Executive Summary:
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 162 regarding the impact of the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) on groundwater management, answered on July 31, 2025. It details the scheme's progress in groundwater recharge, community water budgeting, and participatory irrigation management since its launch in identified pilot districts. It also covers the impact on groundwater levels across implementing states since 2020 and plans to scale up successful groundwater governance models under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan Catch the Rain, Phase II.
Key Points / Main Content:
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY):
* ABY is a community-led scheme for sustainable groundwater management.
* It focuses on capacity building at the Gram Panchayat level through information, education, communication, and training.
* Gram Panchayats (GPs) prepare Water Budgets (WBs) and Water Security Plans (WSPs), updated annually, with at least 33% women participation.
* WSPs include supply and demand-side measures for groundwater recharge and improved irrigation efficiency.
* Water budgeting and WSP preparation have been completed for all 8,203 GPs under ABY.
* Approximately 81,700 water conservation and recharge structures have been constructed/renovated, leading to an estimated groundwater recharge of around 716 MCM.
Groundwater Level Impact:
* ABY is implemented in 229 blocks across 7 states, with 140 blocks categorized as overexploited or critical in 2020.
* 83 out of 229 blocks have shown improvement in groundwater levels.
* 55 of the overexploited and critical blocks have shown improvement since 2020.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA):
* The Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) is being implemented since 2019 for rainwater harvesting and water conservation, converging with schemes like MGNREGA and PMKSY.
* The Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative, launched in September 2024, promotes community ownership and cost-effective, local solutions.
* Successful groundwater recharge and water conservation models observed under JSA: Catch the Rain (CTR) include:
* Low-cost artificial recharge structures in Banaskantha, Gujarat, through CSR funding and farmer cooperatives.
* Jal Tara Model in Maharashtra, involving farmers constructing recharge pits.
* Revival of Noon river in Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh, through collective effort.
* Other models include the Karmbhoomi se Matribhoomi Model of Gujarat, CREDAI Raipur model of Chhattisgarh, Alwar, Rajasthan Model and others.
* These models are documented and showcased by the National Water Mission.
* FAQs and standard designs for artificial recharge structures have been shared with all States and Union Territories.
* Implementation of JSA: CTR is supported through convergence of funds and community/CSR contributions.
Impact Analysis:
Gram Panchayats (GPs):
* Impact: GPs are empowered to lead sustainable groundwater management through capacity building and preparation of WBs and WSPs.
* Action Required: GPs must continue to prepare and update WSPs annually, ensuring community participation, and implement water conservation and recharge works.
Community Members:
* Impact: Community members, including women, are actively involved in water budgeting and planning, leading to improved water security.
* Action Required: Community members need to participate in Gram Sabha deliberations, contribute to water security planning, and support the implementation of WSPs.
Implementing States:
* Impact: States are responsible for implementing ABY and JSA, aiming to improve groundwater levels and promote water conservation.
* Action Required: States should continue implementing ABY, monitor groundwater levels, replicate successful JSA models, and facilitate convergence of funds from various schemes.
National Water Mission:
* Impact: NWM disseminates knowledge and provides guidance to districts and states on groundwater management.
* Action Required: Continue to document and showcase successful models, provide technical support, and share FAQs and standard designs for recharge structures.
Key Entities Referenced
Atal Bhujal Yojana: A scheme for community led sustainable management of ground water resources also known as Atal Jal or ABY. The scheme is implemented in 229 Blocks of 7 States.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan: An umbrella campaign for harvesting the rainfall and taking up water conservation activities.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan Catch the Rain: A campaign under Jal Shakti Abhiyan focused on rainwater harvesting and water conservation.
Gujarat: One of the implementing states of Atal Bhujal Yojana. Banaskantha in Gujarat has a largescale initiative constructing lowcost artificial recharge structures.
Maharashtra: One of the implementing states of Atal Bhujal Yojana where the Jal Tara Model is implemented.
Uttar Pradesh: One of the implementing states of Atal Bhujal Yojana. Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh, has revived Noon river.
MGNREGA: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, a central scheme that converges with Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
Water Security Plans: Plans prepared by community members and approved by the gram sabhas. These plans contain both supply and demand side measures to enhance ground water recharge as well as to improve irrigation efficiency by reducing water demand.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *162
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
IMPACT OF ABY ON GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT
*162. SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) has achieved its planned targets for groundwater recharge,
community water budgeting and participatory irrigation management in the identified pilot districts since
its launch and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the quantifiable impact of ABY on groundwater levels in each of the seven implementing States since
2020 including trends in over-exploited and critical blocks;
(c) whether the Government proposes to scale up successful models of groundwater governance under Jal
Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain, Phase II; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the criteria laid down for shortlisting and funding?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI C R PAATIL)
(a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
1STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.
*162 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025 IN LOK SABHA REGARDING “IMPACT OF ABY ON
GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT”
(a) Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal/ABY) is a unique scheme for community led sustainable
management of ground water resources. The scheme lays a robust grassroots foundation and promotes
rigorous capacity building at the Gram Panchayat level through sustained information, education,
communication (IEC) and training activities, empowering the community members to come together and
themselves prepare Water Budgets (WBs) followed by Water Security Plans (WSPs) for their GPs. The
WSPs are discussed and approved by the gram sabhas after detailed deliberations wherein maximum
participation of community members, with at least 33% women participation, is ensured. The WSPs
contain both supply and demand side measures to enhance ground water recharge as well as to improve
irrigation efficiency by reducing water demand. So far, community led water budgeting and preparation
of WSPs has been completed for all 8,203 GPs under Atal Jal and the same are updated annually.
As envisaged in the WSPs, construction of various water conservation and ground water recharge
works like check dams, ponds, recharge pits/shafts etc. are taken up through convergence mode and using
an incentive mechanism which has resulted in construction/renovation of around 81,700 supply-side
recharge structures so far under the Yojana further resulting in an estimated ground water recharge of
around 716 Million Cubic Meters (MCM).
(b) Arresting the decline of ground water levels is one of the important performance indicators under
Atal Bhujal Yojana. The scheme is being implemented in 229 Blocks of 7 States, out of which 140 were
under over-exploited and critical category during the year 2020. As per the assessment conducted, out of
229 Blocks, totally 83 Blocks have shown improvement in ground water levels as detailed in Annexure –
I. Further, among over-exploited and critical Blocks, 55 have shown improvement during the same period,
the details of which are provided in Annexure –II.
(c) & (d) The Government is implementing the umbrella campaign of Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) in the
country since 2019, which is a mission mode and time bound programme for harvesting the rainfall and
taking up water conservation activities in convergence with various ongoing central and state schemes like
MGNREGA, AMRUT, PMKSY etc.
To further strengthen the momentum of Shakti Abhiyan, the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB)
initiative was launched in September 2024, which seeks to develop cost-effective, local solutions tailored
to specific water challenges across different regions by promoting community ownership and
responsibility. Several innovative models of groundwater recharge and water conservation have been
2observed across various regions under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA:CTR) campaign,
showcasing the diversity of locally adapted and community-driven solutions.
Brief description of some of the noteworthy models is provided below:
In Banaskantha, Gujarat, a large-scale initiative has focused on constructing low-cost
artificial recharge structures in arid regions by leveraging CSR funding and the participation
of farmer cooperatives. This model demonstrates how public-private collaboration can
effectively address regional water stress.
In Maharashtra, the Jal Tara Model involves farmers systematically constructing
standardized recharge pits measuring 4 ft × 4 ft × 6 ft across agricultural land. This low-tech
but impactful intervention enhances infiltration and supports the recharge of shallow
aquifers, benefiting both crops and groundwater sustainability.
In Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh, revival of Noon river has presented an exemplary case of river
rejuvenation through collective effort. The 81-kilometre stretch, once reduced to a dry drain,
was brought back to life through the involvement of MNREGS workers, local volunteers,
students, and technical support. Restoration of flow paths and removal of obstructions
supported irrigation across 2,780 hectares, benefiting more than 15,000 farmers.
In addition to the above, there are other successful models which have emerged in different
parts of the country like, the Karmbhoomi se Matribhoomi Model of Gujarat; CREDAI–
Raipur model of Chhattisgarh; Alwar, Rajasthan Model for using school buildings as
learning aids for rooftop rainwater harvesting; 5% Model from Korea district in Chhattisgarh;
Gir Ganga Trust model of Gujarat showcasing a philanthropic and community-led
approach etc.
These successful models have been documented and are regularly showcased by the National
Water Mission during interactions with District Collectors, wherein exemplary districts present their
implementation strategies. To facilitate broader replication, a compilation of Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs) and standard designs for artificial recharge structures has also been shared with all States and
Union Territories.
Implementation of all the works under JSA: CTR, including the replication and scaling up of
successful models is primarily supported through convergence of funds from ongoing Central and State
schemes, along with community and CSR contributions.
***
3ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION
NO. *162 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025 REGARDING “IMPACT OF ABY ON
GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT”
States Total Blocks Improvement Status
Gujarat 36 13
Haryana 36 14
Karnataka 41 20
Madhya Pradesh 9 4
Maharashtra 43 14
Rajasthan 38 13
Uttar Pradesh 26 5
Grand Total 229 83
4ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION
NO. *162 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025 REGARDING “IMPACT OF ABY ON
GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT”
States Over Exploited and Critical Blocks(out of 229 total) Improvement Status
Gujarat 23 9
Haryana 31 10
Karnataka 41 20
Madhya Pradesh 0 0
Maharashtra 10 6
Rajasthan 26 9
Uttar Pradesh 9 1
Grand Total 140 55
*****
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