Union Water Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated the 5th edition of the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” campaign on March 9, 2024, at the NDMC Convention Center in New Delhi. The campaign, aimed at promoting water conservation and sustainable management, is part of the National Water Mission, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, in collaboration with the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation. The campaign underscores the government’s commitment to addressing water-related challenges and ensuring a water-secure future for all citizens.
Changes in the Scheme as in 2024
The 5th edition of the campaign, themed “Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti,” highlights the integral role of women in water conservation and management. This year’s campaign emphasizes empowering women and ensuring their active participation in water conservation initiatives. Two significant additions to the campaign include the virtual launch of two books, “Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2019 to 2023” and “101 glimpses of Women Power: Through the prism of Jal Jeevan Mission,” aimed at documenting the journey and achievements of water conservation efforts.
About the Scheme
The “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024” campaign aims to accelerate water conservation efforts across urban and rural areas nationwide. Through public participation, the campaign focuses on activities such as water conservation, rainwater harvesting, setting up Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts, intensive afforestation, and awareness generation. The campaign also aims to raise awareness about the importance of water sustainability and the active role of women in achieving it.
Benefits of the Scheme
The campaign promotes gender equality and empowers women to actively participate in water conservation initiatives. By emphasizing the crucial role of women, the campaign aims to harness their potential in addressing water-related challenges effectively. Through focused interventions and public engagement, the scheme aims to achieve long-term sustainability of water resources and ensure access to clean and sustainable water sources for all. Additionally, the campaign seeks to create employment opportunities and promote economic growth through water conservation projects.
Data Insights
– Duration: March 9, 2024, to November 30, 2024
– Theme: “Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti”
– Initiatives: Water conservation, rainwater harvesting, setting up Jal Shakti Kendras, intensive afforestation, and awareness generation
– Objective: Accelerate water conservation efforts nationwide, empower women, promote economic growth
– Expected Impact: Long-term sustainability of water resources, access to clean water for all, employment generation, economic growth
– Training of Women: Approximately 24 lakh women have been trained to use Field Testing Kits (FTK) to ensure the quality of piped water supply.
– Tap Water Connections: The mission has successfully provided tap water connections to 75% of rural households, marking a significant achievement in enhancing access to clean water.
Achievements of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) Campaign Since 2019 :
– Over 1.29 crore water-related works have been undertaken across the country.
– 661 Jal Shakti Kendras have been established to facilitate water management initiatives.
– 527 districts have prepared District Water Conservation Plans under the campaign, contributing to its success.
The launch of the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024” campaign represents a significant step towards promoting water conservation and sustainability in India.
