https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The ‘Jal Prahari’ of Assam Who’s Ensuring Every Drop of Water is Put to Good Use 

Indian Masterminds Stories

An IAS officer from Assam has been earning accolades and been in news for her water conservation efforts. She is Ms. Varnali Deka, currently posted as District Commissioner, Kokrajhar. So far, she has been selected for three national awards. 

This year, she was felicitated by ‘Water Warrior’ and selected for Jal Prahari Samman 2022 for her individual efforts in creating awareness towards water conservation and involving community in her initiative. Besides this, her work in innovation and convergence towards water conservation during her stint as District Commissioner, Goalpara, will also be honoured at the central level.

During a conversation with Indian Masterminds, Ms. Deka talked in detail about her water conservation initiatives. 

RAINWATER HARVESTING MODEL

Ms. Deka says that as the Prime Minister talks about ‘Jan Bhagidari’ and ‘Jan Andolan’, her efforts were primarily focused on engaging community in all her works. She along with her team build up two models – on rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharged system – and showcased them in every Anganwadi in the district. While the models are up and working, they have also helped the public to replicate them. 

“You can’t achieve anything only with talking. One need to showcase in order to bring changes. The models in Anganwadi centres are doing the same. People have seen how they work and help in various ways, so they are eager to replicate,” she said.

CONVERGING DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS 

Another step she took was to converge all the departments related to water to make them work together so that both efforts and results are doubled. “As it is said, 1+1 makes 11. We worked on that only. Lot of departments do activities related to water conservation and water management but don’t speak to one another. Our district administration eased the communication between them. Earlier, nobody was practicing double cropping, but since we converged irrigation and agriculture department together and promoted double cropping, it brought great results in both conserving water and farming.” 

Ms. Deka during her visit to Chennai for learning Solid Waste Management

Under the officer’s leadership, irrigation rules and policies have also been eased up, which has gone a long way in encouraging people engaged in the agriculture sector to use water productively but sparingly. “The agriculture sector is the highest user and misuser of water. So, we are ensuring they use it to the last drop,” she summed up. 


Indian Masterminds Stories
Related Stories
NEWS
Jammu&Kashmir
48 Officers Transferred Across J&K in Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle, Md Ashraf Sheikh Made ADC, Awantipora
NHPC_resized_2
NHPC to Begin Investment in 750-MW Kuppa Pumped Storage Project in FY26
Coal Production (resized)
India's Coal Production Surpasses 1-Billion Tonne Milestone for FY 2024-25, Shows 4.99% Growth
Government of Tripura
Supreme Court Petition Calls for Urgent Appointment of DGP in Tripura Amid Rising Security Concerns
IAS-Ramvir
IAS Ramvir Appointed Addl Secy for Information & Public Relations, Punjab
kamya-mishra-resized
Kamya Mishra Resigns from IPS; Union Ministry Accepts Her Resignation, Leaves Notable Mark on Bihar Police in Short Tenure
Tea Board India
IRS Arunita Phukan Yadav's Deputation as Executive Director, Tea Board Extended for One Year
Coffee Board
IAS KG Jagadeesha Repatriated to Karnataka Cadre; M Muthukumar Takes Over as Secy of Coffee Board
Videos
Padmapani Bora IRS
The Rise of Assam as India’s Most Exciting Tourist Spot | Exclusive with IRS Padmapani Bora
Sajjan Yadav, IAS
The Policy Maker Who Turned India’s Vaccine Story and UPSC Struggles into Bestsellers
WhatsApp Image 2025-03-21 at 14.33
Training The Cops In Mastering The Technology Used By Criminals
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Jammu&Kashmir
48 Officers Transferred Across J&K in Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle, Md Ashraf Sheikh Made ADC, Awantipora
NHPC_resized_2
NHPC to Begin Investment in 750-MW Kuppa Pumped Storage Project in FY26
Videos
Padmapani Bora IRS
Sajjan Yadav, IAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-03-21 at 14.33
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT