Gandhinagar: In a major push for water conservation, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Campaign – Jal Sanchay Janbhagidari 2.0, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Catch the Rain’ initiative. The campaign aims to strengthen water storage, rejuvenate groundwater levels, and promote rainwater harvesting across Gujarat.
The campaign will run until 31 May 2026, with focused activities in every taluka of the state.
Massive Water Conservation Efforts Across Gujarat
Under the campaign, each taluka will work on deepening 10 ponds, improving rainwater harvesting, and increasing groundwater recharge. Six government departments — Water Resources, Water Supply, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam, Rural Development, Forest & Environment, and Urban Development — will collaborate with local communities to implement the initiative.
Key activities include:
- Deepening existing lakes and ponds
- Removing silt from check dams and water bodies
- Repairing damaged check dams and canals
- Rainwater harvesting in farms, rooftops, and forests
- Maintenance of drinking water sources, intake structures, and tanks
- Cleaning lakes, rivers, and surrounding areas
- Removing invasive vegetation like wild acacia to improve river flow
Campaign Kickstarts in Bhat Village, Gandhinagar
CM Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the campaign by deepening a lake in Bhat Village, Gandhinagar. Post-renovation, the lake’s storage capacity will increase to 2.01 lakh cubic feet, ensuring better water availability in the future.
The initiative builds on Gujarat’s ongoing water conservation programs since 2018. Over the past eight years (2018–2025):
- 39,542 ponds were deepened
- 26,544 check dams were desilted
- 82,240 km of canals were cleaned
These efforts enhanced the state’s water storage capacity by 139,959 lakh cubic feet and generated 2.1 crore man-days of employment.
Strong Government and Community Participation
The launch event was attended by State Minister for Water Resources Ishwar Singh Patel, MP Hasmukhbhai Patel, MLA Alpeshbhai Thakor, Gandhinagar Mayor Miraben Patel, and senior officials from multiple departments, highlighting the collaborative approach of the campaign.
The Sujalam Sufalam Jal Campaign 2.0 emphasizes community participation, sustainable water management, and climate resilience, aiming to make Gujarat a model state for water conservation in India.
