(a) whether a large number of water bodies in Tamil Nadu are
on the verge of extinction;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Union Government has conducted any survey
in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the corrective steps taken or proposed to be taken to
revive these bodies and save the existing water bodies?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES & MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)
(a) & (b) As per the information collected through Third Minor
Irrigation Census with reference year 2000-2001, published in 2005,
total number of water bodies in Tamil Nadu state were 38743, out of
which 7119 water bodies were reported to be not in use. These water
bodies include reservoir, pond and tank structures being used for
irrigation.
(c) & (d) Ministry of Water Resources conducts Minor Irrigation
Census through, State/ UT Govts.under Plan Scheme “ Rationalisation of
Minor Irrigation Statistics†once in Five years wherein information on
Minor Irrigation Structures is being collected.
(e) The Govt. of India launched a pilot scheme on Repair, Renovation
and Restoration (RRR) of water bodies in January, 2005 in different States
Accordingly, 1098 water bodies spread over 15 States were selected. The
works have been completed in 1085 water bodies under the scheme. 38 water
bodies in Villupuram dstrict and 8 water bodies in Sivagangai district in
Tamil Nadu were covered and a sum of Rs. 9.74 crore released during Tenth
Plan period under the scheme. The Govt. of India also approved the scheme
for Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of water bodies with two
components (i) one with external assistance with an outlay of Rs.1500 crore
and (ii) another with domestic support with an outlay of Rs.1250 crore for
implementation during XI Five Year Plan period. Under the scheme of RRR of
water bodies with external assistance, World Bank Loan Agreement has been
signed with state Govt. of Tamil Nadu for Rs. 2182 crore to restore 5763
water bodies having a CCA of 4 lakh hectares. In the absence of Detailed
Project Reports ( DPRs) from the State Govt. of Tamil Nadu as per guidelines,
no funds could be released to the State Govt. under the scheme of RRR of
water bodies with domestic support.