Atal Bhujal Yojana is the scheme formulated by the Ministry of Water Resources to improve management of ground water in priority areas in the country. The aim of the ABHY is to address the criticality of ground water resources in various parts of the country. Atal Bhujal Yojana envisages community participation for improving preservation of ground water. 

Priority areas under Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY)

The priority areas under the ABHY are scattered across the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. These states are known for over exploitation of ground water. About 25% of over-exploited ground water reserves in India is situated in these states.  Two types of groundwater systems are used in India – alluvial and hard rock aquifers-. Various institutions in these states are ready for better management of ground water. These institutions have vast experience in groundwater management too. Implementation of the ABHY will  benefit nearly 8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts in these states.

Alluvial and hard rock aquifers

An aquifer comprises of unconsolidated material deposited by water. Aquifers are normally found near to rivers and in buried paleochannels. Alluvial aquifers consists of clay, gravel, silt, sand or similar unconsolidated material which are deposited by running water. Alluvial aquifers can store and transmit groundwater. These can be  developed as a good source of water. These aquifers are normally narrow and vulnerable to pollution.

Hard rock is a term coined by drillers to indicate poor drillability of rocks. In India, two-thirds of the total surface of the country consists of hard rocks. In most of the hard rock areas in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan, groundwater availability is a problem due to shortage of rainfall.

Approval of Atal Bhujal Yojana by World Bank

The World Bank has approved Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) for assistance. The scheme is a Rs.6000 crore Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development  and Ganga Rejuvenation. The implementation period of the scheme is five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23. The scheme is already recommended by the Expenditure Finance Committee. Now the Ministry requires Cabinet approval for the project. 

Utilization of funds under Atal Bhujal Yojana and implementation of the scheme

Funds under the Atal Bhujal Yojana will be extended to the states for strengthening the institutions responsible for ground water governance. Portion of fund will be utilized for boosting community involvement for bettering ground water management. Behavioural changes are required to ensure conservation and efficient use of water. The scheme also aims convergence of ongoing Government schemes for better implementation in identified priority areas. Funds under the scheme will be distributed as grants to the participating states.

Community participation crucial for success of Atal Bhujal Yojana

Active community participation in groundwater management is crucial for ensuring success of the scheme. The scheme envisages active participation of the communities in various actions such as formation of Water User Associations, monitoring and disseminating ground water data, water budgeting, preparation and implementation of Gram-Panchayat wise water security plans and IEC activities related to sustainable ground water management. Community participation is envisaged to facilitate bottom-up groundwater planning process to improve the effectiveness of public financing and align implementation of various government programs on groundwater in the participating states.

Benefits envisaged from Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY)

The implementation of the ABHY is expected to have several positive results. They are: 
a. Improved awareness on ground water usage, 
b. Community participation for addressing issues related to ground water exhaustion c. Sustainable ground water management through convergence of on-going and new schemes 
d. Implementation of efficient water use practices 
e. Minimize ground water use for irrigation and 
f. Expansion of ground water resources in targeted areas.