Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal): A Step Towards Groundwater Sustainability

The Atal Bhujal Yojana, also known as Atal Jal, was launched on 25th December 2019 to mark the 95th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This important scheme is being run for five years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

It focuses on saving groundwater through community-based planning and action. The scheme is led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and covers 8,562 gram panchayats in 80 districts across seven states: Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Objectives of Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal)

• To improve groundwater management in water-scarce areas.
• To encourage people to shift from water use to water conservation.
• To support this goal using various central and state schemes together.
• To promote community-led planning for water usage.

Who Benefits from This Scheme?

• Farmers, especially small and marginal ones.
• Women and agricultural labourers in rural areas.
• Government agencies that manage groundwater.
• Rural communities that face water issues like droughts or floods.
• Educational institutions, NGOs, and researchers working on water management.

Main Features

• Focuses on community participation in seven water-stressed states.
• Aims to double farmers’ income and improve water source sustainability.
• The total budget is ₹6,000 crore (US$ 719 million).
• Half of the amount is funded by the World Bank.
• The other half is funded by the Indian government.
• Funds are given to states and gram panchayats as grants-in-aid.
• In 2023, the scheme won the ‘Best Sustainable Water Management – Government’ award by Water Digest Magazine.

Recent Developments

In September 2023, Uttarakhand created a steering committee to improve groundwater levels in three districts (Champawat, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar).

In June 2024, Haryana approved a ₹184.24 crore plan to use incentive funds for projects like riverbed recharge, AI pump controllers, and rainwater harvesting.

The state has received ₹615.37 crore in total due to its good performance.

Financial Outlay

Link with Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

• When JJM started, only 17% of rural homes had tap water.
• By July 2023, around 64.9% had received tap water connections.
• The rest will be covered by 2024.

How the Scheme Works

1. Support Tools and Technology

• A Management Information System (MIS) is used to guide the programme.
• Promotes volumetric water metering and real-time data systems.

2. Community-Based Institutions

• Focuses on building local institutions and planning at the village level.
• Promotes people’s participation and awareness programmes.

3. Improving Efficiency and Recharge

• Supports groundwater recharge projects and encourages water-saving methods.

Components of the Scheme

• Improve groundwater monitoring and data sharing.
• Build local water user associations.
• Reward states that:
• Share water data.
• Create Water Security Plans.
• Manage water better through other government schemes.

Conclusion

The Atal Bhujal Yojana is a major step towards solving India’s groundwater crisis. It focuses on saving water, using it wisely, and making local communities responsible for its management. By using modern tools and community efforts, the scheme aims to create a water-secure future for India.

With the combined support of the government, local bodies, and the public, Atal Jal can bring lasting changes and help India tackle water stress in a sustainable and people-friendly way.