Bhopal: In a major recognition of grassroots water conservation efforts, Khandwa district has secured the first position in Madhya Pradesh’s flagship Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan, followed by Raisen in second place and Balaghat in third. The rankings, released on Friday by the Madhya Pradesh State Employment Guarantee Council, assess performance across a range of initiatives aimed at conserving rainwater and rejuvenating traditional water bodies.
The three-month campaign, initiated by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav from Ujjain on Gudi Padwa (March 30), concluded in Khandwa on June 30, with measurable success across the state.
Top Performing Districts in Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan
- Khandwa: 92.50% (Rank 1)
- Raisen: 92.35% (Rank 2)
- Balaghat: 87.56% (Rank 3)
These districts led in both implementation quality and scale of water conservation infrastructure, including the construction of farm ponds, Amrit Sarovars, and recharge pits.
Special Recognition in Farm Pond Construction
Districts were awarded in two categories – A (up to 4 districts) and B (5 or more districts) – for excellence in farm pond construction under the campaign.
- Anuppur stood out in Category A, reflecting impactful work despite limited administrative scope.
- Balaghat excelled in Category B, demonstrating widespread community engagement in large-scale water conservation.
Janpad Panchayats Honoured at Development Block Level
Awards were also announced for Janpad Panchayats based on the number of Gram Panchayats in their jurisdiction–
- Category A (≤70 Gram Panchayats) – Birsa Janpad Panchayat of Balaghat district was recognized for outstanding efforts.
- Category B (≥71 Gram Panchayats) – Pushparajgarh Janpad Panchayat of Anuppur district earned accolades for its high-impact initiatives.
Campaign Achievements Across Madhya Pradesh
Over the three-month duration of the Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan, the state reported remarkable achievements–
- 84,930 farm ponds constructed or under construction
- 1,283 Amrit Sarovars created or revived
- 1,04,294 recharge pits built
- Irrigation potential created for over 1.67 lakh hectares
These initiatives are expected to boost water availability, enhance agricultural productivity, and promote sustainable rural livelihoods.
Chief Minister’s Vision for Water Resilience
The campaign was launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, who emphasized community participation, sustainability, and revival of traditional water systems as central themes. The launch from Baba Mahakal’s city and the concluding ceremony in Khandwa symbolized the spiritual and practical significance of water in the cultural and agricultural life of Madhya Pradesh.
Officials highlighted that the campaign aligns with the government’s larger vision of “Jal Shakti” empowerment and climate-resilient infrastructure in rural areas.
