‘Vande Ganga’ Water Conservation Campaign Will Transform the State — People’s Participation Essential: Revenue Minister

Minister Hemant Meena Reviews Campaign Implementation in Ajmer District

Revenue and Settlement Minister Shri Hemant Meena has said that the Vande Ganga Water Conservation Jan Abhiyan will prove to be a boon for drinking water, irrigation, and greenery in Rajasthan. He called the campaign a transformational movement for the state and emphasized the need to extend it from city wards and neighborhoods to every revenue village. He urged for maximum public engagement and awareness at all levels.

Minister Meena reviewed the campaign on Monday in Ajmer and directed Education Department officials to intensify awareness activities among students about water conservation and environmental consciousness. He instructed the Public Works Department to plant trees along roadsides and told urban local bodies to increase efforts in organizing shramdaan (voluntary labor), workshops, and public awareness programs.

The Minister made it clear that it is the responsibility of every department to organize more and more activities to ensure the state government’s objectives of water conservation and environmental protection reach every citizen.

He stressed that every officer is accountable for implementing schemes that mobilize public participation in water harvesting and ecological preservation, especially in dark zone areas where groundwater levels are critically low. He highlighted the need to select plant species suitable to the local environment as part of the “Hariyalo Rajasthan” (Greener Rajasthan) campaign.

Progress was presented regarding departmental assignments under the campaign. Updates included:

• Urban bodies working on wall paintings at Luv-Kush Vatika and cleaning of water sources.
• The Animal Husbandry Department taking up cleanliness drives in gaushalas (cow shelters) and supporting water conservation and plantation.
• The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) working on the cleaning of water tanks and other water sources.

The meeting also reviewed the progress and implementation status of various tasks. Ajmer District Collector Shri Lokbandhu informed that regular monitoring is being conducted for departmental activities. He stated that the Forest Department has prepared over 500,000 pits in pre-monsoon efforts for a large-scale plantation drive.

Minister Meena Inspects ‘Vande Ganga’ Labour Initiative in Ajmer

On Monday, Revenue Minister Hemant Meena inspected on-ground activities under the Vande Ganga Jan Abhiyan. He visited the shores of Ana Sagar Lake, where a three-day shramdaan campaign was underway and appreciated the active participation of both administration and citizens.

During his inspection, the Minister reviewed the cleanliness status around the lake and received updates on work done so far. He instructed municipal officers to complete all pending cleaning activities within the stipulated timeframe. He further directed that post-campaign maintenance, cleaning, and monitoring should be institutionalized in a planned and regular manner.

Shri Meena highlighted that Vande Ganga is a visionary initiative of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, aimed at promoting cleanliness, protection of water sources, and enhancing public awareness. He said the campaign should not be treated as a mere government initiative but seen as a people’s movement, requiring active involvement of every citizen. Clean and preserved water sources are crucial for ensuring water security for future generations, he added.

Present during the visit were Ajmer District Collector Shri Lokbandhu, Municipal Commissioner Shri Deshal Dan, and other senior officials.