Parliament Question: Acute Water Stress in Khajuraho

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3153 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2026 ACUTE WATER STRESS IN KHAJURAHO

3153. Shri VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that the Khajuraho Lok Sabha Constituency comprising Panna, Chhatarpur and Katni districts continues to face acute water stress due to erratic monsoon, rapid surface runoff, hard-rock aquifers, declining groundwater levels, deterioration of traditional water bodies and inadequate irrigation, causing hardship to farmers and rural communities and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to prepare a scientific watershed-based

Integrated Water Security Plan under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain and the Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies Scheme including GIS-based watershed mapping, revival of traditional water bodies, catchment treatment, recharge structures, check dams and farm ponds in view of the urgency and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the Government proposes to provide a special Central assistance package for the drought-prone Bundelkhand region and if so, the details thereof along with the timeline fixed therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) 1(a) to (c) ‘Water’ being a State subject, the aspects related to water resources including its conservation are studied, planned, funded and executed by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priorities.

The Central Government supplements the measures and efforts being taken up by the State Governments.

The State Government of Madhya Pradesh reported that, i. The Government is aware that certain areas of the Khajuraho Parliamentary Constituency experience localized water scarcity due to natural factors such as variability in rainfall, rapid surface runoff and hard-rock geological formations.

ii. As per the latest CGWB assessment, no block in the districts of Panna, Chhatarpur and Katni is classified as Critical or Over- exploited with respect to groundwater extraction. iii. The Government undertakes Scientific watershed-based planning using the YuktDhara and Software for Identification and Planning of Rural Infrastructure (SIPRI) platforms, which facilitate GIS-based planning and prioritization of Natural Resource Management (NRM) works. These platforms integrate spatial and scientific data to support the preparation of watershed development plans based on local resource conditions. The GIS-based planning is utilized for identification and planning of appropriate interventions such as rejuvenation of water bodies, catchment area treatment, groundwater recharge structures, drainage line treatment, farm ponds, check dams and other water conservation measures.

In 2019, the Ministry of Jal Shakti launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) as a time-bound, mission-mode water conservation campaign in 256 water stressed districts of the country. The Hon'ble PM of India launched the campaign in 2021

as Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) with the message, "Catch the 2Rain: Where It Falls, When It Falls." Since then, JSA: CTR evolved into a national movement, reinforcing India's collective commitment to water security through localised action and institutional convergence. The JSA: CTR campaign was implemented nationwide and each edition had included a targeted focus since 2023 to maximize impact. The JSA: CTR 2023, with the theme “Source Sustainability for Drinking Water,” prioritized 150 special focus districts identified by the Jal Jeevan Mission. The JSA: CTR 2024 campaign, themed “Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti,” was carried out across the country with a special focus on 151 districts identified by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

The JSA: CTR 2025 was launched with the theme “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari:

Jan Jagrukta Ki Or” emphasizing deeper grassroots engagement, inter-sectoral convergence and innovative financing mechanisms with special focus on 148 districts identified by CGWB.

To further strengthen the momentum of Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, the “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB)” initiative with intensified community partnership, was launched in Surat, Gujarat on September 2024. In June 2025, JSJB 2.0 was launched. The implementation cycle for JSJB 2.0 commenced on 1 June 2025 and concluded on 31 May 2026.

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (JSJB: CTR) – 2026 was launched on 1st June 2026 enhancing the scope of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB)

initiative and simultaneously integrating it with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign. The initiative focuses on intensifying community action and mobilization to build low-cost rainwater harvesting structures in low cost and saturation mode.

The objective is to ensure that every drop of water is conserved through collective efforts, following a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach. By fostering community ownership, the initiative seeks to develop cost-effective, local solutions at the micro level for water conservation and ground water recharge. The initiative is guided by the 3Cs principle— 3Community, CSR and Cost, ensuring effective convergence and maximized outcomes. The Government promotes the initiative in partnership with State Governments and local authorities to ensure its widespread reach and awareness. The initiative aims at forging partnership with stakeholders such as NGOs, Trusts, Civil Societies and educational institutions to engage the broader community effectively. The progress of the campaign is monitored through online portal - JSJB: CTR (https://jsjb.mowr.gov.in).

The initiative leverages community funds, individual donations, Corporate Social Responsibility Funds and others for construction of low-cost structures like borewells, recharge shafts, recharge pits, using locally available material, to harvest rainwater, to boost ground water level and provide local tailor-made solution to water issues. The initiative also emphasizes convergent financing from various schemes of the Central, State and local bodies like Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Per Drop More Crop, Repair, Renovation and Restoration Components under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) and Finance Commission grants.

Village-level feasibility maps have been shared with districts to support technical planning and facilitate the effective implementation of water conservation and groundwater recharge interventions. In addition, districts across the country have prepared District Water Conservation Plans to ensure sustainable water management in their respective districts.

Under Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) and Repair, Renovation & Restoration

(RRR) of Water Bodies schemes, the Central Assistance (CA) is provided in the form of grant which is 100% of the project cost for UTs without legislature.

Central Assistance is 90% of the project cost for UTs with legislature and 7 North-Eastern states and Sikkim & Hilly States (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand). Further, Central Assistance/grant under SMI scheme is 60% of 4project cost for projects benefitting special areas including Bundelkhand region of UP and MP. Central Assistance under RRR of Water Bodies scheme is 60% of project cost for all other category.

Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development implements Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY) for the development of rainfed and degraded lands in the country, with the objectives of conserving soil and water resources, enhancing groundwater recharge, improving vegetative cover and strengthening the livelihoods of rural communities. The interventions include ridge-to-valley treatment, soil and moisture conservation measures, water harvesting structures, afforestation and livelihood activities, which contribute to improving water availability and enhancing climate resilience in rainfed areas.

Dynamic Ground Water Resources of the country including water-stressed regions are assessed jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State Governments. CGWB also prepared National Aquifer Mapping and Management

(NAQUIM) reports for the three districts falling under the Khajuraho Lok Sabha Constituency, namely Chhatarpur, Panna and Katni. Further, CGWB has undertaken hydrogeological and geophysical investigations in the Bundelkhand region to characterise the aquifer system, assess groundwater conditions and delineate groundwater-bearing formations.

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