RENEWAL OF GROUND WATER RESOURCES
RAJYA SABHA
The National Water
Policy adopted by Government of India in the year 2002 envisages
that exploitation of ground water resources should be so regulated
as not to exceed the recharging possibilities. It further envisages
that the detrimental environmental consequences of over-exploitation
of ground water need to be effectively prevented by the Central
and State Governments and ground water recharge projects should
be developed and implemented for improving the availability of
ground water resources. The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB),
under the Ministry of Water Resources has prepared a report entitled
"Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater", which envisages
recharge of 36453 Million Cubic Metre volume of surplus monsoon
run-off, through construction of 39.25 lakh artificial recharge
and roof top rain water harvesting structures. The report also
outlines broad framework about feasibility of these recharge structures
in various parts of the country. This report is a conceptual document.
A centrally sponsored scheme for "Artificial Recharge to Groundwater
and Rain Water Harvesting" at an estimated cost of Rs. 175 crore
has also been proposed for approval for 10th Plan.
This information
was given by the Union Minister of State for Water Resources,
Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty in a written reply to a question from
Shri Shankar Roy Chowdhury in the Rajya Sabha today.
