Amid Looming Water Crisis, Centre Launches Countrywide Water Conservation Scheme Focusing On 256 Vulnerable Districts

With a worsening water crisis gripping the nation, the Modi Government jumped into action with its Ministry for Jal Shakti on Monday (1 July) launching a new water conservation scheme focussed on 256 districts with the lowest availability of groundwater, reports LiveMint.

During the launch of the scheme, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat warned that the situation could worsen in the years to come as India remains highly vulnerable to a water crisis, especially from the perspective of climate risks.

“Half of India is water-stressed. The need is to start a jan andolan (mass movement) so that we can conserve water for future generations. At present, we are only being able to save 8 per cent of the rainwater; this percentage needs to go up," Shekhawat stressed.

The scheme launched on Monday targets 256 districts and 1,592 blocks spread across all states, where there is over-exploitation of groundwater. The states with the highest number of these districts are Rajasthan (29), Tamil Nadu (27) and Telangana (24).

Under the programme, the Centre will also be mobilising the farmers through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and urge them to shift to efficient irrigation practices.