BHARAT TAP Initiative

• 13 May 2022

For Prelims: Need to Conserve Water, Swachh Bharat Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Transformation (AMRUT), AMRUT 2.0, Initiatives Related to Water Conservation.

For Mains: Water Conservation, Government Policies & Interventions.

Why in News?

Recently, the Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs launched the BHARAT TAP initiative at the ‘Plumbex India’ exhibition. This exhibition is aimed at products and services related to the plumbing, water, and sanitation industry.

• At the exhibition, NAREDCO (National Real Estate Development Council) MAHI’s ‘Nirmal Jal Prayas’ initiative was also launched.

What is BHARAT TAP Initiative?

• It is a concept to use low flow tap and fixtures.
  • It will provide low-flow, sanitary-ware at scale, and thereby reduce water consumption at the source considerably.
• It is estimated to save approximately 40% of water. This will in turn result in water saving and energy saving due to less water and energy will be required for pumping, transporting, and purification.
• This initiative will also be accepted quickly in the country and will lead to a renewed focus on water conservation efforts.

What is NAREDCO MAHI?

• It seeks to help solve the global water crisis, removing the financial barriers that stand between people in need and access to safe water and sanitation at home.
  • Nirmal Jal Prayas’ initiative will look into mapping ground water as it is very important to save underground water and will work to save 500 crore litres of water per year.
• The women wing of NAREDCO, was set up in 2021 with an aim to empower women entrepreneurs and encourage the participation of women in the real estate sector and allied fields.
  • It strives to create an environment where women in the real estate sector can come together to share experiences, harnesses their skills, draw on their resources, influence, grow and bring about lasting change.
  • Such an initiative in water conservation will be of immense importance to save water.

What is the Need to Conserve Water?

• Increased Demand: There is an increased demand for water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural needs and limited surface water resources.
• Limited Storage: Limited storage facilities owing to the hard rock terrain, along with the added disadvantage of lack of rainfall, especially in central Indian states.
• Over-extraction of Groundwater: Green Revolution enabled water-intensive crops to be grown in drought-prone/ water deficit regions, leading to over-extraction of groundwater.
  • Frequent pumping of water from the ground without waiting for its replenishment leads to quick depletion.
• Contamination: Water contamination, as in the case of pollution by landfills, septic tanks, leaky underground gas tanks, and from overuse of fertilizers and pesticides leads to damage and depletion of groundwater resources.
• Inadequate Use: Inadequate regulation of groundwater encourages the exhaustion of groundwater resources without any penalty.
• Deforestation & Unscientific Methods: Deforestation, unscientific methods of agriculture, chemical effluents from industries, and lack of sanitation also lead to pollution of groundwater, making it unusable.

What are the other Initiatives for Water Conservation?

• Swachh Bharat Mission:
  • In contrast to the construction or supply led programs of the past (Central Rural Sanitation Programme), SBM is a demand-centric model. It focuses on behaviour change to generate demand for sanitation services by the rural population which is then followed by supply.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Transformation (AMRUT):
  • The purpose of this mission is to ensure that every household has access to a tap with an assured supply of water and a sewerage connection.
    • To ensure that every household has access to a tap with an assured supply of water and a sewerage connection.
• AMRUT 2.0:
  • AMRUT 2.0 aims to provide 100% coverage of water supply to all households in around 4,700 ULBs (Urban Local Bodies).
  • It also seeks to promote Atmanirbhar Bharat through encouraging Startups and Entrepreneurs (Public Private Partnership).
• The National Aquifer Mapping and Management Program (NAQUIM):
  • It envisages mapping of aquifers (water-bearing formations), their characterization, and the development of Aquifer Management Plans to facilitate sustainable management of groundwater resources.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act:
  • Aims to improve groundwater harvesting, build water conservation and storage mechanisms, and has enabled the government to introduce water conservation as a project under the Act.
• Jal Kranti Abhiyan:
  • Active efforts to revolutionise villages and cities through block-level water conservation schemes.
  • For example, the Jal Gram Scheme under it aimed at developing two model villages in water-starved areas for water conservation and preservation.
• National Water Mission:
  • Aims to conserve water, minimise wastage and ensure more equitable distribution both across and within states through integrated water resources development and management.
• NITI Aayog's Composite Water Management Index:
  • Aims to achieve effective utilization of water.
• Jal Shakti Ministry and Jal Jeevan Mission:
  • Jal Shakti Ministry was formed to tackle water issues holistically.
  • Jal Jeevan mission aims to provide piped water to all rural households by 2024.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana:
  • Central sector scheme for sustainable management of groundwater with community participation through the formation of Water User Associations, water budgeting, preparation and implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans, etc.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan:
  • Launched in July 2019 as a campaign for water conservation and water security in the country.
• National Water Awards:
  • Organised by the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
  • Focus on the good work and efforts made by individuals and organisations across the country, and the government’s vision for the path to Jal Samridh Bharat.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year’s Question (PYQs):

Q. If National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, how will it impact the country? (2012)

1. Part of the water needs of urban areas will be met through recycling of waste-water.
2. The water requirements of coastal cities with inadequate alternative sources of water will be met by adopting appropriate technologies that allow for the use of ocean water.
3. All the rivers of Himalayan origin will be linked to the rivers of peninsular India.
4. The expenses incurred by farmers for digging bore-wells and for installing motors and pumpsets to draw ground-water will be completely reimbursed by the Government.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: B

Source: PIB