New Delhi, April 07: It is true that springs are good and major sources of water in the North-East Region, as both rural and urban communities depend on springs for meeting their drinking, domestic and agricultural water needs.
Based on the District Census Handbook, 2001, 11956 villages with springs have been identified. It has been reported by NITI Aayog in collaboration with International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) that 50% of springs have either dried up or are on the verge of getting dried up .
The primary causes of drying of springs in North –East Region may be ascribed to erratic rainfall pattern, seismic activity, ecological degradation, deforestation, land degradation, shifting cultivation, etc. which affect aquifers recharge adversely.
The drying up of mountain springs has reduced the availability and access to water for people in the affected areas, including in the North Eastern States.
To address this issue, the Government of India has taken several measures including launch,approval of schemes, such as, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate amounts ( at the rate of 55 litre per capita per day ) to every rural/household in the country, including those in the North Eastern States, by 2024.
Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of water bodies scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) ; Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PKSKY) for providing financial assistance to identified minor irrigation projects using surface water; Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna.
Har Khet Ko Paani – Ground Water Irrigation (PMKSY-HKKP-GW) to provide financial assistance to States for assured ground water irrigation to small and marginal farmers, etc. This information was given by the Minister for Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
