Incentives for Groundwater Conservation

New Delhi, December 12, 2013: Various State Governments enact Statutes/ Rules/ Regulations and Building Bylaws etc to ensure effective implementation of rainwater harvesting through concerned Municipal/ State Development Authorities. Besides, Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under Section 3(3) of The Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Authority has issued directives to the Chief Secretaries of all States and the Administrators of all UTs to take measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge to ground water/rainwater harvesting. CGWA has also taken up the matter with various Central and State government organizations for adopting rainwater harvesting and recharge to the ground water.

A Model Bill has also been circulated to all the States/UTs which, inter-alia, has provisions for rainwater harvesting to enable them to enact ground water legislation for its regulation and management. Ministry of Water Resources had instituted Ground Water Augmentation Awards & National Water Award in the year 2007.

There were 20 Ground Water Augmentation Awards in six categories and one National Water Award. The awards were given during the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The awards have now been replaced with 5 National Water Awards & 2 National Water Excellence Awards to encourage Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/ Gram Panchayats/ Urban Local Bodies/ Institutions/ Corporate Sector and Individuals for adopting innovative practices of ground water augmentation by rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge, promoting water use efficiency, recycling & re-use of water and creating awareness through people`s participation.

This information was given by Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat in written reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today.