Parliament Question: Water Scarcity and Groundwater Depletion Issues

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 843 ANSWERED ON 04.12.2025 WATER SCARCITY AND GROUNDWATER DEPLETION ISSUES 843. SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN: SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the growing water scarcity and groundwater depletion issues across various States of the country, exacerbating the drinking water problem; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure sustainable groundwater management, strengthen water conservation projects and improve rural and urban water supply systems; and (c) whether the Government proposes to introduce any special scheme to promote water conservation and rainwater harvesting in rural and urban areas and if so, the details thereof highlighting the main features of the scheme? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) to (c) The government is committed to ensure sustainable management and development of water and groundwater resources of the country by promoting judicious use and robust conservation efforts. The data available with Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) indicates that overall ground water situation in the country is showing steady improvement as a result of sustained efforts of the government and other stakeholders. As per the dynamic ground water resource assessment data of CGWB, total annual ground water recharge in the country has increased from 432 BCM (Billion Cubic Meters) to 448.52 BCM between 2017 to 2025. Similarly, the percentage of safe assessment units has increased from 62.6% to 73.14% and that of over-exploited units has declined from 17.2% to 10.8% during the same period. Despite this, some pockets of the country may be experiencing water scarcity and depletion of ground water reserves due to varied reasons such as increased demand of fresh water for various uses, vagaries of rainfall, increased population, industrialization and urbanization etc. Water being a State subject, sustainable development and management of water and groundwater resources is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments. However, the Central Government facilitates the efforts of the State Governments by way of technical and financial assistance through its 1various schemes and projects. The major steps taken in this direction, including the latest initiatives are provided below: i. Efforts of the Central government for augmenting the water/groundwater resources of the country, are mainly channeled through the flagship campaign of Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA). JSA is a time bound and mission mode programme being conducted annually since 2019 by the M/o Jal Shakti, wherein all the efforts and funds under various schemes and projects are converged to deliver water harvesting and artificial recharge works on the ground. Currently, JSA 2025 is underway in the country with special focus on over-exploited and critical districts. As per the available information, under JSA, completion of around 1.21 cr lakh water conservation and artificial recharge works has been coordinated through convergence in the country in the last 4 years, which has played a key role in enhancing the sustainability of drinking water and irrigation sources. ii. To further strengthen the momentum of Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: A Community-Driven Path to Water Sustainability in India has been launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister with a vision to make rain water harvesting a mass movement in the country. By promoting community ownership and responsibility, the initiative seeks to develop cost- effective, local solutions tailored to specific water challenges across different regions. iii. M/o Jal Shakti has successfully demonstrated the efficacy of community led participatory ground water management through Atal Bhujal Yojana, which was implemented in 80 water stressed districts in 7 States. Construction of various rain water harvesting and recharge structures like check dams, ponds, shafts etc. as well as promotion of micro irrigation was taken up through convergence and by use of incentive funds under the scheme. iv. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, being implemented by this Ministry in partnership with states, marks an important milestone for providing contamination free potable tap water to every rural household of the country in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis. Further, JJM marks a paradigm shift in rural water supply by adopting a demand-driven, community-led approach and integrating source sustainability measures such as rain water harvesting, artificial recharge and grey water management as mandatory components. v. With an objective to ensure sustainable drinking water access in urban areas, M/o Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), GoI, has been implementing AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0 Schemes, which are major initiatives to improve the quality of life in cities, including expanding water supply schemes and providing potable tap water connections. 2vi. Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched by the Government of India which aimed at developing and rejuvenating at least 75 water bodies in each district of the country. As an outcome nearly 69,000 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed/rejuvenated in the country leading to enhanced water storage and ground water recharge. vii. Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DA & FW) is implementing Per Drop More Crop Scheme since 2015-16, which focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation leading to conservation of ground water. viii. After the successful completion of NAQUIM 1.0, which mapped country's aquifers and provided a macro-level understanding of our nation's groundwater resources, the Central Ground Water Board has now embarked upon NAQUIM 2.0, focusing on water stressed and quality affected pockets. Under NAQUIM 2.0 state-of-the-art technologies are harnessed, for generating highly detailed, scientific data which serve as an important tool for making informed decisions for sustainable groundwater management. ix. CGWB has also prepared the Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020, for the entire country providing a broad outline for construction of around 1.42 crore rain water harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the country to harness 185 BCM (Billion cubic meter). The Master plan has been shared with State/UT administrations for suitable field interventions. ***** 3