In a countrywide effort to enhance water security, especially in water-stressed districts, the Centre initiated the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), which has delivered over 3.5 lakh water conservation measures across 256 districts. Out of these, 1.54 lakh relate to water conservation and rainwater harvesting, 20,000 relate to rejuvenation of traditional water bodies, over 65,000 are reuse and recharge structures, and 1.23 lakh are watershed development projects. An estimated 2.64 crore people have participated in the Abhiyan, making it a Jan Andolan. About 4.25 crore saplings have been planted as part of the effort. The outcome of the first phase of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan was reviewed by the Cabinet Secretary in New Delhi today.
Chairing the review, Union Cabinet Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar Sinha appreciated the efforts and commitment shown by nodal officers in the campaign and encouraged them to work closely with districts to bring meaningful change through key interventions. He said, “JSA has created a lot of momentum in the country and will benefit people in the years ahead. Our aim is to ensure that benefits reach farmers at the grassroots level.”
Shri Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), said that the JSA has led to an increase in groundwater levels, surface water storage capacity, soil moisture in farmlands, and vegetation cover. The campaign is a collaborative effort of various ministries of the Centre and state governments and focuses on water conservation, which has gained strong momentum in recent weeks.
The campaign is being implemented with the involvement of about 1,300 central government officers along with state and district officials, who undertake field visits as part of the programme.
Workshop with Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, founders of Paani Foundation
The workshop included presentations by NGOs working in water conservation, sharing successful interventions and strategies. Shri Aamir Khan, founder of Paani Foundation, presented films highlighting grassroots stories from Maharashtra where community mobilisation has improved water conditions. He emphasized the importance of educating villagers about water conservation and involving them in sustainable practices.
Shri Kalyan Paul, Executive Director of the Pan Himalayan Grassroots Development Foundation, highlighted the role of women in water conservation in mountain regions. Aranyak, an NGO from Northeast India, presented traditional systems such as the “Dong Bundh” method of water conservation. Representatives from Arghyam stressed the importance of community participation, skill development, and local ownership in managing water resources.
The review meeting-cum-workshop was attended by Union Secretaries, who provided inputs related to their departments. Shri T.P. Singh, Advisor, MeitY, presented on the use of space and geospatial technologies in water conservation.
