This project is aimed to enhance rainwater conservation and ensure long-term water sustainability.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative in Surat on September 6, 2024. Under this initiative, around 24,800 rainwater harvesting facilities are being built across the state of Gujarat. This project is aimed to enhance rainwater conservation and ensure long-term water sustainability. It is led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti along with the Government of Gujarat.
Five important points of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari you must know:
The initiative aims to build around 24,800 rainwater harvesting facilities across the state of Gujarat.
The government has taken the decision to apply a ‘Whole-of-Society and Whole-of-Government’ approach. This highlights the importance of people’s participation along with the government.
India houses 18 percent of the World’s population but has only 4 percent of the world’s water resources. This initiative will boost the availability of water in various places of the state.
Groundwater Depletion is another main reason why such an initiative was taken. In around 256 districts across the country, the groundwater levels are critically low.
Around 21 percent of infectious diseases in India are caused by contaminated water. To reduce this number the initiative was taken.
What is the process of rainwater harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting involves collecting and storing water from surfaces like fields and rooftops. The water can be used in two ways. Either the water can be stored for purification and use or it can also be used to boost the groundwater levels. Some of the key components of the rainwater harvesting system include:
A place from where the water will be collected.
Pipes and cisterns to transport the water to the storage tank.
A flush system to throw the first water of the rain as it may contain contaminants.
To hold the water a tank must be attached to the system.
To remove the contaminants a filter system has to be installed.
Know more about similar government initiatives for water conservation in India.
National Water Mission: This initiative was initiated by the government with the aim of conserving water, reducing wastage, ensuring equal water distribution, and promoting sustainable conservation of water resources.
Jal Jeevan Mission: Also known as Har Ghar Jal, this initiative aims to provide fresh water to every household. It was launched in 2019.
Atal Bhujal Yojana: This is a groundwater management initiative flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 95th Birth anniversary. Atal Bhujal Yojana was aimed at improving groundwater management in seven states, Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Mission Amrit Sarovar: With this initiative, the government aims to construct or rejuvenate 75 water bodies in every district of the country.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0: This mission includes a provision in which the government aims to take necessary steps for water conservation while ensuring less waste.
