Save Every Drop of Water, Our Future Depends on Water : Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav emphasized the significance of water, stating that "Water is life, and we must save every drop. Our future is secure only through water conservation." He called for extensive activities under the 'Jal Ganga Jal Sanvardhan Abhiyan' to promote water conservation. The campaign aims to raise public awareness and actively engage various government departments, social organizations, and the general public in conservation efforts.

Dr. Yadav issued these directives during a meeting at Samatva Bhavan (Chief Minister’s Residence). The Jal Ganga Jal Sanvardhan Abhiyan will commence on March 30 (Gudi Padwa) and continue for three months until June 30, 2025.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain, Additional Chief Secretary of Water Resources Dr. Rajesh Rajoura, Additional Chief Secretary of Forests Shri Ashok Barnwal, Additional Chief Secretary of Horticulture Shri Anupam Rajan, Principal Secretary of Panchayat & Rural Development Smt Deepali Rastogi, Principal Secretary of Finance Shri Manish Rastogi, and other senior officials.

Expanding Participation for Effective Water Conservation

The Chief Minister discussed the strategy in detail with senior officials and directed all departments to prioritize water conservation projects and involve as many people as possible. He stated that the Jal Ganga Jal Sanvardhan Abhiyan would help address the state's water crisis and ensure water security for future generations.

Key Measures for Water Conservation

Dr. Yadav stressed the importance of comprehensive water conservation activities, including Tree plantation and revival of water sources, Awareness programs in villages on water conservation, Encouragement of rainwater harvesting projects, Community involvement in conservation efforts, Establishment of water kiosks (pyaau) at major public places in rural and urban areas, Launching educational campaigns in schools to raise awareness among children, Regular maintenance of water tanks in schools to ensure clean drinking water for students, Construction of small dams and ponds in rural areas to preserve river streams, and Promotion of organic farming and plantation of fruit-bearing trees near water bodies.

Campaign Launch & Execution

The state-level Jal Ganga Jal Sanvardhan Abhiyan will be launched on March 30 (Vikram Samvat New Year) from the Shipra River in Ujjain. The 90-day campaign will conclude on June 30, 2025. Over 12 departments, including Water Resources, Narmada Valley Development, Environment, Urban Development, Public Health Engineering, School Education, Horticulture, and Agriculture, will collaborate. The campaign theme is "Water Source Conservation & Augmentation through Public Participation."

PM Modi’s Water Conservation Mission Turns into a Public Movement

CM Yadav emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s water conservation initiative has evolved into a national movement. Madhya Pradesh is committed to implementing the "Farm Water in Farms, Village Water in Villages" principle. He directed officials to document all rivers in the state to facilitate the reintroduction of aquatic species like crocodiles, gharials, and turtles. He also proposed exploring the possibility of introducing dolphins in the Narmada River for conservation purposes.

50,000 New Farm Ponds to Be Constructed

The campaign will focus on historical, cultural, and religiously significant water bodies. Renovation of temple-associated water sources will be done with the involvement of saints, public representatives, local communities, and administrative officers.

Under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, the Panchayat & Rural Development Department has set a target of constructing 1,000 new ponds with an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore. So far, 300 locations have been identified for pond construction, and the remaining will be finalized using GIS technology by March 30.

Additionally, Rs 100 crore will be allocated to build 50,000 new farm ponds to support irrigation for small and marginal farmers. The department aims to construct 1 lakh farm ponds by 2025.

River Conservation & Watershed Development

The campaign will focus on watershed development for over 50 rivers in the state, ensuring uninterrupted river flows. Measures like gabion structures, trenches, plantations, check dams, and pond construction will be implemented with community participation. Organizations like Art of Living will also be involved.

A mobile app will be used to map the Narmada Parikrama route and plan water conservation and plantation activities under MNREGA.

1 Lakh "Jaldoots" (Water Ambassadors) to Be Trained Across the State

The government will ensure public participation by training 1 lakh Jaldoots (water ambassadors) at the village level to oversee maintenance and rejuvenation of water structures. Outstanding contributors will receive certificates and awards.

Additionally, soak pits will be promoted to prevent sewage water from contaminating water sources.

90 Small & Medium Irrigation Projects to Be Inaugurated in 90 Days

The Panchayat & Rural Development Department and Water Resources Department have outlined plans for Marking all canals on village maps as government property, Removing encroachments from dams and canals, Installing milestone markers at the endpoints of canals, Cleaning 40,000 km of canal systems using MNREGA, Preventing seepage in reservoirs through puddling and necessary repairs Reinforcing and repairing pond embankments and structures like stop dams, barrages, weirs, and sluice walls, Creating buffer zones along water structures to prevent encroachment, and Renovating and maintaining traditional stepwells, ponds, and check dams.

Achievements of Jal Ganga Jal Sanvardhan Abhiyan 2024

During the 2024 campaign (June 5 – June 30) Rs 1,056 crore was spent on 38,851 new water conservation projects, Rs 302 crore was used for 21,577 renovation projects, 5,672 old stepwells and wells were restored, 3,751 new wells were constructed for Rs 93 crore, 7,709 ponds were built/renovated at a cost of Rs 616 crore, 2,925 check dams & stop dams were developed for Rs 119 crore, 7,158 recharge pits & shafts were constructed, and Rs 458 crore was allocated for more than 30,000 conservation projects .

The Jal Ganga Jal Sanvardhan Abhiyan 2025 aims to build upon these achievements, ensuring a water-secure future for Madhya Pradesh.