Atal Bhujal Yojana is a central sector scheme for facilitating sustainable groundwater management, which was launched on December 25, 2019. PM Narendra Modi launched it on the 95th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Launching this scheme aims to improve groundwater management in seven states of India.
The scheme aims to demonstrate community-led sustainable groundwater management. The major water-stressed areas taken into focus under the scheme are Gujarat, Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Sustainable management will be done through convergence among numerous ongoing schemes with the active involvement of stakeholders and local communities.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources, funds will be allocated by the Central and State governments. The convergence shall result in incentives to the State Governments for suitable investments. A scientific approach, a robust database and community participation will aid it. The scheme is developed to strengthen the institutional framework and emphasises community participation and demand-side intervention. It also aims to bring change in the community by organising awareness programs.
Main strategies of the scheme
- A Management Information System is developed to standardise and operationalise program implementation across the participating states. It will be used for the preparation of water budgeting, Water Security Plans (WSPs), and reporting on the progress in implementation and monitoring of groundwater levels and qualities of WSPs.
- The scheme will strengthen community-based institutions to foster management. The incentives provided under the scheme will trigger initiatives to build the required information for participatory planning, the base for bottom-up, and the implementation of appropriate groundwater management and use interventions.
- The scheme supports on-ground actions based on judicious management and community ownership of water resources. It focuses on enhancing groundwater recharge and improving water use efficiency. It also raises awareness about the importance of groundwater governance and supports real-time data systems.
- The program supports the general move of the Government of India towards fiscal decentralisation rather than just focusing on state institutions. The funds from the Atal Jal mission are to flow from the central government to the state government and from them to the appropriate implementing levels.
Groundwater agencies concerned in each state
- Gujarat- Gujarat Water Resources Development Corporation Limited under the Department of Water Resources
- Karnataka- State Ground Water Directorate under the Water Resources Department
- Haryana- Ground Water Cell under the Department of Agriculture
- Maharashtra- Ground Water Surveys and Development Agency
- Madhya Pradesh- Ground Water Division under the State Water Resources Department
- Rajasthan- Ground Water Directorate under the Public Health Engineering Department
Who will get benefit from the program?
- The program recipients are the occupations, economies and social orders that depend on the groundwater assets for well-being and flourishing.
- The program will positively impact women, agricultural labourers and small marginal farmers.
- It will also impact the Central and State government agencies responsible for groundwater management.
- Poor people living in rural areas and populations affected by droughts and floods.
- Research and educational institutions, environmental and agricultural ministries, civil society organisations, NGOs, private sectors, students, and researchers.
