Parliament Question: Illegal encroachment on drying rivers and water storage and Government apathy

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1858 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 ILLEGAL ENCROACHMENT ON DRYING RIVERS AND WATER STORAGE AND GOVERNMENT APATHY 1858 # SHRI RAMJI LAL SUMAN: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) the names of the rivers in the country which dried up or have negligible water before reaching the sea; (b) the detailed expenditure for the restoration of lakes, ponds and renovation of reservoirs for water storage in the country over the last five years; (c) the expenditure on rainwater harvesting and its outcome over the last five years in view of the drinking water problem in cities and towns; and (d) whether any study has been conducted to find out the extent of illegal encroachment taken place on ponds and water storage areas in villages and cities? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) to (d) There are two types of rivers in the country viz: perennial and non-perennial rivers. Perennial rivers are those in which water remain available throughout the year whereas non-perennial rivers are those which solely rely on rain and in which water flows only during the monsoon. The flow in a river is a dynamic parameter and depends on many sub-parameters such as rainfall, its distribution, duration and intensity in the catchment, health of catchment area, climate of basins, vegetation and withdrawals/utilization of water. The annual average flow data maintained by Central Water Commission (CWC) for last 20 years for major/important rivers in the country does not indicate any significant decline in water availability. It is primary responsibility of the State/Union Territory Governments and Local Bodies to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents to the prescribed norms before discharging into the river, lakes, pond and other water bodies, coastal water or land to prevent and control of pollution therein, including identification and removal of illegal encroachment which is critical for ensuring heath of the river. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan was launched in 2019 as a mission-mode campaign for water conservation in water-stressed districts. In 2021, Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain was expanded across India focusing 1on rainwater harvesting, water body inventory and rejuvenation, Jal Shakti Kendras, afforestation and awareness. The 6th edition (2025) emphasizes community participation and groundwater recharge with special focus districts identified by the Central Ground Water Board. Additionally, the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative promotes community-driven rainwater harvesting structures. Over 4 million groundwater recharge and storage works have been reported nation-wide, Jal Sanchaya Jan Bhagidari, the details of which can be accessed at https://jsactr.mowr.gov.in/JSJB/. Under the scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystem (NPCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change financial assistance of Rs.149.065 Crores (central share) has been provided to the concerned States/UTs for conservation and management of 32 wetlands in the country in the last five years including current FY. Under the National Water Mission, financial assistance is provided to all States/Union Territories for formulation of the State Specific Action Plan (SSAP) aimed at promoting basin-level integrated water resources management. An amount of Rs.50 lakh is provided to major States/UTs and Rs.30 lakh to minor States/UTs for preparation of the SSAP. Government of India is providing financial assistance to the State Governments under Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies (RRR of WBs) component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)-Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP). Central Assistance (CA) amounting to Rs. 340.33 crore has been released to the states during financial year from 2021-22 to 2024-25 under the PMKSY-HKKP for restoration of water bodies. Further, Mother sanction as Central Assistance (CA) amounting to Rs. 218.64 crore has been issued to various States till February 2026 during FY 2025-26 under the PMKSY-HKKP for restoration of water bodies. Various agencies including State Governments carriy out studies regarding extent of illegal encroachment on ponds and water storage areas on need basis. ***** 2