Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2024 Campaign

The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, launched the fifth edition of the "Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain" campaign on March 9th, 2024, at the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi. This year's campaign, themed "Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti," emphasizes the integral role of women in water conservation and management.

Campaign Overview

Background and Objectives:

• • The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign was initiated in 2019 as a "Jan Andolan" (people's movement) to accelerate water conservation efforts across the country through citizen participation.
  • The campaign aims to create awareness and encourage active community involvement in water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge initiatives.
  • It falls under the National Water Mission, a joint collaboration between the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation.

Significance of "Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti" Theme:

• • The theme "Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti" underscores the pivotal role of women in water conservation and management efforts.
  • It recognizes the disproportionate burden borne by women in fetching water and their significant contributions to sustainable water practices.
  • The campaign aims to empower women as leaders and decision-makers in water resource management, acknowledging their unique perspectives and innovative approaches.

Focused Interventions:

• • Water conservation and rainwater harvesting
  • Enumerating, geo-tagging, and creating an inventory of all water bodies
  • Preparation of scientific plans for water conservation
  • Establishment of Jal Shakti Kendras (water resource centers) in all districts
  • Intensive afforestation efforts, especially in catchment areas of water bodies

Key Aspects of JSA: CTR 2024:

• • De-silting and cleaning of water bodies
  • Revitalizing abandoned or defunct borewells for groundwater recharge
  • Geo-tagging of water bodies and meticulous mapping in state revenue records
  • Intensified afforestation in catchment areas
  • Snow harvesting in hilly areas like Ladakh for water conservation
  • Rejuvenation of small rivers

Launch Event Highlights

The launch event commenced with the auspicious 'Jal Kalash' ceremony, symbolizing the collective commitment towards water conservation and sustainable use. Several dignitaries, including women warriors, Sarpanchs (village heads), members of Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), pump operators, NGOs, and officials from various ministries and state governments, participated in the event.

Union Minister's Address:

• • Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized the critical importance of water conservation and sustainable management.
  • He praised the commendable efforts of women in contributing to the success of schemes like Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Atal Bhujal Yojana.
  • The Minister highlighted the Prime Minister's vision of transitioning India from "Fragile Five" to one of the "Top 5" economies, necessitating effective integrated water management.
  • He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of central and state governments and appreciated the active participation of citizens in previous campaigns.

Secretary's Address:

• • Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, highlighted the burdensome task of water collection predominantly borne by women.
  • She underlined the success of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and its positive impact on rural areas, with 75% coverage of rural households with tap water connections.
  • Mukherjee called for collaborative efforts to ensure long-term sustainability of piped water supply schemes through rainwater conservation, groundwater recharge, and clean rivers.

Women Water Warriors:

• • The event featured inspiring stories from women water warriors from diverse backgrounds, showcasing their experiences, challenges, and successes in championing water conservation efforts.
  • Their narratives shed light on the transformative impact women have in nurturing sustainable water practices and serve as a source of inspiration for others.

Launch of Books:

• • The Union Minister virtually launched two books: "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."
  • These publications document the progress and achievements of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan campaigns and highlight the crucial role of women in water management initiatives.

The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2024 campaign represents the government's unwavering commitment to water conservation and sustainable development. By recognizing and empowering 'Nari Shakti' (women's power), the campaign envisions a transformative movement towards a water-secure and sustainable future for India. Through collaborative efforts, focused interventions, and active community participation, the campaign aims to address the pressing challenges of water scarcity and ensure equitable access to clean water for all.