Introduction
- Rajasthan is the largest state of the country has an area of 343 lac hectare. Out of this only 168 lac hectares is arable land. State has 101 lac hectare of land under wasteland.
- The Aravali range extends from South West to North East divides the state in two parts; on its best there is Thar desert which has an area around 60% of the state. The annual rainfall is 100 mm in dry hot West to 900 mm in South East. Generally out of five years, 3 years are drought affected means untimely, uncertain & varied distribution of rainfall, this is responsible for the unstable crop production. Large part of the rainfall goes waste due to high intensity of rainfall in small time. Proper utilization of runoff does not take place due to lack of Water Harvesting Structures in the watershed area results continuous decline in water level of the wells.
- Normally in Rajasthan duration of rainfall is large which has adverse effect on crop production. Due to decline in crop production of farmer and conversion of arable land to wasteland, there is scarcity of fuel, fodder, milk resulting for their weak socio- economic condition.
- Scarcity of water is the main reason for this situation. Watershed Department if work for preparation of an Action Plan in coordination with other departments, it will definitely be able to provide water for drinking purpose and for assured irrigation.
- As State has 75 percent rural population which depends on agriculture and livestock for their livelihood, hence in light of these conditions of state there is need of Mukhya Mantri Jal Swawlamban Abhiyan to utilize the Four Waters- Rainfall, runoff, Ground Water & in-situ Soil Moisture keeping watershed or Cluster/ index catchment as a unit for Western Rajasthan where there is scanty rainfall & no defined drainage lines.
Objectives of “Mukhya Mantri Jal Swawalamban Abhiyan”
- To ensure effective implementation of water conservation and water harvesting related activities in rural areas through convergence of schemes of various departments keeping in view the existing guidelines.
- Implementation of works through people’s participation by motivating villagers & beneficiaries.
- At village level in Gram sabha after determination of usage of water like drinking, irrigation, livestock & for other commercial purpose & preparing water budget keeping in view of water available from various resources , accordingly works will be identified and proposal get approved for the preparation of action plan of mission.
- Harvesting of available runoff (rain water, ground water, under-ground water & in situ soil moisture) in rural area by treatment of catchment, proper utilization of available water harvesting structures, renovation of the non functional water harvesting structures & creation of new water harvesting structures.
- Development of Forest, land, water & fauna keeping watershed/cluster/index as a unit for natural resource management.
- Permanent Solution of drinking water by making the Village self sufficient in terms of water.
- To increase the Irrigated area through water harvesting & conservation.
Scope of Campaign
Water Harvesting & conservation works will be implemented from the funds available under State departments, Non Government Organizations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), peoples participation, Non Residents Villagers Club (NRV Club) etc to prevent the villages of Rajasthan from drought by doing watershed wise water budgeting for permanent solution. In first year around 3000 villages on the basis of priority will be identified and, in coming 3 years by including around 6000 villages every year 21000 villages of the State will be benefited by the mission & permanent solution will be achieved by making them self sufficient in terms of water. In remaining villages works will be implemented as per priority list in phased manner.
Institutional Arrangements
- State Rural Water Conservation Mission
- State level Directional Committee
- State level task group
- District level Monitoring Committee
- District Level Committee
- Block Level Committee
- Village Level Committee to prepare Action Plan
Sanction of District Action Plan
A District Mission Plan will be issued by the District Collector after approval from the District Level Committee on priority of the works approved by the Gram Sabha
Administrative and Financial Sanction
The administrative and financial sanctions of the amount received under “Mukhya Mantri Jal Swawlamban Abhiyan” will be issued by district collector or the officer authorized by him after the approval of District Level Committee constituted under the chairmanship of District Collector. Sanction of departmental works will be issued by the competent authority as per the guidelines of the Mission. Detailed direction will be issued separately.
Technical Sanction
Technical sanction will be issued by competent technical officer of the concerned department. Separate record & registers of technical sanctions will be maintained by the technical officers, authorized by District Collector, under “Mukhya Mantri Jal Swawlamban Abhiyan”.
Preparation of Priority list of villages
- Villages where IWMP / other watershed Project e.g. “Four Water Concept” etc. are sanctioned.
- Villages where drinking water is not potable or fluoride quantity is in excess.
- Villages where drinking water supplied by tankers during last five years.
- Villages those declared famine / deficit during last five years.
- Villages where 70 % of agriculture land is rainfed.
- Adarsh villages under Chief Minister, MP, MLA & other schemes.
- Villages come under cluster in forest department.
- Villages willing to participate/contribute in this scheme.