Chhattisgarh has positioned itself as the leading state in India for rainwater harvesting and water conservation by achieving the highest accolades in the third phase of the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s campaigns, ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ (JSJB) and ‘Catch the Rain’. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai made a presentation regarding the state’s innovative water conservation efforts during a departmental summit held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Emphasising Community Participation and Innovative Measures

During the ‘Catch the Rain’ session, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao detailed various initiatives, including rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge strategies, which have been driven by the community. In his address, Chief Minister Sai put forward a model rooted in public participation and suggested four key measures aimed at enhancing national water conservation efforts. These included tailor-made ‘Catch the Rain’ plans for states, the introduction of ‘State Water Awards’ to honour exemplary states, mapping of water structures through the Bharatiya Space Applications Centre-National (BISAG-N), and conducting quarterly reviews led by the Chief Secretary.

Reflecting on his personal experiences as a farmer, Sai expressed his understanding of water’s critical importance. He noted that Chhattisgarh accounts for roughly 4% of the nation’s geographical area and has excelled within the ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ campaign. The state has broadened its approach, transforming water conservation from merely a governmental initiative into a vigorous public campaign involving farmers, local councils, and communities.

Spotlight on the ‘5 Per Cent Model’

Chief Minister Sai highlighted the innovative ‘5 Per Cent Model’ implemented in Koriya district as a strong example of farmer engagement in conservation. Under this programme, participating farmers willingly allocate 5% of their land for groundwater recharge, where mechanisms are designed to capture rainwater and facilitate its gradual infiltration into the earth. This initiative is expected to bolster groundwater levels and enhance water availability for agriculture and other purposes.

The state’s methodology includes a focus on integrating various schemes and departments, keeping track via geo-tagging of water structures, and fostering community involvement. Key participants in this campaign include ‘Jal Sakhis’ and ‘Jal Mitras’, in addition to farmers and local residents. Sai affirmed Chhattisgarh’s readiness to share its successful water conservation approaches with other states.

Performance Milestones in JSJB Campaign

Chhattisgarh has consistently excelled in all three phases of the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s JSJB campaign. In JSJB 1.0, the state constructed 4,05,561 water conservation structures, earning it a second-place ranking nationwide. For JSJB 2.0, work commenced on 24,07,456 structures, with 23,07,768 completed, again placing Chhattisgarh second. Now, in the third phase, the state leads with 79,775 reported water conservation structures, of which 77,719 have been completed, establishing it as the top performer in the campaign.

The initiative is designed to mitigate rainwater runoff and promote groundwater replenishment, thus aiding in the availability of water in wells and borewells. Notably, several districts in Chhattisgarh, such as Surajpur, Mahasamund, Balod, Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara, and Kabirdham, are recognised among the top ten districts for their water conservation efforts, owing to remarkable community involvement.

Reductions in Groundwater-Stressed Blocks

Chhattisgarh has seen a significant decline in groundwater-stressed blocks classified as ‘critical’ and ‘semi-critical’, dropping from 26 to 19. The number of blocks deemed ‘critical’ is also anticipated to return to normal, highlighting the effectiveness of the state’s ongoing conservation initiatives.

In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of ‘Catch the Rain—Where It Falls, Let It Be Stored’, Chhattisgarh is executing water harvesting and groundwater recharge initiatives tailored to its unique geographical conditions. With a nationwide goal of creating 2 crore new water structures by May 31, 2027, Chhattisgarh’s experience underscores the impact of collaborative efforts in water conservation, which enhances agricultural resilience and fosters sustainable development, particularly benefiting rural communities. Senior officials, including Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh and Water Resources Department Secretary Rajesh Sukumar Toppo, were present at the summit.

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