PM Modi Flags Atal Bhujal Yojana to Improve Groundwater Level

Narendra Modi launched the Atal Bhujal Yojna for seven states. The Yojna aims at assisting farmers and states to effectively manage groundwater. The 6000-crore plan will be stacked and implemented over a period of 5 years.

Crux of the Matter

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the groundwater management scheme called Atal Bhujal Yojna and emphasized on the use of technology in various spheres to combat water wastage.

2. 8,350 villages across states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Karnataka will get the benefit of the new framework of water management.

3. “If there is a malnutritioned child, you can prepare a bucket of milk with all the nutritious ingredients and use it to give him a bath. He will still remain weak as before. But instead of a bath, if you use a spoon to feed the child just 200 ml of milk, he will be stronger. Now, this is something that the farmer can understand, can relate to,” said Narendra Modi emphasizing the adaption of technology and novel ways in irrigation.

4. PM Modi addressed the start-ups to innovate in the area of water management.

5. Local committees formed at Panchayat levels will have women representation of up to 50%. World Bank will assist with 50% of the cost of the project.

Curiopedia

Groundwater Storage in India – India currently stores only 6% of its annual rainfall or 253 billion cubic metres, while developed nations strategically store 250% of the annual rainfall in arid river basins. India also relies excessively on groundwater resources, which accounts for over 50 percent of irrigated area with 20 million tube wells installed. India has built nearly 5,000 major or medium dams, barrages, etc. to store the river waters and enhance ground water recharging. The important dams have an aggregate gross storage capacity of 170 billion cubic metres. About 15 percent of India’s food is being produced using rapidly depleting / mining groundwater resources. The end of the era of massive expansion in groundwater use is going to demand greater reliance on surface water supply systems. More Info

Curated Coverage

1. Business Line – PM Modi launches Atal Bhujal Scheme for efficient groundwater management in 7 States

2. Hindustan Times – At Atal Bhujal Yojana launch, PM Modi’s lesson on the art of communication

3. Economic Times – PM Modi launches Atal Jal Yojana aimed at improving groundwater level

#AtalBhujalYojana #GroundwaterManagement #Policy