Govt to suggest ways for artificial recharging of ground water

The government will carry out mapping of aquifers in 56 water-stressed Maharashtra talukas, including 32 in parched Marathwada and Vidarbha, to help suggest strategies for artificial recharging of ground water, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
"...The aquifer mapping programme (of Central Ground Water Board) covers 56 water-stressed talukas of Maharashtra. These include nine talukas of Marathwada region and 23 talukas of Vidarbha region," Union minister Sanjeev Kumar Balyan said in a written reply.
He said one of the components of the exercise is to suggest strategies for rain water harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water.
The Minister of State for Water Resources was asked whether the government has undertaken new programme to harvest rainwater in the regions in the backdrop of recent water crisis there.

He said the NDA government has plans afoot to ensure water security in 17 and 16 Jal Grams in Vidarbha and Marathwada respectively.
These water security plans include provision of rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge to ground water and water conservation measures.

Balyan informed the Devendra Fadnavis government is also implementing a scheme named 'Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyaan' since last financial year, which proposes to make Maharashtra a drought-free state.
"The project aims to make approximately 6,000 villages free of water scarcity every year. In 2015-16, the programme has been launched in 6,202 villages. A total of 2,01,987 works have been completed and about 21,117 works are under progress. Rs 2,825.40 crore has been spent in the programme until July 2016," Balyan said.

Among other measures, the minister said, the state government has enacted a suitable legislation in line with the Centre's model bill aimed at regulating and controlling development of ground water.