Balrampur (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 13 (HBTV): The Chhattisgarh Government observed Water Conservation Week under the More Village More Water campaign from June 30 to July 7, as part of its broader commitment to sustainable water management. Nayantara Singh Tomar, Chief Executive Officer of the District Panchayat Balrampur, shared details of the campaign with ANI.

The initiative aligns with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in 2019, which initially targeted 1,592 blocks out of 2,836 in 256 water-stressed districts across India. In 2021, the government expanded the programme with Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, based on the theme Catch the Rain – Where it Falls, When it Falls. This campaign, launched by the Prime Minister, was extended to cover all blocks in both rural and urban areas and has since become an annual initiative.

On March 22, 2025, coinciding with World Water Day, Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Paatil launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain – 2025 with the theme Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari – Jan Jagrukta Ki Or. The campaign, running from March 22 to November 30, 2025, emphasises deeper grassroots engagement, convergence across sectors, and innovative financing approaches. A special focus has been placed on 148 districts identified by the Central Ground Water Board.

The campaign focuses on water conservation and rainwater harvesting, geo-tagging and inventory of water bodies to facilitate scientific conservation planning, establishment of Jal Shakti Kendras in each district, intensive afforestation, and widespread public awareness efforts.

Highlighting successful outcomes, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said during the Jal Ganga Conservation Campaign on June 30 that Khandwa had demonstrated exemplary work in water conservation. He noted that the Ministry of Jal Shakti had recognised the district’s efforts and that awareness around water conservation had increased significantly across the state.

(ANI)