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| Empowering Water Conservation- Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2024 |
On March 11, 2024, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated the fifth iteration 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 spotlights the indispensable role of women in water conservation and management.
Campaign Overview:
The "Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain" campaign stands as a collaborative endeavor between the National Water Mission, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, and the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation. Its primary objective is to foster water conservation and sustainable management through active citizen engagement, with a particular emphasis on the pivotal contribution of women.
Key Aspects of JSA: CTR Campaign 2024:
This year’s campaign accentuates several crucial facets, including:
- De-silting and cleaning of water bodies
- Revitalization of abandoned/defunct borewells for groundwater recharge
- Geo-tagging of water bodies and updating state revenue records
- Intensified afforestation efforts in water body catchment areas
- Snow harvesting in hilly regions like Ladakh
- Rejuvenation of small rivers
Women’s Role in Water Conservation:
The launch ceremony showcased women water champions from diverse backgrounds, sharing their experiences, challenges, and accomplishments in spearheading water conservation endeavors. Approximately 24 lakh women have received training to conduct water sample tests using Field Testing Kits (FTK), ensuring the quality of piped water supply.
Atal Bhujal Yojna and Women’s Representation:
Under the Atal Bhujal Yojna, a minimum of 33% of Gram Panchayat members are women, actively involved in formulating water budgets and security plans. This initiative underscores the significance of women's involvement in decision-making processes concerning water resource management.
Success of Jal Jeevan Mission:
Launched in July 2019 by the Government of India, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has achieved a remarkable milestone, covering 75% of rural households with tap water connections, significantly enhancing societal well-being across rural India.
Focused Interventions of JSA: CTR 2024:
The campaign encompasses several targeted interventions, including:
- Water conservation and rainwater harvesting
- Enumeration, geo-tagging, and inventory creation of all water bodies
- Formulation of scientific plans for water conservation
- Establishment of Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts
- Intensive afforestation
- Awareness generation
Collaborative Efforts and People’s Participation:
The success of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan hinges on concerted efforts from central and state governments, along with active citizen involvement. Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat commended citizens' previous engagement and urged all to actively participate in the "Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain" campaign in 2024.