Government promotes rain water harvesting to improve ground water level

Ministry of Water Resources has requested other Central Ministries/Departments of Railways, Defence, Posts, Telecommunications, Central Public Works Department and National Highways Authority of India to provide roof top rain water harvesting structures in the buildings under their control. To promote roof top rain water harvesting in rural areas, Ministry of Water Resources is implementing a demonstrative scheme through Non-Government Organizations under which funding is provided for construction of roof top rain water harvesting structures for collection of rain water for drinking and use in toilets constructed for girls’ in Girls’ Schools in the states.

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has directed the Chief Secretaries of the concerned States to take all measures to adopt artificial recharge to ground water/promote rain water harvesting in all the Over-exploited areas falling under their jurisdiction and ensure inclusion of roof top rain water harvesting in the building bye-laws. CGWA has issued directions to Group Housing Societies, Industries, Farm Houses, etc. in the notified areas of Delhi, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad and other areas of NCT Delhi where ground water table is below 8 metres from ground surface, to adopt rain water harvesting system.

CGWA promotes rain water harvesting and artificial recharge of ground water by conducting mass awareness/training programmes throughout the country involving Central/State Governments/Non-Government Organizations/Voluntary Organizations/Resident Welfare Associations/Educational Institutions/Industries and Individuals. So far, the CGWA has conducted 207 training programmes and 290 mass awareness programmes. During 2006-07, 26 mass awareness programmes and 32 training programmes have been conducted.

Source : Press Information Bureau

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