WATER REVOLUTION- Projects & Initiatives in India

The landscape of India is diversified; from snow-capped mountains in the north to vast open plains, and arid hot deserts all of which are surrounded by mighty flowing rivers. With growing modernization and civilization the ecology has been disrupted to an extent where the need to revive the blue planet and bring it back to its original form has arisen. Water has been a global concern in recent years and the government has responded to the demand for water conservation by launching a number of water conservation programmes.

One of the most popular projects is ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ launched in 2019. It was a nationwide water conservation campaign that aimed at citizens’ participation to promote water conservation at the grass-root level. With the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission, 4 crore new families gained access to piped drinking water, which was only possible through the participation of the public and local governance.

‘Jeevika Project’ aimed at conserving the discharge from perennial water bodies. The primary objective was to utilize innovative water harvesting structures for access to untapped perennial sources, thereby expanding irrigation potential, and encouraging effective water use for irrigation. “Catch the rain” campaign was launched in 2021 with the tagline- “Catch the rain, where it falls when it falls”. The project focused on the creation and maintenance of rainwater harvesting structures with the participation of people and stakeholders to ensure rainwater is stored.

Another well-known water conservation project was ‘The Jal Sanchay Project” implemented in the Nalanda district of Southern Bihar. The project’s approach was to build more check dams, remove silt from irrigation channels and traditional water bodies, and create awareness around water harvesting. ‘Namami Gange Programme’ the flagship programme of the Union Government was launched in June 2014 with the twin objective of effective removal of pollution, conservation, and rejuvenation of the national river Ganga. ‘AMRUT Project’ was started with the mission of rejuvenation and urban transformation to provide basic civic amenities like water supply and sewage connection, well maintained open spaces and greenery, and switching to public transportation for reducing pollution. The Rural Development Ministry has also taken various water conservation projects under ‘MGNREGA’ which include building check dams, ponds recharge, and renovating traditional water bodies.

When the reason for the devastating floods in Chennai in 2015 was placed on the encroachment of water bodies, the initiative of ‘100 Ponds in 50 days’ was taken. The idea was to revive 100 ponds in 50 days with public participation to restore the groundwater levels as it would assist in agriculture and drinking water shortage would never become a concern.

Similarly, brands like Harpic India also took the initiative of ‘Mission Paani’ for water conservation and increased awareness around public hygiene to ensure a healthy life for the citizens.

All of these water conservation efforts have not only improved the availability of water but have also made a positive impact on farm production and groundwater levels. The impact of water conservation is a sense of responsibility that we all need to take so that we are able to build a better tomorrow.

“When we take small steps and become responsible we bring a bigger change for the future.”

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