(a) whether the Government has conducted or proposes to conduct detailed study of rising heat and depleting source of water due to global warming; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the modern technologies proposed to be used for the said purpose?
THE MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND
MINISTRY EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a)& (b) Central Ground Water Board is periodically monitoring the ground water levels throughout the Country on a regional scale, through a network of monitoring wells.
The Dynamic Ground Water Resources of the country are also being periodically assessed jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State Governments.As per the 2017 assessment, out of the total 6881 assessment units (Block/ Taluks/ Mandals/ watersheds/ Firkas) in the country, 1186 units in 17 States/UTs have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’ where the total Current Annual Ground Water Extraction is more than Annual Extractable Ground Water Resource.
Central Ground Water Board is implementing a nationwide programme of “National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM)” for mapping of aquifers (Water bearing formations), their characterization and development of aquifer management plans to facilitate sustainable development of ground water resources. So far about 1l lakhs sq.km have been covered. Aquifer maps and management plans have been shared with the respective State Government agencies.Public Interaction Programs are being organised at grass root level for disseminating the tenets of the Aquifer Management Plans for the benefit of the stakeholders.
The Research &Development Division, Project Planning Wing, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation wing of Central Water Commission (CWC) have awarded studies on impact of climate change on water resources to some of the premier educational institutes. The studies are to be implemented under the supervision of Indian National Committee on Climate Change (INCCC).
S.No. Name of the Study Name of the Institute
1 Impact Assessment of Climate Change on Hydro-meteorological processes and water resources of Mahanadi basin IISc Bangalore &
IIT Bhubaneswar
2 Climate Change Impact Studies for Rajasthan (Area of Inland Drainage and Mahi Basin) MNIT Jaipur, IIT Delhi &
Central University, Rajasthan
3 Luni River Basin Climate and Hydrological Modelling IIT Jodhpur
4 Impact of Climate Change on water resources of Tapi Basin SVNIT Surat, MNIT Jaipur,& MANIT Bhopal
5 Impact of Climate Change on water resources of Sabarmati Basin IIT Gandhinagar and
SVNIT Surat
6 Impact of Climate Change on water resources in River Basins from Tadri to Kanyakumari IIT Mumbai, NIT Surakthal&
CWRDM Kozhikode
7 Effects of Climate Change and land use/land cover changes on spatial and temporal water availability in Subarnarekha basin IIT Kharagpur