Unique Confluence of World Environment Day and Ganga Dashami: Rajasthan to Observe Jal Swavlamban Fortnight – CM Bhajanlal Sharma

Jaipur – Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma has announced that the state government is firmly committed to making Rajasthan a clean and healthy state through strong policy decisions focused on water and environmental conservation. Speaking at a meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence, he highlighted the unique confluence of World Environment Day (5 June) and Ganga Dashami this year, which the state will mark with a Jal Swavlamban Fortnight – an intensive campaign to promote rainwater harvesting, cleanliness of water bodies, and water self-reliance.

The fortnight-long campaign, running from 5 June to 20 June, will involve public participation at the grassroots level, with activities reaching every village and town to turn the initiative into a people’s movement. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of ensuring complete community involvement in all activities planned during this fortnight.

Events to Include Worship, Awareness Drives, and Clean-Up Campaigns

Shri Sharma stated that during this campaign, all departments will host various events at water sources, rivers, streams, and ponds in every village and city. These will include Kalash Yatras (ritual processions), worship ceremonies, cleanliness drives, and awareness campaigns. In addition, several new water conservation structures will be inaugurated, and existing ones will be dedicated to the public. The state will also launch 10 new watershed development projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).

Making Water Conservation a Mass Movement

Emphasizing the theme ‘Everyone’s Effort, Everyone’s Participation,’ CM Sharma called for widespread promotion of the Jal Swavlamban campaign. He urged elected representatives, NGOs, and the general public to actively participate and support water conservation by contributing to public institutions, setting up drinking water services at railway stations, and installing water feeders for birds. He added that the state government will recognize and honor such individuals and organizations for their contributions.

He also mentioned that under the ‘Karmabhoomi se Matribhumi’ initiative, recharge and water conservation structures are being developed through crowdfunding by philanthropists, NRIs from Rajasthan, and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funding.

Focus on Clean Water and Sanitation

The campaign will also focus on the cleaning and repair of drinking water sources, along with public awareness campaigns to promote water-saving practices. Shri Sharma directed officials to organize cleanliness drives in government institutions, including hospitals, and to encourage CSR-supported community involvement.

Tree Plantation Drive for the Upcoming Monsoon

The CM recalled last year’s record plantation of over 7 crore saplings under the Chief Minister’s Tree Plantation Campaign and Hariyalo Rajasthan Mission. He announced a target of 11 crore saplings this year and instructed officials to start preparations for the upcoming monsoon plantation drive.

Yoga Day to Be Celebrated at Heritage Sites

Highlighting the significance of International Yoga Day on 21 June, CM Sharma said that yoga plays a vital role in public health. Given Rajasthan’s globally admired tourism and cultural heritage, he suggested that this year’s Yoga Day celebrations be integrated with the state’s cultural and heritage sites. Yoga sessions will be organized at prominent tourist locations in every division and district, as well as at block-level centers, gram panchayats, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and both government and private institutions.

He also issued directives regarding the upcoming 300th birth anniversary celebrations of Ahilyabai Holkar.

Senior officials from various departments attended the meeting, while the Chief Secretary, Divisional Commissioners, and District Collectors joined via video conference.