Draft model law on water conservation
Draft model law on water conservation
(a) whether Government has drafted a model law to conserve ground water, surface water and rain water;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by Government to increase use of treated water for non potable purposes across the
country?
country?
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2874
ANSWERED ON-27.03.2017
Draft model law on water conservation 2874 Smt. Renuka Chowdhury
(a) whether Government has drafted a model law to conserve ground water, surface water and rain water;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by Government to increase use of treated water for non potable purposes across the country?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION
(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a) & (b) A Committee constituted by this Ministry on 28.12.2015 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mihir Shah has suggested draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016 which inter-alia provides for an overarching national legal framework with principles for protection, conservation, regulation and management of water as a vital and stressed natural resource. The salient features of the draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016 are annexed.
(c) One of the objectives, inter-alia, of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY) is to explore the feasibility of reusing treated municipal waste water for peri-urban agriculture and attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system.
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ANNEXURE
Annexure referred in reply to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No.2874 to be answered on 27.03.2017 regarding “Draft model law on water conservation”
SALIENT FEATURES OF DRAFT NATIONAL WATER FRAMEWORK BILL, 2016
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The draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016 seeks to provide an overarching national legal framework based on principles for protection, conservation, regulation and management of water as a vital and stressed natural resource, under which legislation and executive action on water at all levels of governance can take place.
2. The Bill proposes that every individual should have a right to sufficient quantity of safe water for life within easy reach based on the principles of integrated river basin management. The States shall hold water resources as a Common Heritage and Public Trust.
3. The draft Bill proposes that the appropriate government shall strive towards rejuvenating river systems with community participation, ensuring:
(a) ‘Aviral Dhara’ – continuous flow in time and space including maintenance of connectivity of flow in each river system;
(b) ‘Nirmal Dhara’ – unpolluted flow so that the quality of river waters is not adversely affected by human activities; and
(c) ‘Swachh Kinara’ – clean and aesthetic river banks with ecological integrity.
4. It proposes that the appropriate government shall take all measures to protect the ecological integrity necessary to sustain eco-systems dependent on water and should adopt people-centered decentralized water management, for both surface and ground water, including local rainwater harvesting, watershed development and participatory irrigation management, shall be prioritized, while recognizing, encouraging and empowering local initiatives.
5. It proposes that the appropriate Government shall take into consideration the following:
(a) Water Use and Land Use
(b) Appropriate Treatment and Use of Wastewater
(c) Standards for Water Quality and Water Footprints
(d) Water Use Prioritization.
Provided that these uses of water are consistent with the objective of sustaining aquifers and eco-system indispensable to long term sustenance of the resource.
6. The draft Bill lays high priority to Integrated River Basin Development and Management, wherein a river basin, including associated aquifers, shall be considered as the basis hydrological unit for planning, development and management of water. Each State Government shall develop, manage and regulate basins of inter-State rivers through a River Basin Master Plan to be implemented by an appropriate institutional mechanism.
7. It proposes establishment of a River Basin Authority for each inter-State river basin for optimum and sustainable development of the inter-State rivers and river valleys, with active participation and cooperation by all basin States to ensure equitable, sustainable and efficient utilisation of water resources with emphasis on demand management through conjunctive and integrated use of resources. Each River Basin Authority shall prepare a Master Plan for the River Basin.
8. The Bill also proposes that the appropriate Government shall prepare and oversee the implementation of a Water Security Plan for (a) attainment of sufficient quantity of safe water for life and sustainable livelihoods by every person; and (b) ensuring water security even in times of emergencies like droughts and floods.
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Source: Rajyasabha
http://164.100.47.234/question/qhindi/242/Au2874.doc
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