NEW DELHI: With nearly 22 per cent of assessed 'blocks' in the country facing acute shortage of groundwater, the Centre on Tuesday approved an ambitious scheme - called Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) - with total outlay of Rs 6,000 crore to manage the critical resources of water through multiple activities.

The scheme will be implemented in 8,350 water-stressed villages across seven states - Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh - over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25).

The scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet, envisages active participation of communities in various activities to take care of 'demand side' (through efficient use of water resources) management of water resources instead of only managing 'supply side' (making available) of resources.

Such activities will include formation of water user associations, monitoring and disseminating groundwater data, water budgeting, preparation and implementation of gram panchayat-wise water security plans and awareness programmes related to sustainable groundwater management .

"Implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8,350 gram panchayats in 78 districts of these states. The 'Atal Jal' will promote panchayat-led groundwater management and behavioural change with primary focus on demand side management," said an official note of the scheme.

It said, "Out of the total outlay of Rs 6,000 crore, 50 per cent shall be in the form of World Bank loan, and be repaid by the central government. The remaining 50% shall be through central assistance from regular budgetary support. The entire World Bank's loan component and central assistance shall be passed on to the states as grants."

Latest assessment of groundwater situation by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) shows 1,499 (nearly 22 per cent) out of 6,881 assessed units (blocks/mandals/taluks) in 2017 came under 'over-exploited' and 'critical' categories taken together - it means annual extraction of ground water in those assessed units are more than annual replenishment (recharge).

At present, ground water contributes to nearly 65 per cent of total irrigated area of the country and nearly 85% of the rural drinking water supply. The limited ground water resources in the country are, however, under threat due to the increasing demands of growing population, urbanisation and industrialisation.

Since agriculture sector consumes substantial amount of water for irrigation, the focus of the scheme will also be on water use efficiency and adoption of improved cropping pattern (shift towards less water consuming crops in stressed regions) in this sector.

The government claimed that the scheme will contribute towards the goal of doubling the farmers' income, promote efficient and equitable use of ground water resources and induce behavioural change at the community level.

