New Delhi: Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat recently inaugurated the fifth edition of the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” campaign, at the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi. Themed “Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti,” the campaign focuses on women’s pivotal role in water conservation and management. It operates under the National Water Mission, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation in collaboration with the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation.
Two books were virtually inaugurated during the launch: “Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2019 to 2023- The Journey for Sustainable Water Future” and “101 glimpses of Women Power: Through the prism of Jal Jeevan Mission.” The event kicked off with a ‘Jal Kalash’ ceremony that symbolises collective commitment to water conservation.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Shekhawat discussed the significance of water conservation and the vital role of women in achieving it. He praised women’s contributions to various schemes like Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Jal Jeevan Mission and Atal Bhujal Yojna.
Shekhawat informed that an estimated 24 lakh women have been trained to test ground water samples to ensure quality supply of groundwater. He also highlighted that the Gram Panchayat comprises 33% of women during the preparation of water budget and security plans.
He also appreciated their potential to bring positive change in water resource management and viewed the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” – 2024 as a “transformative movement towards a water-secure and sustainable future.”
Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR, Debashree Mukherjee, reminded attendees about the burden of water collection on women and stressed the importance of clean water sources for community transformation. She commended the central and state governments’ efforts in addressing water-related challenges.
The campaign’s interventions include following aims:
- Preservation of water resources and collection of rainwater.
- Surveying, geotagging, and cataloging all water bodies; devising scientific strategies for water preservation.
- Establishment of Jal Shakti Kendras in every district.
- Vigorous tree planting initiatives.
- Creating awareness regarding water conservation.
In addition to these measures, the JSA: CTR 2024 will particularly emphasise the following aspects this year:
- Clearing sediment and debris from water bodies.
- Restoring abandoned or non-functional borewells to replenish groundwater.
- Geotagging water bodies and meticulously updating state revenue records with mapping.
- Intensifying efforts to plant trees in areas surrounding water sources.
- Implementing snow harvesting techniques in mountainous regions such as Ladakh for water conservation.
- .Undertaking initiatives to revive small rivers.
“Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024” will run from March 9 to November 30, 2024. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Chandra Bhushan Kumar, the Additional Secretary and Mission Director of Jal Jeevan Mission, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
