The main objective of the National Water Mission is “conservation of water,
minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within
States through integrated water resources development and management”.
The five
identified goals of the Mission are:
(a) comprehensive water data base in public domain
and assessment of impact of climate change on water resource;
(b) promotion of citizen
and state action for water conservation, augmentation and preservation;
(c) focused
attention to over-exploited areas;
(d) increasing water use efficiency by 20%, and
(e)
promotion of basin level integrated water resources management.
Ground water levels in various parts of India are declining as the country could not adequately recharge aquifers in deficit areas where it has been used for irrigation, industries and drinking water needs of the growing population over the years.
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has told the ministry of water resources that around 56% of the wells, which are analyzed to keep a tab on ground water level, showed decline in its level in 2013 as compared to the average of preceding 10 years (2003-12) period.
The CGWB, a government agency, came to this conclusion by analyzing 10,219 wells across the country. It found that 5,699 wells had reported decline during that period. It also concluded that agriculture sector is the biggest user of water followed by domestic and industrial sector.
Depleting ground water level may be a real worry if one looks at the future demand of water in India. It is estimated that the country would need 1,180 billion cubic meter (BCM) of water annually by 2050. India has, at present, annual potential of 1,123 BCM of 'utilizable' water with 690 BCM coming from surface water resources and remaining 433 BCM from ground water resources.
The government has already decided to set up a National Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (NBWUE) under its 'National Water Mission' to promote water conservation in a big way, keeping in mind the future requirement.
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