Nationwide Programme/ Scheme for Water Conservation

Ministry of Jal Shakti has taken up a nationwide campaign “Jal Shakti Abhiyan - Catch the Rain” (JSA:CTR) with the theme “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls”  for creating appropriate rainwater harvesting structures  in urban and rural areas of all the districts in the country, with people's active participation, during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods.  The campaign, primarily focusing on saving and conserving rainwater, was launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister on 22 March, 2021, the world water day. Creation of  new and maintenance of old Rainwater harvesting structures; revival of traditional rainwater harvesting structures like stepwells etc; enumeration, geo-tagging and making inventory of all water bodies; preparation of scientific water conservation plans; setting up of Jal Shakti Kendras and intensive afforestation are part of the campaign.   

Government of India has been implementing various schemes and programmes like  Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal); Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee  Yojana (PMKSY); Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS); Watershed Development Management; Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transforming (AMRUT); Unified Building Bye Laws (UBBL); Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL), 2016; Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation & Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014 and  National Water Policy 2012 for addressing different aspects of water conservation.   

Different methods of water conservation are applicable for urban and rural areas depending upon the primary demand and terrain. In urban areas, creation of roof top rainwater harvesting structures, reuse of treated wastewater etc. is focused upon to minimize dependence on groundwater.  In rural areas, watershed development activities like creation and renovation of water bodies, check dams,  farm ponds, desilting of tanks etc. and improving water use efficiency in agriculture by crop diversification & using efficient irrigation methods are primarily undertaken for water conservation. 

Rainwater harvesting and conservation alongwith decentralised storage of water is helpful in mitigating the floods.  Rapid urbanisation has led to increase in impervious surface areas causing reduction in percolation of rainwater into the ground.  This results in overflow of storm drains causing flooding, water logging and damage to life and property. Decentralised harvesting of rainwater helps in managing excess rainwater.  Recharging the groundwater with the water harvested/conserved can help in increasing the groundwater table which may prevent reoccurrence of drought.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Food Processing Industries, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

*****

AS/SK