Parliament Question: Dried up Water Sources in Himachal Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2008 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025 DRIED UP WATER SOURCES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH 2008. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the reports of dried up water sources and streams in Himachal Pradesh due to climate change, deforestation and excessive extraction of groundwater; (b) if so, the details and the number of streams, rivers and other water sources that have dried up during the last ten years in Himachal Pradesh, district-wise; (c) whether any studies or surveys have been conducted to assess the impact of drying water sources on agriculture, hydropower and drinking water supply in the region and if so, the details thereof; (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to rejuvenate water sources and enhance groundwater recharge in the region; and (e) whether any financial or technical assistance is being provided to the Himachal Pradesh Government for water conservation and management projects and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) & (b) Water being a State subject, the responsibility for augmentation, conservation, and efficient management of water resources primarily lies with the respective State Governments. According to the State Government of Himachal Pradesh, there is no reported cases of water sources drying up due to climate change, deforestation and excessive groundwater extraction. As per the Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India – 2024 report, all 10 groundwater assessment units in the state are categorized as safe. The state's annual groundwater recharge has been assessed at 1.11 billion cubic metres (bcm), with 1.01 bcm designated as annual extractable resources. The total annual groundwater extraction across all sectors stands at 0.36 bcm, resulting in a groundwater extraction rate of 35.48%, which is well within sustainable limits. (c) Water, being a State subject, places the primary responsibility for the augmentation, conservation, assessment and efficient management of water resources with the respective State Governments. However, since 2022, the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Government of India, in 1collaboration with State Governments, has been undertaking annual assessments of the country’s dynamic groundwater resources, including those of Himachal Pradesh. The CGWB carried out a Springshed Management Study in Kangra district as part of the Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2023–24. This study was undertaken in response to reports of declining spring discharge and the drying up of springs, which serve as vital sources for drinking, domestic, and irrigation needs in the region. A total of 233 springs were inventoried during the study, which identified three primary types: fractured/fissured springs (the majority), contact springs, and depression springs. The study found that most springs in the area are structurally controlled, with fractured and fissured springs predominantly aligned along major lineaments and fractures. Discharge measurements indicated a range of 60–200 litres per minute (LPM) during the pre-monsoon period, increasing to 60–300 LPM in the post-monsoon period. (d) 'Water' being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. However, the Central Government takes various steps to promote water conservation and rainwater harvesting across the country, including water-stressed regions, to augment water availability and recharge groundwater. The major initiatives in this regard include ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain’ (JSA: CTR) Campaign; Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal); Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS); Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY); Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transforming (AMRUT); Amrit Sarovar Mission; Unified Building Bye Laws (UBBL); Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL), 2016; Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation & Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014; Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), etc. Further, Watershed Development Component (WDC) of PMKSY 2.0 incorporates spring shed management as a core activity. Also, National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) includes component for community based spring shed development in Indian Himalayan region. The Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) in 2019 as a time-bound, mission-mode water conservation campaign in 256 water-stressed districts of the country. The Hon'ble Prime Minister launched “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” (JSA: CTR) in 2021 with the tagline “Catch the Rain – Where it Falls When it Falls” with five focused interventions (1) water conservation and rainwater harvesting (2) enumerating, geo- tagging & making inventory of all water bodies; preparation of scientific plans for water conservation based on it (3) Setting up of Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts (4) intensive afforestation and (5) awareness generation. The Abhiyan was scaled up to cover all districts, blocks, and municipalities across the country. The JSA:CTR 2022 campaign was launched with special focus on spring shed development for hilly areas. 2The 4th edition of the campaign was launched with theme “Source Sustainability for Drinking Water”, focusing on geo-tagging of all water sources of drinking water supply schemes. As reported by the Government of Himachal Pradesh, total 47 Ground Water and Spring Sources Geo-tagged under JSA:CTR 2023 campaign. In 2024 campaign 17,670 ground water and spring souces have been geotagged. To further strengthen JSA: CTR, “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari” (JSJB) initiative was launched under Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign in Surat, Gujarat on 06th September, 2024, which focuses on intensifying community mobilization to build low-cost rainwater harvesting structures in saturation mode. The details of works onboarded under JSA: CTR and JSJB by Government of Himachal Pradesh are attached at Annexure I and Annexure II respectively. (e): 'Water' being a state subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. However, in order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, Central Government provides technical and financial assistance to them through various schemes and programmes. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign emphasizes on convergent financing from various schemes of the Central, State and local bodies like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Per Drop More Crop, Repair, Renovation and Restoration Components under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Finance Commission grants etc. The "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" (JSJB) initiative focuses on intensifying community mobilization to build low-cost rainwater harvesting structures in saturation mode. The JSJB started by leveraging community funds, individual donations, Corporate Social Responsibility Funds etc. for construction of low-cost structures like borewells, recharge shafts, recharge pits, using locally available material, to harvest rainwater, to boost ground water level and provide local tailor-made solution to water issues. Furthermore, Jal Shakti Kendras (JSKs) have been established across districts, serving as dedicated resource and knowledge centers to provide technical guidance to locals and support district administration in implementation of rain water harvesting systems. 12 Jal Shakti Kendras have been established in Himachal Pradesh. In addition, districts have formulated District Water Conservation Plans to ensure sustainable water management in their respective districts. Under the JSA: CTR funds has been made available to the various districts to prepare for District Level Scientific Water Conservation Plans for renovation of existing water bodies/water harvesting structures and construction of new water bodies/water harvesting 3structures. Till now, 6 District Water Conservation plans have been prepared in Himachal Pradesh under JSA: CTR. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), in consultation with State Governments, assesses the country’s dynamic groundwater resources annually. These periodic estimations offer crucial insights into groundwater replenishment, utilization and overall availability across all assessment units, aiding various stakeholders in informed decision-making. Additionally, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) completed the National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) Project in the entire mappable area of about 25 Lakh sq. km in the Country including the water-stressed regions of the country. CGWB also prepared a Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater – 2020 in consultation with States/UTs. This macro-level plan identifies various types of recharge structures suitable for different terrain conditions across the country, including water-stressed regions. The Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020 has been circulated to all lined department of the States for implementation. Under Ground Water Management & Regulation Scheme, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has been involved in the implementation of several successful artificial recharge projects including recharge pits in the country for demonstrative purpose which enables the State Governments to replicate the same in suitable hydrogeological conditions. To address the challenges faced by States and local bodies in implementing rainwater harvesting systems, particularly in water-stressed regions, the Government of India has adopted a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach. As part of this strategy, Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) and Technical Officers (TOs) from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) conduct field visits to facilitate the districts and to provide technical assistance. Under the Ground Water Management and Regulation (GWMR) scheme, which is a Central Sector Scheme, the CGWB offers technical assistance to State Governments for water conservation and rainwater harvesting initiatives, including those in rural areas. Since GWMR is centrally implemented, all activities are directly carried out by the CGWB. *** 4ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2008 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 31.07.2025 REGARDING “DRIED UP WATER SOURCES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH”. Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti Intervention-Wise Status Report (JSA 2019 - 2025) Ministry/Department: ALL *Figures Showing No. of Works Completed & Ongoing Expenditure - Including Water Renovation Total Water Conservation of Reuse and Watershed Water Intensive related S.No. Year and Rain Traditional Recharge Development Related Afforestation works and Water Water Structures Works Afforestation Harvesting Bodies ( In Rs Crores)* 1 2019 273256 44497 142740 159354 619,847 123,599,566 NA 2 2021 1627677 295836 832596 1918913 4,675,022 367,660,580 65,516 3 2022 1241770 267782 872489 1628706 4,010,747 783,836,035 23,863 4 2023 1242357 283786 680256 1484611 3,691,010 55,026,292 18,915 5 2024 1301806 308711 534564 2021450 4,166,531 64,845,783 8873 6 2025 700287 107760 170916 703393 1,682,356 17,408,545 913 Total 6,387,153 1,308,372 3,233,561 7,916,427 18,845,513 1,412,376,801 118,080 Total (Jal Shakti Kendra) 712 Total (WCP) 639 Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rainv National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti HIMACHAL PRADESH - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 29-07-2025) Total Water Water Renovation of Reuse and Total Water Conservation Watershed Related JSA Year Traditional Recharge Related Works and Rain Water Development Works Water Bodies Structures (State-wise) Harvesting (Year- wise) 2021 14011 2505 1046 39810 57372 2022 13429 2454 1101 40287 57271 2023 18806 1981 1229 45408 67424 294988 2024 22651 2157 1623 67526 93957 2025 3499 238 259 14968 18964 Total 72396 9335 5258 207999 294988 5ANNEXURE-II ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2008 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 31.07.2025 REGARDING “DRIED UP WATER SOURCES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH”. State-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0 (Status as on 31.05.2025) Completed Ongoing Total S. No. State Work Work Works 1 ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS 119 14 133 2 ANDHRA PRADESH 36338 45990 82328 3 ASSAM 1710 188 1898 4 BIHAR 134431 7480 141911 5 CHANDIGARH 11 17 28 6 CHHATTISGARH 405563 31332 436895 DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND 7 92 0 92 DIU 8 DELHI 201 0 201 9 GOA 7 0 7 10 GUJARAT 133522 28188 161710 11 HARYANA 7465 617 8082 12 HIMACHAL PRADESH 148 36 184 13 JAMMU AND KASHMIR 6129 90 6219 14 JHARKHAND 2798 519 3317 15 KARNATAKA 115303 22132 137435 16 KERALA 5396 4235 9631 17 LADAKH 1 1 2 18 MADHYA PRADESH 276625 31858 308483 19 MAHARASHTRA 7130 843 7973 20 MANIPUR 34 10 44 21 MEGHALAYA 3356 200 3556 22 MIZORAM 1 0 1 23 NAGALAND 63 0 63 24 ODISHA 101174 57907 159081 25 PUDUCHERRY 161 3 164 26 PUNJAB 6093 14911 21004 27 RAJASTHAN 364968 51115 416083 28 SIKKIM 18 0 18 29 TAMIL NADU 68887 13407 82294 30 TELANGANA 520332 41038 561370 31 TRIPURA 12305 292 12597 32 UTTAR PRADESH 141055 26259 167314 33 UTTARAKHAND 2333 482 2815 34 WEST BENGAL 25 5 30 Total 2353794 379169 2732963 ***** 6