Raipur: Chhattisgarh has been given a key responsibility at a national departmental summit organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan in New Delhi, bringing together Water Resources Ministers and senior officials from across the country.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will deliver the concluding presentation of the national session on ‘Catch the Rain’ – Water Conservation and Jan Bhagidari (People’s Participation).
The Chief Minister will present the outcomes of discussions held under Theme-2, along with experiences and best practices shared by states during the national summit. In the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sai will also place before the Prime Minister, ministers and senior officials a set of consensus-based and time-bound action points for strengthening water conservation across the country.
Chhattisgarh to Showcase Water Conservation and Jan Bhagidari Models
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai reached New Delhi on Tuesday evening to participate in the concluding session of the summit on Wednesday.
During the session, Chhattisgarh will showcase its initiatives related to:
- Water conservation and rainwater harvesting
- Water storage and groundwater recharge
- Innovative water management models
- Community participation in water conservation
- State-level best practices that can be replicated across India
The state’s participation comes as the Centre continues to focus on strengthening water security through community-led conservation efforts.
Over 24 Lakh Water Conservation Structures Registered in Chhattisgarh
The national ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign, launched following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2021 call to conserve water wherever and whenever rain falls, has evolved into a major public participation movement.
The Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign has recorded significant progress in its various phases.
Key figures from the campaign include:
- First phase: Against a target of 10 lakh structures, 27.6 lakh water conservation structures were created.
- Second phase: Against a target of one crore structures, more than 1.5 crore structures were recorded.
- Current national target: Two crore new water conservation structures by May 31, 2027.
- Chhattisgarh: More than 24.07 lakh water conservation structures have been recorded under JSJB 2.0.
Chhattisgarh has emerged as one of the leading states in the national water conservation initiative.
Koriya’s ‘5 Percent Model’ Gains National Recognition
One of Chhattisgarh’s notable water conservation initiatives is the ‘5 Percent Model’, which originated in Koriya district.
Under the model, farmers voluntarily dedicate 5% of their land for developing water recharge structures. The initiative aims to improve groundwater recharge and strengthen local water availability through community participation.
The model has gained recognition at the national level as an example of how voluntary participation by farmers can contribute to long-term water conservation.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai Highlights People’s Participation
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the responsibility given to Chhattisgarh at the national platform is a recognition of the efforts of people who have worked to conserve water in their villages.
He highlighted the role of farmers, women and youth in turning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Catch the Rain’ call into a people’s movement in the state. Sai emphasised that water security will be an important foundation for achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.
The state’s presentation at the national summit will focus on how water conservation, innovation and community participation can collectively strengthen India’s water security.
