Historic Success in Water Conservation in Gadchiroli under the “Silt-Free Dam, Silt-Rich Farms” Campaign – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised the Gadchiroli district for achieving remarkable progress in water conservation through the “Silt-Free Dam, Silt-Rich Farms” campaign. Despite a shortened working window due to the early arrival of the monsoon by 20 days this year, effective coordination and consistent efforts by the district administration led to a historic achievement.

Calling it inspirational for the entire state, CM Fadnavis stated, “Gadchiroli has set an ideal example by creating a record amount of water storage in a short time. This is not just about numbers—it is a concrete step towards ensuring water security in rural areas.”

In 97 villages across the district, water reservoirs were constructed, creating a storage capacity of 64.5 crore (645 million) litres in the fiscal year 2025–26. This has ensured reliable water availability for thousands of residents. Notably, a total of 6,44,601 cubic meters of silt was removed this year alone—eight times more than the combined output of the previous two years. Various social organizations and community groups also contributed significantly to this success.

Fadnavis commended the role of the district administration, especially the District Collector of Gadchiroli, for their proactive involvement. “This accomplishment clearly shows that when district officials, gram panchayats, local bodies, and citizens work together, no goal is unattainable,” he said.

He emphasized that strategic planning and technical guidance can lead to giant leaps in water conservation. “This successful model from Gadchiroli will be studied and replicated across Maharashtra,” he added. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that such initiatives will bring sustainability to agriculture, rural life, and the environment through effective water management.