Under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 1.0 programme, Rajasthan has made it to the top three spots nationally for water conservation and groundwater rejuvenation efforts. This initiative is under a Central initiative to encourage people to participate in water resource management.

As per the report of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Rajasthan has successfully constructed 3.64 lakh water conservation structures, Telangana (5.2 lakh) and Chhattisgarh (4 lakh).

This was announced by the Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil also shared that the top-performing states will be honoured by the President Droupadi Murmu at the 6th National Water Awards to be held on November 18 in New Delhi, under Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign.

Top water conservation work in different districts of Rajasthan

Districts that performed well are Bhilwara and Barmer districts surpassed all other districts in water conservation work. Bhilwara has saved up to 1,04,945 and Barmer 79,055 conservation works respectively. This was followed by Jaipur (43,204), Udaipur (32,700), and Alwar (26,687). As per the official statement, these efforts of water conservation have drastically improved the groundwater levels.

In a conversation with The CSR Journal, a social worker who has dedicated two decades or more in water conservation work, Teja Ram Mali shared that this success is a big achievement and it would not have been possible without community involvement, “When I started the need for water was a pressing issue, and still an issue at many places, it was through combined effort of community, gram panchayats and NGO like us, that such changes are now evident.

Pond in Nosal village in Ajmer district that stores 25 crore litre per year

Photo credit- Sanjay Malakar

How has the water conservation project helped?

A soil scientist at the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur, Rajesh Goyal said, “Above-average rainfall over the past three years has accelerated conservation efforts and groundwater recharge,” Goyal further noted that, “Rising water tables are expected to boost irrigation and enable multiple cropping cycles, ultimately improving farmer incomes.”

Environmental expert Sushila shared that Rajasthan’s water strategy is unique for its mix of traditional wisdom and modern infrastructure. “Rajasthan’s model is a combination of ancient systems like tankas, johads and chaukas and current watershed development and urban projects such as the Bisalpur pipeline for Jaipur has even enhanced the whole system.”

She further noted that the Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan (MJSA) that was launched in 2016 has been the cornerstone of these efforts, more than 3.5 lakh structures at village-level is a self-reliance project.

Recognizing the effort of the top performing districts in Rajasthan under the JSJB will get a financial award of Rs 2 crore for Category 1, Rs 1 crore for Category 2, and Rs 25 lakh for Category 3.

Farmer Narayan Prajapat starts farming after ground table increased

Photo credit- Sanjay Malakar

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