THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)
(a) to (c) Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is a continuous process. It is the responsibility of the States/Union Territories (UTs), Local Bodies and Industrial Units to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents to the prescribed norms before discharging into river and other water bodies, coastal waters or land to prevent and control of pollution therein. For conservation of rivers, this Ministry supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing financial assistance for taking up works relating to interception & diversion of raw sewage, laying of sewer lines, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation facilities, improved wood crematoria, river front/bathing ghat development, etc. for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for river Ganga and its tributaries and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for rivers other than Ganga basins.
Proposals for pollution abatement works in the towns along polluted river stretches are received from the States/UTs from time to time for consideration under NRCP and sanctioned based on their
prioritization, conformity with NRCP guidelines, availability of plan funds, etc. Pollution abatement works in 6 Southern States have been taken up under NRCP which includes Krishna & Kaveri. State wise details are given at Annexure.
(d) to (f) There are two types of rivers in the country viz; perennial and non perennial rivers. The perennials are those rivers, in which water remains available throughout the year and non-perennials are those rivers which are rain fed rivers and in which water flows only during rainfall period. The flow in a river is a dynamic parameter and depends on many sub-parameters such as rainfall, its distribution duration and intensity in catchment, health of catchment area, vegetation and withdrawals/utilization of water.
Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) in OA 498 of 2015 has directed all States to maintain a minimum environmental flow of 15-20% of the average lean season flow in their rivers. The notified environmental flow regime is monitored and supervised by the Central Water Commission (CWC).
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in the Standards Terms of Reference (ToR) for conducting Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) studies for any proposed River Valley & Hydroelectric Project have mentioned the norms for release of environmental flows, which is 30% in monsoon season, 20% in lean season and 25% in non-monsoon & non-lean season, to be followed corresponding to flow of 90% dependable year. These norms along with the site specific requirements for environmental flow releases as per the studies are then stipulated in the Environment Clearance (EC) letter for compliance.
The Regional Offices of MoEF&CC and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) along with the State Pollution Control Boards concerned have been mandated for monitoring of all the environmental aspects of the Hydro Power Projects, including maintenance/release of environmental flows.
Besides, in compliance of the orders of NGT in Original Application No.673/2018 regarding rejuvenation of polluted river stretches in the country, States/UTs are required to implement approved action plans for restoration of the polluted stretches in their jurisdiction as identified by CPCB and published in their report of 2018, within the stipulated timelines. The action plans covers aspects such as Source control (Municipal sewage management, Industrial pollution control, Waste management), River catchment/Basin Management (Adoption of good irrigation practices, Utilization of treated sewage,
Ground water recharge aspects), Flood Plain Zone protection and its management (Setting up of bio-diversity parks, Removal of encroachments, Rain water harvesting, Plantation on both sides of the river), and Watershed management, including Ecological/Environmental Flow (E-Flow) for ensuring uninterrupted flow in the rivers. As per the orders of NGT, regular review on implementation of action plans is undertaken in the States/UTs and also at Central level.
Government has also taken up campaigns like the "Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain" to encourage people to conserve rainwater, rejuvenate rivulets and rivers etc to help flow in the rivers during lean periods
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Annexure
Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1493 to be answered on the 10th February,2022 regarding ‘Beautification of Krishna and Kaveri Rivers’.
State-wise details under National River Conservation Plan
(excluding Ganga and its tributaries)
(Rs. in crore)
S. No. State Rivers covered Sanctioned Cost Funds Released by Central Govt. STP capacity created (in mld)
1 Andhra Pradesh Godavari 21.78 259.80 30.00
2 Telangana Godavari &Musi 345.72 621.46
3 Karnataka Tunga, Bhadra, Tungabhadra, Cauvery &Pennar 66.25 47.83 41.64
4 Maharashtra Godavari, Tapi, Krishna, Panchganga&Mula-Mutha 1182.86 208.95 260.00
5. Tamil Nadu Adyar, Cooum, Vaigai, Vennar, Cauvery &Tamrabarani 908.13 623.65 477.66
6. Kerala Pamba 18.45 7.78 4.50
Total 2543.19 1148.01 1435.26
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