Guna, Madhya Pradesh: Guna Municipal Council has been honored at the 6th National Water Awards ceremony for its outstanding efforts in rainwater harvesting and public participation initiatives. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The accolade recognizes Guna’s position among India’s top 50 urban local bodies for innovative and effective water management programs. Central Water Minister C.R. Patil and Urban Administration & Development Commissioner Shrikant Bhodve were also present to congratulate the team.
Exceeding Targets with Community Participation
Under the Central Water Ministry’s “Catch the Rain” initiative, Guna Municipal Council went beyond set targets by implementing 2,231 geo-tagged rainwater harvesting systems across government, private, and educational institutions. The council also rejuvenated existing wells, tanks, and other traditional water bodies, ensuring efficient water replenishment in urban areas.
To execute these projects, a dedicated team was formed to survey government buildings, private colonies, schools, colleges, hostels, and multi-story buildings. Post-survey, the team, in collaboration with local communities, installed new systems and repaired existing ones, thereby strengthening water conservation practices across the city.
Recognition Across Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh emerged as a leader in public participation-driven water conservation. In the South Zone, the East Nimar district secured the first prize in Category 1 for the “Catch the Rain” initiative. Guna was awarded second rank in Category 3 for urban local bodies, alongside other top-performing districts including Betul, Dhar, Dewas, Seoni, and Khargone.
The awards, divided into five zones, encourage districts to create a minimum of 10,000 artificial groundwater recharge and storage structures. For northeastern and hilly states, the target is 3,000, while urban municipalities nationwide are expected to implement at least 10,000 such structures. These include rooftop rainwater harvesting systems, as well as rejuvenation of lakes, ponds, and step-wells.
Promoting Water Awareness and National Initiatives
Launched in 2018, the National Water Awards aim to recognize individuals, organizations, and institutions for their exemplary efforts in water management, conservation, and public awareness. For 2024, the 6th edition of the awards received 751 applications, which were evaluated by expert committees, including the Central Water Commission and the Central Ground Water Board. A total of 46 winners were selected across 10 categories, including best state, best district, best urban body, best NGO, and best individual contributor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Water-Rich India” underpins these awards, seeking to encourage citizens and institutions to adopt best practices in water conservation and management.
Guna Sets an Example in Urban Water Management
Guna Municipal Council’s achievement highlights the importance of community-driven water initiatives and the impact of organized local governance in addressing water challenges. By integrating modern rainwater harvesting techniques with traditional water conservation practices, Guna serves as a model for other urban bodies across the country.
This recognition not only reinforces Madhya Pradesh’s leadership in public water conservation but also motivates other municipalities to replicate Guna’s approach for a sustainable and water-secure future.
