Development of roof-top Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS) and water harvesting pits in compounds; maintenance of existing RWHS & creation of new check dams/ponds; renovation of traditional WHS; removal of encroachments of tanks/lakes and in their catchment channels; de-silting of tanks, reuse and recharge of bore wells; watershed development; rejuvenation of small rivers and rivulets; revival of wetlands and protection of flood-banks is covered under the targeted interventions of Jal Sahkti Abhiyan (JSA). “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” (JSA:CTR) -2022 campaign, the third in the series of JSAs, has been launched on 29.3.2022 to cover all the blocks of all districts (rural as well as urban areas) across the country. The development of water bodies and implementation of aforesaid measures reduces the dependency of agriculture on rain water.

As a part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ Government of India has launched ‘Mission Amrit Sarovar’ to construct/develop at least 75 ‘Amrit Sarovars’ in every district of the country. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) also covers similar structures. The scheme of Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) and Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies, a part of Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) under Prandhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) are implemented with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices etc. Per Drop More Crop Scheme (PDMC) focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation. The above programme and schemes are implemented to make rural & urban population water secured and the farmers to save their crops in adverse conditions.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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AS