Groundwater plays a crucial role in food and agricultural production, industrial development and supplying safe drinking water. However, the extent of groundwater extraction over the past few years has reduced the groundwater levels, and the effect of climate change has worked as a catalyst. Here, the Government of India has come forward to tackle this grave issue. Schemes such as the Atal Bhujal Yojana are one such example. This write-up gives detailed information about the Atal Bhujal Yojana, so stay tuned!

Atal Bhujal Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme that aims to enhance groundwater management via community participation.

The initiative of ABY assures the long-term sustainability of groundwater in India. The Prime Minister of India dedicated this scheme to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Hence, the Prime Minister of India launched it on 25 December 2019 on the 95th birth anniversary of the former PM.

The Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation is following a unique strategy to identify groundwater stressed blocks in seven states.

This scheme works with the principle objective of boosting the institutional framework of participating States. In addition, Atal Bhujal Scheme aims to bring behavioural changes at the community levels by conducting awareness programs, merging of old and new schemes, advanced agricultural practices, capacity building.

This Atal Bhujal Scheme has two components. These are,

• Incentive Component for incentivising the States for achievements in improved groundwater management practices
• Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building Component

As individuals have gained some insights into Atal Bhujal Yojana, we can move on to the eligibility conditions of this scheme.

The Government has selected seven States for implementing Atal Bhujal Scheme. These are as follows,

• Gujarat
• Karnataka
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Uttar Pradesh
• Rajasthan
• Haryana

To be precise, the list of districts chosen for the Atal Bhujal Yojana include 78 districts and approximately 8350 panchayats.

Following is a list of benefits of Atal Bhujal Yojana,

• ABY helps to revive water bodies, improve groundwater levels, especially in rural areas.
• This scheme allows active participation of local communities that ensure the sustainability of sources.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana will help to double the farmer’s income.
• This scheme boosts participatory groundwater management, enhanced cropping patterns and efficient water usage on a larger scale.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana will help in promoting the equitable and efficient use of groundwater usage and will bring behavioural changes at community levels.

Read the details about Atal Bhujal Yojana and understand the importance of groundwater management through community participation.