The article begins with the introduction of a notable initiative by the Indian government aimed at promoting sustainable management of groundwater and fostering community participation, the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY). The scheme, worth Rs.6,000 crore, aspires to embed conservation efforts in local communities through the establishment of ‘Water User Associations’ and the implementation of water security plans tailored to individual gram panchayats. This endeavor is spearheaded by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, previously known as the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation.
About Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY)
The ABHY is a centrally funded program which pledges a significant investment of Rs.6000 crore. The primary focus of the scheme is to kindle sustainable management of groundwater resources while also promoting active participation from local communities. Under this scheme, the Ministry of Jal Shakti oversees the formation of ‘Water User Associations’, conducts water budgeting, and the preparation & implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans.
Funding and Implementation
In terms of funding, the financial support for ABHY is split evenly between the Indian Government and the World Bank. Each party contributes 50% of the total cost. Having such significant backing offers the project a solid foundation and ensures the effective roll-out of all the planned activities.
Targeted Areas
The scheme’s rollout is targeted, focusing on over-exploited and water-stressed regions across India. Currently, these include the states of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. These states were selected based on several factors, including the degree of groundwater exploitation and degradation, the existence of legal and regulatory instruments, institutional readiness, and previous experience in implementing initiatives related to groundwater management.
Fact-Table
| State | Degree of Groundwater Exploitation | Institutional Readiness |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | High | Excellent |
| Haryana | Severe | Good |
| Karnataka | Moderate | Average |
Selection Criteria
The selection criteria for intervention under the ABHY scheme is gleaned from an assortment of factors. The ground reality of each state’s groundwater exploitation and degradation, the existence of legal & regulatory instruments, the readiness of institutions and their prior experience in groundwater management initiatives were all evaluated before deciding on the states.