**Executive Summary**
This is an unstarred question (No. 928) answered on February 5, 2026, in Lok Sabha regarding assessments of depleting groundwater levels. It addresses the Minister of Jal Shakti concerning groundwater assessments, the progress of the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY), supply-side structures, data-driven tools, interventions, and revival steps. There are no specific action items or deadlines mentioned in this document.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Groundwater Assessment:**
* The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) annually assesses dynamic groundwater resources in coordination with State Governments.
* Comparison of data from 2017 to 2025 indicates improved groundwater situation, with 'Safe' Assessment Units (AUs) increasing from 62.6% to 73.14% and 'Over-Exploited' Units decreasing from 17.2% to 10.8%.
* Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency (Odisha), Dakshina Kannada district (Karnataka), and Jammu & Kashmir are categorized as 'Safe' in both assessment years, while Chikkaballapur district (Karnataka) is 'Over-Exploited'.
* **Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY):**
* It is a community-led groundwater management pilot scheme implemented in 8,203 water-stressed Gram Panchayats across 7 states.
* Includes community-led Water Budgeting and Water Security Plans (WSPs) and the construction of about 83,000 artificial recharge and water conservation structures.
* More than 9 lakh hectares of land was brought under efficient irrigation practices leading to improvement in ground water levels in 180 Blocks out of 229.
* ABY was not implemented in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
* **Government Efforts for Water Augmentation:**
* Mainly channeled through Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), a time-bound and mission-mode program conducted annually since 2019.
* Around 6.66 lakh works have been constructed/rejuvenated in Rajasthan since 2021, with approximately 12,600 in Pali district.
* **Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB):**
* Launched to make rainwater harvesting a mass movement.
* More than 4.16 lakh structures completed in Rajasthan and over 3,800 in Pali district.
* **Technological Interventions:**
* Employs digital and technological tools for mapping, monitoring, and planning in the groundwater sector.
* Uses Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for aquifer mapping.
* Utilizes Digital Water Level Recorders (DWLRs) and the INGRESS platform for groundwater resource assessment.
* **Other Initiatives:**
* The Catch The Rain campaign has coordinated around 1.23 cr water conservation and artificial recharge works.
* More than 40 lakh structures have been created/revived.
* Mission Amrit Sarovar aims at developing and rejuvenating water bodies; about 69,000 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed/rejuvenated.
* Per Drop More Crop Scheme focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at the farm level.
* NAQUIM 2.0 focuses on water-stressed and quality-affected pockets.
* AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0 Schemes aim to improve the quality of life in cities and ensure water security.
* CGWB prepared Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020.
* Construction and revival of water conservation structures like ponds and tanks is emphasized.
* **State Government Responsibility:**
* Sustainable development and management of water and groundwater resources is primarily the responsibility of State Governments.
* Central Government facilitates the State Government by way of technical and financial assistance through various schemes and projects.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Central Government (Ministry of Jal Shakti):**
**Impact:** Responsible for overall policy, planning, and coordination of groundwater management efforts at the national level. They are also responsible for providing financial and technical assistance to state governments.
**Action Required:** Facilitate and support state governments in implementing various groundwater management schemes and initiatives.
* **State Governments:**
**Impact:** Primarily responsible for the sustainable development and management of water and groundwater resources within their respective jurisdictions.
**Action Required:** Implement and enforce regulations for groundwater use, promote water conservation practices, and monitor groundwater levels.
* **Local Communities (Villages/Cities):**
**Impact:** Affected by the availability and quality of groundwater resources, especially in over-exploited areas. Benefit from community-led water management programs like ABY.
**Action Required:** Participate in water budgeting and planning processes, adopt water conservation measures, and maintain water harvesting structures.
* **Farmers:**
**Impact:** Heavily reliant on groundwater for irrigation, especially in regions with limited surface water resources.
**Action Required:** Adopt efficient irrigation techniques (e.g., micro-irrigation), participate in water conservation programs, and use groundwater sustainably.
* **Researchers and Technical Agencies (CGWB, BISAG-N, etc.):**
**Impact:** Involved in groundwater assessment, monitoring, and research activities, providing data and technical support for decision-making.
**Action Required:** Conduct groundwater surveys, analyze data, and provide technical guidance for groundwater management.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The central ministry responsible for water resources, river development, and Ganga rejuvenation, directly answering the parliamentary question.
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY): A central scheme for community-led groundwater management in water-stressed areas. Its progress is specifically inquired about in the question.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): Flagship campaign for augmenting water resources, particularly mentioned with associated initiatives Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB), and JSA: Catch the Rain
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): The central body responsible for assessing groundwater resources, using NAQUIM and Digital Water Level Recorders (DWLRs).
Karnataka: One of the states where the impact of depleting groundwater levels and the progress of the Atal Bhujal Yojana are specifically questioned.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 928
ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026
ASSESSMENTS REGARDING DEPLETING GROUNDWATER LEVELS
928. Smt. MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH:
SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:
SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP:
Dr. MANNA LAL RAWAT:
SHRI ANANTA NAYAK:
SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG:
SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:
SHRI P C MOHAN:
SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:
SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:
SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN:
SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:
SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:
SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:
SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY:
SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:
SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT:
SHRI AVIMANYU SETHI:
SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR:
Dr. K SUDHAKAR:
SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:
SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:
SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the recent assessments indicate further depletion of groundwater levels in critical over-exploited
blocks of the country, particularly in Odisha including Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency, Karnataka
including Dakshina Kannada and Chikkaballapur districts and in/around Bengaluru, Union Territory of
Jammu and Kashmir and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the manner in which the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) has progressed in the participating States including
Karnataka and UT of Jammu and Kashmir during the last five years;
1(c) the number of supply-side structures that have been constructed/renovated for water conservation and
groundwater recharge in Rajasthan, particularly in Pali Lok Sabha Constituency;
(d) whether the data-driven tools are being used for aquifer mapping, groundwater monitoring and
assessment including digital platforms and remote sensing in the country, particularly in Odisha including
Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency and Karnataka including Bengaluru and if so, the details thereof;
(e) the corrective and remedial measures planned for recharge of over-exploited aquifers and groundwater
sustainability in the country including Rajasthan, Bengaluru region and Nabarangpur Lok Sabha
Constituency;
(f) whether the Government has undertaken any interventions and district-specific assessment of
groundwater depletion, aquifer stress, drinking-water sustainability and the targeted interventions proposed
or implemented in the coastal districts of Odisha, particularly Bhadrak and Balasore districts and
Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency and if so, the details thereof along with the outcomes observed so far;
and
(g) the steps being taken to revive water conservation structures such as ponds, etc. associated with religious
institutions such as temples?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) Dynamic Ground Water Resources of the country are being assessed annually by the Central Ground
Water Board (CGWB) in co-ordination with the State Governments. Upon comparison of data between
years 2017 and 2025, it is seen that overall ground water situation of the country has steadily improved with
percentage of ‘Safe’ Assessment Units (AUs, which are generally Blocks/Taluks/Tehsils, or valleys in hilly
regions) increasing from 62.6% to 73.14% and that of ‘Over-Exploited’ Units decreasing from 17.2% to
10.8%. Further, all Assessment Units of Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency of Odisha (spanning over
Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri districts), Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka and Union
Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have been categorized as ‘Safe’ in both assessment years. However, all
Assessment Units of Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka were falling under ‘Over-Exploited’ category
during both years.
(b) Atal Bhujal Yojana was one of its kind pilot scheme for community led participatory management of
ground water implemented in 8,203 water stressed Gram Panchayats (GPs) across 7 States viz. Haryana,
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra & Karnataka. During its tenure,
community led Water Budgeting and preparation of Water Security Plans (WSPs) was done and annually
updated for all participating GPs. Further, around 83,000 artificial recharge and water conservation
structures were constructed and more than 9 lakh hectares of land was brought under efficient irrigation
practices in the scheme implementation area, leading to improvement in ground water levels in 180 Blocks
out of 229. Atal Bhujal Yojana was not implemented in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
2(c) Efforts of the Central government for augmenting the water/groundwater resources of the country, are
mainly channeled through the flagship campaign of Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA). JSA is a time bound and
mission mode programme being conducted annually since 2019 by the M/o Jal Shakti, covering both rural
and urban areas. As per the data available on JSA dashboard, around 6.66 lakh such works have been
constructed/rejuvenated in Rajasthan since 2021, with around 12,600 in Pali district.
To further strengthen the momentum of Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) has
been launched with a vision to make rain water harvesting a mass movement in the country. Under this
campaign, so far more than 4.16 lakh structures have been completed in Rajasthan and more than 3,800 for
Pali district, through convergence.
(d) On the technological front, the government is employing a range of state of the art digital and
technological tools for all round mapping, monitoring and planning in ground water sector, which cover the
entire country, including Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency and Karnataka, including Bengaluru.
Some of the prominent ones that can be cited are, use of high end Remote Sensing (RS) and
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for aquifer mapping under NAQUIM programme of CGWB, High
resolution heli-borne surveys, creation of a nation-wide network of Digital Water Level Recorders
(DWLRs) with telemetry for real time ground water data generation and sharing, creation of web-based
INGRESS platform for ground water resource assessment, collaborations with apex technological agencies
like (BISAG -N) and Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad for generating detailed aquifer maps and
identifying recharge zones etc.
(e) & (f) The endeavours of the Government for aquifer mapping, ground water monitoring, assessment and
preparation of suitable management plans cover the entire country, including Rajasthan, Bengaluru region,
Nabarangpur Lok Sabha constituency, coastal districts of Odisha, including Bhadrak and Balasore districts.
However, it may be appreciated that ‘Water’ being a State subject, sustainable development and
management of water and groundwater resources is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments.
The Central Government, on its part, facilitates the efforts of the State Governments by way of technical and
financial assistance through its various schemes and projects. The major steps taken in this direction are
provided below:
i. Under the annual mission mode Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain campaign
completion/rejuvenation of around 1.23 cr water conservation and artificial recharge works
has been coordinated through convergence in the country since 2021 (through convergence
with MGNREGS alone), which has played a key role in enhancing the sustainability of
ground water resources. Further, under the JSJB mass movement for scaling up ground water
recharge and rain water harvesting, more than 40 lakh structures have been created/revived so
far. Moreover, under JSA, 712 Jal Shakti Kendras (JSKs) have been established at district
level and 640 District Water Conservation Plans have been prepared.
3ii. Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched by the Government of India which aimed at developing
and rejuvenating water bodies in each district of the country. As an outcome nearly 69,000
Amrit Sarovars have been constructed/rejuvenated in the country leading to enhanced water
storage and ground water recharge.
iii. Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DA & FW) is implementing Per Drop More
Crop Scheme since 2015-16, which focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level
through Micro Irrigation leading to conservation of ground water.
iv. After the successful completion of NAQUIM 1.0, under which aquifers were mapped for the
entire 25 lakh sq. kms mappable area of the country, providing a macro-level understanding of
our nation's groundwater resources, the Central Ground Water Board has now embarked upon
NAQUIM 2.0, focusing on water stressed and quality affected pockets. Under NAQUIM 2.0
state-of-the-art technologies are harnessed, for generating highly detailed, scientific data
which serve as an important tool for making informed decisions for sustainable groundwater
management.
v. With an objective to ensure sustainability of water resources in urban areas, M/o Housing and
Urban Affairs (MoHUA), GoI, has been implementing AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0 Schemes,
which are major initiatives to improve the quality of life in cities, enabling them to become
'self-reliant' and 'water secure'. Rejuvenation of urban water bodies is an important thrust area
under the scheme.
vi. Under Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM) of MoHUA, priority cities have been selected for
addressing groundwater depletion and water logging, by taking up over 35 pilot recharge
structures in 6 cities in various parts of the country.
vii. CGWB has also prepared the Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020, for
the entire country providing a broad outline for construction of rain water harvesting and
artificial recharge structures in the country. The Master plan has been shared with State/UT
administrations for taking up suitable field interventions.
(g) Construction and revival of water conservation structures like ponds, tanks, bawdis etc. is one of the key
pillars of the Government's strategy to enhance water storage and availability and augment ground water
recharge. Through various programmes like Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari, Mission Amrit
Sarovar and Natural Resource management (NRM) component of MGNREGS, consistent efforts are being
made to revive traditional water bodies, including those associated with religious institutions, through
active community involvement, for maximizing the benefits for the entire village/locality.
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