Kumar Bahukhandi
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the urgent need for water conservation by adopting the “reduce, reuse, recharge, and recycle” approach to secure India’s water future.
During the launch of the “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari” initiative in Gujarat, Modi highlighted India’s limited freshwater resources, with only 4 per cent of the global supply. He stressed the impact of water scarcity and climate change on people’s lives and urged innovative water-saving technologies and practices like drip irrigation.
“Water can only be saved when its misuse ends, consumption is reduced, water is reused, water sources are recharged and contaminated water is recycled,” he said.
Modi also praised state efforts to incentivise water-efficient crops and called for nationwide collaboration on water conservation.
He pointed to the success of initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission, which has brought piped water to millions of households, and the creation of 60,000 Amrit Sarovars under the Jalshakti Abhiyan. He underscored the importance of public participation and local initiatives in ensuring a water-secure future. “Water conservation is not just a matter of policies but also social commitment,” he said and added, “We must promote traditional knowledge, like creating ponds near fields and recharge wells, alongside new technologies.”
Explaining the strength of public participation, Modi underlined that the work on Amrit Sarovar started in every district during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and has resulted in construction of more than 60,000 Amrit Sarovars in the country today.
“Similarly, the Atal Bhujal Yojana also involved the responsibility of villagers in managing water resources for recharging groundwater. Further, the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign, started in 2021, has a large number of stakeholders involved today,” he said.
Speaking of the “Namami Gange” initiative, Modi underlined that it had become an emotional resolution for citizens and people are giving up old traditions and irrelevant customs to ensure the cleanliness of rivers.
The Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative seeks to conserve water with a strong emphasis on community partnership and ownership. It is driven by a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach.
Building on the success of the Jal Sanchay initiative led by the Gujarat government, the ministry of jal shakti, in collaboration with the state government, is launching the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative in Gujarat. The Gujarat government has endeavoured to mobilise citizens, local bodies, industries and other stakeholders to ensure a water-secure future.
Under this programme approximately 24,800 rainwater harvesting structures across the state are being constructed with community partnership. These recharge structures will be instrumental in enhancing rainwater harvesting and ensuring long-term water sustainability.
( Source : D C )
