Public Participation Turns ‘Vande Ganga Water Conservation Public Campaign-2026’ into a Mass Movement

Citizens Respond Actively to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s Call

7.31 Lakh Programmes Held in Five Days

Nearly 30 Million People Participate

Jaipur, May 2026: Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guided by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, the ‘Vande Ganga Water Conservation Public Campaign-2026’ is rapidly evolving into a people’s movement across Rajasthan. Within just five days of its launch on the auspicious occasion of Ganga Dussehra (May 25) during the Adhik Maas period, nearly 30 million citizens have actively participated, demonstrating their commitment to water conservation. More than 731,000 programmes related to water conservation and environmental awareness have already been organized across the state.

The campaign was inaugurated by the Chief Minister through water worship (Jal Pujan) and Deep Daan ceremonies at Bisalpur Dam in Tonk, Bandh Baretha Dam in Bharatpur, and Sujan Ganga. Since then, the campaign has reached villages, towns, and cities throughout the state. Citizens have enthusiastically participated in cleaning wells, stepwells, ponds, and other water bodies, undertaking voluntary labour (Shramdaan), rainwater harvesting activities, water awareness meetings, morning rallies, and Kalash Yatras. Farmers are also being educated about rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and modern irrigation techniques.

Equal Participation of Women

As of May 29, a total of 731,421 programmes had been organized under the campaign. These include the cleaning of 92,150 water sources and 42,015 government buildings, 52,934 Shramdaan activities, and the digging of 36,822 pits for plantation under the Hariyalo Rajasthan Campaign.

In addition, 8,642 new development works have been initiated, while 21,410 completed projects have been inspected and inaugurated. The campaign has also witnessed 32,437 Kalash Yatras, 13,886 water awareness meetings and morning rallies, 12,669 Gram Sabha meetings, and 4,215 meetings and seminars. Furthermore, 413,910 locations hosted activities such as worship ceremonies, street plays, and competitions.

A total of 29,975,255 citizens, including 15,676,363 women, have actively participated in these activities, highlighting strong community involvement and equal participation by women.

‘No Plastic Day’ to Be Observed Alongside Water Conservation Activities

On May 31, activities such as Vande Ganga morning marches, rallies, cycle rallies, Shramdaan, water service programmes, desilting of water harvesting structures, cleaning of cattle water troughs and stepwells, installation of bird water pots, repair and cleaning of water sources, lamp-lighting ceremonies, cleaning of statues of great personalities, and plastic waste disposal drives will be undertaken as part of No Plastic Day.

New work orders under the AMRUT 2.0 Scheme will also be issued, while completed projects will be inspected and inaugurated. Water service programmes will be organized at railway stations, bus stands, hospitals, and major intersections.

Recognition for Excellence in Solar Energy

On June 1, approvals for sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, farm ponds, and pipelines will be issued. Agricultural workshops and exhibitions will also be organized. Progressive farmers will share innovations during Kisan Chaupals, while individuals and organizations excelling in the solar energy sector will be honoured.

Special water prayer ceremonies for farmers’ welfare will be conducted at Amrit Sarovars, major lakes, and dams.

On June 2, the Water Resources Department will organize worship ceremonies and public participation programmes at rivers, major and medium dams, reservoirs, and canals. Events such as Catch the Rain and community water conservation initiatives will also be held. Foundation stones for new projects will be laid, and land worship ceremonies conducted. Activities under the Karmabhoomi Se Matrubhoomi Campaign will include inspections, inaugurations, and approvals for new works.

Run for Environment on June 4

On June 3, district administrations will organize innovative and special programmes at identified locations and undertake cleanliness drives around transformers.

On June 4, districts across Rajasthan will host Run for Environment events. Rooftop rainwater harvesting structures in government offices will be cleaned, and preparations for roadside plantation drives will be undertaken. Awareness activities such as essay writing, slogan writing, painting competitions, sports events, and street plays will also be organized.

Special Programmes on World Environment Day

On June 5, World Environment Day, activities will include cleaning water harvesting structures in forest areas, distributing Tulsi saplings, conducting cleanliness drives in nurseries, and creating eco-friendly art installations at selected sites.

District authorities will assess the need and availability of STP/CETP plants for treating wastewater flowing into rivers and drains and prepare proposals accordingly. Citizens will be encouraged to avoid the use of single-use plastics and will be administered environmental protection pledges.

The campaign will conclude with district-level closing ceremonies, during which outstanding contributors will be honoured with the “Jal Gaurav Samman” award.

Achievements of the 2025 Campaign

Notably, during the Vande Ganga Water Conservation Public Campaign-2025, more than 25.3 million citizens, including 13.2 million women, participated in activities at over 102,100 locations. The campaign generated 247.4 million person-days of employment.

More than 34.2 million plantation pits and 12,222 magic pits/soak pits were dug under the Hariyalo Rajasthan and Swachh Bharat Mission initiatives. Under the Karmabhoomi Se Matrubhoomi Campaign, 4,560 recharge shafts were constructed. Additionally, 73,900 government offices and more than 42,200 water sources were cleaned.

The campaign also saw the initiation of 5,600 new projects, inspection and inauguration of 18,900 completed works, and the organization of 9,800 Kalash Yatras, 6,800 morning rallies, 13,600 Gram Sabhas, 6,000 Chaupals, and 14,800 meetings and seminars, making it one of the largest public participation initiatives focused on water conservation and environmental awareness in the state.