1) National Mission for Clean Ganga NMCG

        ◦ NMCG has completed 22 projects and sanctioned 17 new projects related to Sewerage Infrastructure, Ghat and Crematoria, Pollution Abatement, Afforestation, Biodiversity etc. in 2020 at a total cost of Rs. 557.83 crores.

        ◦ 43 MLD Beur STP (Rs.78 crores) and 37 MLD Karmalichak STP (Rs.73 crores) in Patna were inaugurated by the PM in Sep 2020.

        ◦ Foundation stone was also laid for River Front Development Scheme under Namami Gange in Muzaffarpur. Three Ghats, namely, East Akhara Ghat, Sidhi Ghat and Chandwara Ghat of Muzaffarpur city will be developed under this scheme.

        ◦ Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation various STP projects of Uttarakhand on 29th September, 2020.

        ◦ For the first time, Namami Gange has been included under the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence for Public Administration Scheme for recognizing the efforts of district level officials.

        ◦ NMCG has released/achieved an amount of Rs. 1,452.40 crores from January, 2020 to November, 2020 for implementation of infrastructure projects, beautifications of Ghats, forestry interventions etc. to the State Programme Management Groups, Central Public Sector Undertakings and State Forest Departments.

        ◦ The Second National Ganga River Basin Project (Ganga – II) was approved by the World Bank Board on 25th June 2020 for US$ 400 million (Rs. 3023.10 crores). Loan would be for a period of 5 years up to December 2026.

        ◦ Ganga Quest 2020 and Ganga Utsav 2020 were organized.

        ◦ Organic farming has been taken up for more than 50,000 hectares of land in 7 districts in Uttarakhand and on 35,780-hectare land area in Uttar Pradesh in 11 districts.

    2) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)

        ◦ The Government of India on 27.7.2016 approved funding of the 99 prioritized irrigation projects (and 7 phases) with an estimated balance cost of Rs. 77,595 crore (Central share- Rs. 31,342crore; State share- Rs. 46,253 crore) for completion in phases.

        ◦ The works include both the AIBP and CAD works.

        ◦ Funding arrangement for both Central Assistance (CA) and State Share made through NABARD under Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF).

        ◦ Against the target of 34.63 Lakh ha., Irrigation Potential of about 21.33 Lakh ha. has been created through AIBP works of the prioritized projects during 2016-17 to 2019-20. 

        ◦ Project Completed under PMKSY-AIBP includes 44 prioritized projects out of identified 99 projects (and 7 phases).

        ◦ A slew of Innovative measures has been taken to improve implementation and maximize benefits.

        ◦ Polavaram Irrigation Project was declared as National Project under Section 90 of AP Reorganization Act, 2014. The project with 2454 m of earth-cum-rockfill dam and 1128.4 m long spillway aims at irrigating 2.91 lakh ha in East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, West Godavari and Krishna districts besides several other benefits envisaged by it.

    3) Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II and Phase III

        ◦ India ranks third globally after China and USA with 5334 large dams in operation.

        ◦ About 411 dams are under construction. In addition, there are several thousand smaller dams. These dams are vital for ensuring the water security of the Country.

        ◦ The Union Cabinet approved externally aided DRIP Phase II and Phase III, the Budget Outlay is Rs. 10, 211 Cr. Duration of Scheme is ten (10) years, to be implemented in two phases, each of six (6) years duration with two (2) years overlap.

    4) Central Water Commission

        ◦ Compendium on Sedimentation of Reservoirs in India 2020 (4th Edition) has been prepared with data of 369 reservoirs.

        ◦ These in-house studies have been conducted using Microwave data (instead of optical data).

        ◦ The advantage of using microwave data is that the images are not affected by cloud cover, and we get images of the reservoirs near FRL during monsoon season as well (which is relatively difficult with optical imageries as when the reservoir is full, most of the time it is monsoon season and it is cloudy).

        ◦ The morphological studies of 4 rivers namely Brahmaputra, Subansiri, Pagladiya and Yamuna through remote sensing technology have been completed.

        ◦ During the year 2020, 16 medium/major Irrigation, Multipurpose and Flood Control Project proposals have been accepted.

        ◦ The monitoring of 477 glacial lakes & water bodies having size greater than 50 ha in the Indian Himalayan region using satellite remote sensing has been completed for the year 2020.

        ◦ During the year 2020, 3 new Flood Forecasting Stations (1 Level and 2 Inflow) has been added in the States of Rajasthan, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

        ◦ During the period from 1st May to 30th November 2020, 11691 flood forecasts (8243 Level and 3448 Inflow) were issued, out of which 11178 (8132 Level and 3046 Inflow) forecasts were within limit of accuracy with a percentage accuracy of 95.61%.

        ◦ CWC Activities under National Hydrology Project (NHP): 

            i) Achievements included

                (1) Finalization of Hydro-meteorological Network of various states

                (2) Finalization of specifications of Hydro-meteorological and survey equipments

                (3) Finalization of reports on various modeling software’s available worldwide

                (4) Development and up gradation of old eSWIS into WIMS

                (5) Award of consultancy for Sedimentation study in 7 river basins

                (6) Purchase of 14 numbers of ADCP as an effort for modernization of discharge observations etc.

            ii) Initiatives include

                (7) Stream flow forecasting including inundation forecast for Ganga Basin

                (8) Integrated Reservoir Operation particular for flood control and using cluster approach in Ganga Basin

                (9) Reservoir Sedimentation Studies using Hydrographic survey for 32 reservoirs

                (10)  Study the issue of floods and siltation in river Ganga due to Farakka Barrage in the State of Bihar.

                (11)  Implementation of Coastal Management Information System (CMIS) in the States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and UT of Puducherry has been awarded to IIT Madras, Chennai.

                (12)  Number of reservoirs under the monitoring of Central Water Commission increased from 120 Nos to 123 Nos in January 2020 and from 123 Nos it increased to 128 Nos in November 2020. 

                (13)  Inter State water disputes are progressing well.

    5) Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal)

        ◦ Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) is a Central Sector Scheme of Government of India with an outlay of Rs 6000 crores.

        ◦ Focus is on community participation and demand side interventions for sustainable ground water management in identified water stressed areas of seven States in the country viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. 

        ◦ The scheme, partly funded by the World Bank, was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 25.12.2019 and is being implemented from 1.04.2020 for a period of 5 years.

        ◦ This unique scheme aims at increasing the capacity of States to manage their ground water resources and for ensuring their long-term sustainability with active participation of the local communities through a mix of top-down and bottom-up approaches.

        ◦ It also envisages convergence of various ongoing schemes for implementation of interventions for improving ground water availability with emphasis on demand management and also to inculcate behavioural changes in the community to ensure optimal use of available water resources.

        ◦ The launch of Atal Bhujal Yojana heralds a change in the Government policy for ground water management

        ◦ by emphasising the importance of community participation in planning, execution, and monitoring of scheme activities

        ◦ convergence of ongoing schemes for implementing interventions aimed at improving ground water availability

        ◦ focus on demand side management through improving water use efficiency and incentivizing participating States for awareness creation among the masses on the importance of ground water.

        ◦ Atal Bhujal Yojana also envisages improving the capacity of States for ground water governance through strengthening of institutions dealing with ground water management, improving ground water monitoring networks, creation of awareness among the public on the importance and criticality of ground water resources and building the capacity of the grass root level stakeholders to plan and utilize the available resources in a judicious manner. 

    6) Central Ground Water Board

        ◦ National Aquifer Mapping and Management Program: NAQUIM studies for aquifer mapping and management plan formulation have been taken up by CGWB.

        ◦ Inauguration of new building of RGNGWTRI – The Union Minister of Jal Shakti Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the new building of Rajiv Gandhi National Ground Water Training & Research Institute (RGNGWTRI) at Raipur on 25th Feb., 2020.

        ◦ Artificial Recharge in Aspirational Districts: An innovative scheme on Aquifer Rejuvenation has been undertaken CGWB in which innovative artificial recharge techniques for aquifer rejuvenation has been carried out in Aspirational districts of the States of Maharashtra, Telengana and Andhra Pradesh.

        ◦ Bridge Cum Bhandara: Bridge-cum-bhandara is a water conservation structure that serves the dual purpose of transportation as well as storage of water in the upstream side. 

    7) National Water Informatics Centre

        ◦ Water Information Management System (WIMS) is a centralized web enabled data aggregating platform

        ◦ India-Water Resource Information System (India-WRIS) is web portal

        ◦ The two portals / System are constantly being upgraded by adding new layers to make the portals more robust, dynamic and enriched.

        ◦ Data Dissemination: Arrangements have been made with Survey of India, Central Pollution Control Board and other departments of state governments for regular data sharing and further dissemination of information to public. 

    8) Progress under the scheme “Irrigation Census”

        ◦ The Minor Irrigation Census is conducted under the centrally sponsored scheme “Irrigation Census” with 100% central funding through which State Statistical Cells constituted under different States/UTs are also supported.

        ◦ After completing the preparatory work like drafting of schedules, instruction manual, Operational Guidelines, development of data entry and validation software, development of mobile App for capturing latitude, longitude and photograph of the water body, training of field personnel etc. is progressing in the States/UTs.

        ◦ The first installment of funds amounting to 40% of the cost of the census was released to all States/UTs for undertaking the planning of census, training of field personnel, procurement of mobile phones, payment of honorarium, printing of schedules etc.

        ◦ The releases were also made to the state Statistical Cells for incurring expenditure on salaries, allowances etc.

    9) Completion of balance works of North Koel Reservoir Project

    10) Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)

        ◦ The existing Flood Management Programme (FMP) and River Management Activities and Works related to Border Areas" (RMBA) schemes of this Ministry has now merged into single scheme titled "Flood Management and Border Areas Programme" (FMBAP).

        ◦ Central Assistance of Rs. 171.1834 Cr. has been released to States/UTs Since January, 2020 to till date in current calendar year under this scheme.

    11) India and Bangladesh Matters

        ◦ The 73rd&74th meeting of India Bangladesh Joint Committee and Joint Inspection of the Joint Hydrological Observation site on river Ganga at Farakka as per the provisions of "Ganga / Ganges Water Sharing Treaty of 1996" was held at Farakka / Kolkata.

    12) Revision of National Water Policy (2012)

    13) National River Conservation Directorate

        a) Cleaning of river is a continuous process and Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in addressing the challenges of pollution of rivers by providing financial and technical assistance. 

        b) Various pollution abatement works relating to interception & diversion of raw sewage, construction of sewerage systems, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation, river front/bathing ghat development, etc. are being undertaken under this.

        c) Achievements and initiatives under NRCP

            ▪ Project for upgradation and rehabilitation work of river Rani Chu in Zone-I, Gangtok, Sikkim sanctioned for Rs.95.36 crore

            ▪ Project of "Assessment of ecological status of the select 6 Indian rivers (namely Cauvery, Godavari, Periyar, Mahanadi, Narmada & Barak River)" under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) by Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun at an estimated cost of Rs. 24.56 crore.

            ▪ Central funds amounting to Rs.89.15 crore released to various State Governments including payment to Project Management Consultant for implementation of projects under NRCP.

            ▪ In order to broad base the activities under NRCP and amalgamate biodiversity conservation and stakeholder participation in the river conservation process, WII (Wildlife Institute of India) has been entrusted to carry out a biodiversity study for six rivers, Mahanadi, Narmada, Godavari, Periyar, Cauvery & Barak.

    14) CADWM Wing

        ◦ Government of India is implementing a scheme called Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY).

        ◦ The scheme was launched with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation.

        ◦ 99 prioritized Projects have been identified for expeditious completion adopting innovative funding through creation of ‘Long Term Irrigation Fund’ under NABARD. 

        ◦ The targeted Culturable Command Area (CCA) of the presently 88 included projects is 45.08 lakh Ha. and estimated central assistance (CA) is Rs 8300 crore.

        ◦ During 2016-17 to 2020-21 (upto November, 2020), CA amounting to Rs 2677.702 crore was released to 74 projects while the CCA progress reported by States is 14.18 lakh ha. During 2020-21, CA amounting to Rs 133.45 crore has been released to 27 projects.

    15) Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS): The contributions of CSMRS in the field of Geotechnical Investigation of River Valley Projects are:

            ▪ Carried out Geotechnical Investigations for 34 Water Resources Projects.

            ▪ 24 Project Reports on Geotechnical Investigations were prepared.

            ▪ Publication of 12 Research Papers in National and International Journals/Conferences.

            ▪ Comments imparted on 29 Detailed Project Reports and their compliances.

            ▪ Organization of 3 virtual training courses in which 230 Engineers/ trainees/students from various 

    ▪ Organisations/Institutions/colleges participated.

            ▪ Involved in the 12 numbers of dam rehabilitation project under DRIP

            ▪ CSMRS Signed MoU with Norwegian Geotechnical Institute Oslo, Norway on cooperation in the field of geotechnical engineering and materials sciences.

            ▪ The contribution of CSMRS towards the realization of the Interlinking of rivers to utilize every single drop of water for country’s development has been highly fruitful – not only in providing design parameters but also in reducing the project cost by suggesting changes in the alignment of the links based on the investigations.

    16) Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) and repair, renovation and restoration (RRR) of water bodies schemes of PMKSY-HKKP

        a) Under the Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) scheme, since 12th plan onwards, 6213 schemes are ongoing with an estimated cost of ₹ 13449 crore.

        b) Central Assistance (CA) of Rs. 7299 crore has been released to states upto March, 2020. Further, 3397 schemes have been reported to be completed upto March, 2020.

        c) In the current financial year, ₹ 214.69 crore has been released to 13 SMI schemes from 7 States till date.

        d) Under the Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies scheme, since 12th plan onwards, 2219 schemes are ongoing with an estimated cost of Rs. 1910 crore. 

        e) Target irrigation potential restoration of these schemes is 1.888 L Ha and out of this, 1.319 L Ha is reported to be restored till March, 2020.

        f) In the current financial year, Rs. 34.53 crore has been released to one RRR of Water Bodies schemes of Odisha till date.

    17) National Water Mission

        a) National Water Mission has launched a campaign – “Catch the Rain” with a tagline “Catch the Rain – when it falls, where it falls” to nudge all stake-holders to create Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS) suitable to the climatic conditions and sub-soil strata to catch the rains with the people’s active participation.

        b) Under this campaign drives 

            ▪ to make water harvesting pits, rooftop RWHS, check dams, etc;

            ▪ removal of encroachments and de-silting of tanks to increase their storage capacity;

            ▪ removal of obstructions in the channels which bring water to them from the catchment areas, etc;

            ▪ repairs to step-wells and using defunct bore-wells to put the water back to aquifers, etc are some of the activities suggested to be taken up.

            ▪ To facilitate this, NWM has been propagating that Rain Centres should be setup in every district or GP headquarters, to give technical guidance to people on Rain Water Harvesting Structures.

    18) Sahi Fasal Campaign

        a) In India, 85-89% of water usage is for agricultural purposes and about 5%usage is for drinking and domestic purposes. Hence, even a small percentage saving of water in agricultural usage will have a significant impact in water availability for drinking and domestic purposes.

        b) ‘Sahi Fasal’ campaign was launched by National Water Mission on14.11.2019 to nudge farmers in the water stressed areas

    • to grow crops which are not water intensive, but use water very efficiently;

    • are economically remunerative;

    • are healthy and nutritious;

    • suited to the agro-climatic-hydro characteristics of the area;

    • and are environmentally friendly.

    • to create awareness among farmers on appropriate crops, micro-irrigation, soil moisture conservation etc;

    • to wean them away from water intensive crops like paddy, sugarcane etc. to crops like corn, maize etc which require less water;

    • to assist policy makers to frame policies that make effective pricing of inputs (water and electricity);

    • to improve procurement and market for these alternate crops;

    • to create appropriate storage for them etc ultimately leading to increase in the income of farmers are the key elements of “Sahi Fasal”.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants. The views expressed here are personal.)