As per seventh schedule of constitution of India (Article 246), ‘Water’ is a State subject, and it is the responsibility of the State/UTs to ensure the development of rivers within their jurisdiction. This Ministry supplements the efforts of State Governments on cost-sharing basis through various schemes.

Government has launched Namami Gange Programme (NGP) and National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for rejuvenation of river Ganga and its tributaries, and other rivers including rain-fed rivers. NGP provides support to States in river Ganga basin, namely, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Under NGP, diverse set of coordinated activities towards treatment of municipal sewage, treatment of industrial effluent, drain bio-remediation, river surface cleaning, rural sanitation, river front development, ghats and crematoria development, afforestation and biodiversity conservation, public outreach programme, etc have been undertaken. NRCP provides coverage to remaining States on cost-sharing basis between Central and State/Union Territories for plantation along rivers, improvement of ghats, setting up of improved crematoria as well as development of sewerage infrastructure.

The Ministry of Rural Development in consultation and agreement with the Department of Water Resources, RD & GR and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare has developed an actionable framework for Natural Resources Management (NRM), titled 'Mission Water Conservation" to ensure gainful utilization of funds. The framework strives to ensure synergies in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), erstwhile integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) now PMKSY Watershed Development Component and Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM), given their common objectives. Types of common works undertaken under these programmes/ schemes are water conservation and management, water harvesting, soil and moisture conservation, groundwater recharge, flood protection, embankments, land development, Command Area Development & Watershed Management.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and climate Change has also released Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for rejuvenation of thirteen major rivers, namely, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Luni, Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, and Cauvery through forestry interventions. The activities focus on protection, afforestation, catchment treatment, ecological restoration, moisture conservation among others by developing river fronts, eco-parks and bringing awareness amongst the masses. The implementation of activities proposed under DPRs is with convergence of schemes of other line departments in the States and funding support from the Government of India. Luni river basin in Rajasthan with DPR cost of Rs.534.29 crore is also covered.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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