to remove water scarcity in each State?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES
(SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)
(a) & (b) Yes Sir, as per the report published in Hindustan
Times on 15th April, 2000 “The US has proposed a global
alliance for water security as inter-state competition for
water intensifies in the 21st century, with the pressures of
population growth and economic development, giving rise to
unpredictable and potentially unmanageable regional
conflicts. The proposal for the alliance was made when US
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright spoke in Washington on
April 10 in advance of the 30th anniversary of Earth Day
2000 on April 22â€.
(c) & (d) India receives a rainfall of about 4000 billion
cu.m. every year. Out of this about 1869 billion cu. m.
appears as runoff in the various rivers of the country
including replenishable Ground Water of around 432 billion
cu.m. The requirement of the country, upto 2025 AD can be
met through optimal utilisation of these renewable water
resources
The per capita water availability is reducing
progressively due to increasing population. It is estimated
that the average annual per capita water availability may
come down from about 1869 cu.m. at present to 1350 cu.m. by
2025 A.D. at the National level. According to international
criteria any situation of yearly water availability or less
than 1000 cu.m. per capita is considered as scarcity
condition. Therefore, even by the end of 2025 A.D., India is
not likely to face water scarcity in some parts of the
country.
Government of India is also promoting Rainwater
Harvesting through Watershed Management Programme,
Artificial Recharge of Ground Water and Roof-top Rainwater
Harvesting under the sector reform project of Accelerated
Rural Water Supply Programme under the Ministry of Rural
Development for which technical and financial assistance is
provided to the State Governments and other implementing
agencies. Central Ground Water Board has also taken up pilot
studies for artificial ground water recharge.