[pib] Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal)

PM Modi has formally launched Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL).

Atal Bhujal Yojana

• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Related Ministry/Department: Ministry of Jal Shakti
• Period: The scheme is to be implemented over a period of 5 years from 2018-19 to 2022-23, with World Bank assistance.

Aims and objective

• The scheme aims to improve groundwater management in priority areas in the country through community participation.
• The priority areas identified under the scheme fall in the states of  Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• These States represent about 25% of the total number of over-exploited, critical and semi-critical blocks in terms of groundwater in India.
• They also cover two major types of groundwater systems found in India – alluvial and hard rock aquifers- and have varying degrees of institutional readiness and experience in groundwater management.

Regulation

• Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is regulating groundwater development in 23 States/UTs.
• For enforcement of the regulatory measures in these areas, concerned Deputy Commissioners/ District Magistrates have been directed under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986to take necessary action in case of violations of directives of CGWA.

Community Participation

• The scheme envisages active participation of the communities in various activities such as formation of Water User Associations, monitoring and disseminating ground water data, water budgeting etc.
• Preparation and implementation of Gram-Panchayat wise water security plans and IEC activities related to sustainable ground water management is also to be carried out.