(a) the per capita availability of water in the country at present;
(b) the reasons behind the decline of per capita availability of water, if any; and
(c) the measures taken by the Government to address the same?
(a) the per capita availability of water in the country at present;
(b) the reasons behind the decline of per capita availability of water, if any; and
(c) the measures taken by the Government to address the same?
THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION, ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS AND SHIPPING
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO*260 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.01.2018 REGARDING “PER CAPITA AVAILABILITY OF WATER”.
(a) & (b) The average annual water availability of any region or country is largely dependent upon hydro-meteorological and geological factors and is generally constant. As per National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development (NCIWRD) report, the total water availability of India received through precipitation is about 4000 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) per annum. After evaporation, 1869 BCM water is available as natural runoff. Due to geological and other factors, the utilizable water availability is limited to 1137 BCM per annum comprising 690 BCM of surface water and 447 BCM of replenshiable ground water. The average annual per capita availability of water in years 2001 and 2011 was assessed as 1820 cubic meters and 1545 cubic meters respectively.
The average annual per capita water availability in the country as a whole is reducing progressively due to increase in population.
(c) Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources to ensure sustainability and availability are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, the Central Government 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 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
The National Water Policy (2012) formulated by Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, inter-alia, advocates conservation, development and management of water resources and highlights the need for augmenting the availability of water through rain water harvesting, recycle and reuse of waste water, use of efficient agricultural practices and other management measures.
The Government of India has also formulated a National Perspective Plan for Water Resources Development which envisages transfer of water from surplus basins to water deficit basins. The inter-basin transfer proposals envisage additional utilization of available water to bring additional area under irrigation.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under this Ministry has also prepared a conceptual document entitled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” during 2013. The Master Plan envisages construction of 1.11 crore rain water harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the Country at an estimated cost of Rs. 79,178 Crores to harness 85 BCM of water. The augmented ground water resources will enhance the availability of water for drinking, domestic, industrial and irrigation purpose. The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.
CGWB has also undertaken Aquifer Mapping and Management programme during XII Plan, under the scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation. The Aquifer Mapping is aimed at delineating aquifer disposition and their characterization for preparation of aquifer/area specific ground water management plans. These management plans will be shared with the respective State Governments for taking appropriate corrective measures.
CGWB has been organizing mass awareness programmes in the Country to promote rain water harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water, including in urban areas.
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has issued advisories to States and UTs to take measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge to ground water/rain water harvesting. 30 States/UTs have made rain water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulations or by including provisions in Building bye-laws or through suitable Government Orders.
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