DRYING UP OF WATER BODIES

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Context

The government's efforts to rejuvenate water bodies in India.

Details

• There are 24,24,540 water bodies in the country of which 20,30,040 water bodies are ‘in use’ and 3,94,500 water bodies are not ‘in use’.
• 93,009 water bodies are reported to be not in use on account of being dried up.

Groundwater level

• Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) periodically monitors groundwater levels throughout the country on a regional scale, through a network of monitoring wells.
• About 61% of the wells monitored have registered a rise in ground water level.
• About 39% wells have registered a decrease in water level.

Rejuvenation of water bodies

• It is for the State Government concerned to take up rejuvenation of water bodies, including the dried-up water bodies.

Measures taken by Government of India

• Financial assistance to the identified schemes under Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies (RRR of WBs) component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)-Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP).
• Focused interventions under Jal Shakti Abhiyan annual campaigns.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
• Mission Amrit Sarovar.
• Rejuvenation of water bodies is also a component under the Water Supply sector of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) Scheme under Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1945398