Centre launches ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ for water conservation

NEW DELHI: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Jal Shakti Minister, on July 1, announced the beginning of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan – a campaign for water conservation and water security. The campaign will involve citizens’ participation during the monsoon season, from July 1, 2019 to September 15, 2019. An additional Phase 2 will run from October 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019 for states receiving the North East retreating monsoons. The focus of the campaign will be on water stressed districts and blocks.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, said that the government aims at providing drinking water to every household on priority and in a sustainable manner and the Jal Shakti Abhiyan will encourage people for water conservation. He also mentioned that the campaign aims at helping people to work on rain water harvesting, maintenance and upkeep of ponds and village tanks and conservation of water.

To promote the campaign to masses a video was released of a public service announcement carrying the message of the Prime Minister for all citizens to join the water conservation efforts in a proactive manner.

Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, informed that the Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a collaborative effort of various Ministries of the Government of India and State Governments, being coordinated by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS).

He said that teams of officers from the central government will visit and work with district administration in 1,592 water stressed blocks in 256 districts, to ensure five important water conservation interventions. These will be water conservation and rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks, reuse, bore well recharge structures, watershed development and intensive afforestation.  These water conservation efforts will also be supplemented with special interventions including the development of block and district water conservation plans, promotion of efficient water use for irrigation and better choice of crops through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

(With inputs from PIB)