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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 127
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026
Rejuvenation of Century-Old Irrigation Tanks in Forest Areas
127. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that many minor irrigation tanks situated in forest areas,
particularly in districts like Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, are over a century old and require
urgent repair, restoration and rejuvenation;
(b) whether the restrictions imposed on contour trenching and desilting under forest and
environmental regulations are adversely affecting water conservation efforts in these forest
areas;
(c) if so, whether the Government has taken steps to streamline clearance procedures for
rejuvenation works in such ecologically sensitive zones;
(d) whether the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change proposes to coordinate
with the Ministry of Jal Shakti to facilitate the inclusion of these tanks under centrally
sponsored schemes such as RRR (Repair, Restoration & Rejuvenation); and
(e) if not, the reasons for not allowing essential water conservation works in forest zones despite
their critical importance for biodiversity, agriculture and local livelihoods?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (e) Repair, restoration, and rejuvenation of water harvesting structures, including minor
irrigation tanks, are carried out by various States/UT Forest Departments, including that of
State Government of Andhra Pradesh in accordance with the extant legal framework and in
convergence with the relevant stakeholders including Central Ministries such as Ministry of
Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Jal Shakti and such other Ministries/Departments, as may
be required, and in accordance with the respective Annual Plan of Operation/Management Plan
of the constituent Forest Divisions.
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