The Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17) Document inter-alia indicates that agriculture consumes around 80% of our country’s available water resources at present. The National Commission for Integrated Water Resources Development (NCIWRD) in its Report (1999) had assessed the water requirement for Irrigation as 78%, 72% and 68% of the total water requirement for the years 2010, 2025 and 2050 respectively. The water requirement for different uses assessed by the NCIWRD for the year 2010, 2025 and 2050 is  Annexed.

Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) constituted under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, (1986) regulates, controls and manages the ground water resources of the country. CGWA has notified 162 blocks/talukas/areas for regulation of ground water development in the country in which construction of new tube well is banned and permission is accorded only for drinking water purpose by authorized officers. However, to regulate the ground water withdrawal by industries, they are required to take ‘No Objection Certificate’ for withdrawal of ground water as per the conditions laid in guidelines of CGWA. Besides, a Model Bill has been circulated to all the States/Union Territories to enable them to enact ground water legislation for its regulation and development. 

     In addition activities like mass awareness and training programmes, painting competition, displaying models in exhibitions and fairs, printing of Meghdoot cards, display of hoardings at prominent public places etc are regularly being taken up by Ministry of Water Resources.  Government of India has declared year 2013 as Water Conservation Year in which several awareness activities like workshops, training programmes, publicity in print and electronic media, talk shows competition etc. are being organised on water conservation and its sustainable management.

(e) & (f) The National Water Policy, 2012 has inter-alia recommended that ‘water, particularly, groundwater, needs to be managed as a community resource held, by the state, under public trust doctrine to achieve food security, livelihood, and equitable and sustainable development for all.’

This information was given by Union Water Resources Minister Shri Harish Rawat  in written reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today.

******

ST/-

Annexure

Water Requirement (High Demand Scenario) for Different Uses for the Years 2010, 2025 and 2050

(Assessed by NCIWRD)

(Quantity in Billion Cubic Meters)