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...
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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